Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is ironing essential to look polished?

113 replies

IsIroningEssential · 21/04/2025 10:57

Does anyone manage to pull off that styled, chic elevated look that I keep seeing on Instagram without ironing? Any tips to skip the ironing stage please? 🙈

Yabu - you need to iron everything
Yanbu - you don't need to iron

OP posts:
B1indEye · 21/04/2025 11:32

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2025 11:26

Really? Do you question everyone about their ironing habits?

My clothes are not creased, nor do I iron.

Show quote history

You aren't everyone, you'd have to be blind to not be able to tell in say an office full of men who had left the house with an ironed shirt and who hadn't

Without seeing a photo of you in an ironed outfit next to someone wearing the same clothes that had been ironed we can't say if you look different

Shallana · 21/04/2025 11:32

Some clothes you can get away with without ironing if you use an aired dryer. However, it you're tumble drying anything, or certain clothes such as chinos or cotton shirts will need to be ironed.

ArghhWhatNext · 21/04/2025 11:30

Totally agree with @Fliperty - it’s always non-ironers who say you can’t tell, but you absolutely can I’m afraid. Unless you’re wearing Lycra.
To be honest, just looking after your clothes properly makes you look better put together. Repairing saggy hems, sewing back loose buttons, hanging clothes on a suitable hanger etc

catin8oot5 · 21/04/2025 11:29

Get a steamer

FeelingLessTired · 21/04/2025 11:27

You need to iron everything to appear polished. Yes.

However in the case of some of us (ahem- me) even ironing does not entirely help.

luckylavender · 21/04/2025 11:27

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2025 11:16

You really don't need to iron.

I defy anyone to be able to tell the difference between ironed and unironed clothing once a person has left the house and driven/walked or travelled on public transport, unless it's something that creases easily but life's too short for anything that high maintenance.

You may think that & if so that's fine. But you can always tell

Gundogday · 21/04/2025 11:27

Crumpled clutches don’t look good, but I think it’s part of the package. Having good hair, shoes etc contributes, plus how you hold yourself. I follow an instragram blogger who gives ‘deportment’ tips, and simple things such as sitting up straight can make a difference.

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2025 11:26

Fliperty · 21/04/2025 11:23

Yeah, I’ve heard the argument before that ‘no one can tell if you don’t iron’. Always by non ironers. Unfortunately, you can always tell.

I use a steamer for refreshing clothes if they’ve got a bit crumpled and on new curtains. That might be an alternative?

Really? Do you question everyone about their ironing habits?

My clothes are not creased, nor do I iron.

Keirawr · 21/04/2025 11:24

Yes

Fliperty · 21/04/2025 11:23

Yeah, I’ve heard the argument before that ‘no one can tell if you don’t iron’. Always by non ironers. Unfortunately, you can always tell.

I use a steamer for refreshing clothes if they’ve got a bit crumpled and on new curtains. That might be an alternative?

Lifestooshort71 · 21/04/2025 11:17

...and a quick whizz with hair straighteners tidies up a crumpled collar or lapel

Bjorkdidit · 21/04/2025 11:16

You really don't need to iron.

I defy anyone to be able to tell the difference between ironed and unironed clothing once a person has left the house and driven/walked or travelled on public transport, unless it's something that creases easily but life's too short for anything that high maintenance.

Seeline · 21/04/2025 11:00

Yeh - if you're aiming for sleek and polished, you need to iron.

Unless you're wearing lining, but that never looks sleek and polished.