Going corporate

[OneHandFlapping]

I'm considering smartening up my work wardrobe, and I'd love a couple of super-smart trouser suits. The nice ones are all dry clean only.

How do you manage the dry cleaning? I hate wearing the same trousers more than one day in a row without washing, but my dry cleaning bills are going to be phenomenal - not to mention the extra clothes I'm going to need to buy to wear while the others are being cleaned (no same day dry cleaners where I am, and not that are open before 7 in the morning, and after 7 at night),

If you buy decent suits you should be able to wear them several times between wears (sponge off any marks). Hang them up at the end of the day - not squished inside your wardrobe, let them air on the back of the door or something. Iron again if necessary the evening after.

No suit will last well with repeated washing, and unless you buy 8 pairs of trousers for each jacket, it will soon start to look mismatched as the trousers soften and fade disproportionately to the jacket.

Wool suits don't need dry cleaning after every wear but you should always clean the trousers and jackets together otherwise as pp says they wear disproportionately.

Airing helps as pp said.
Also try to wear blouses that have sleeves, etc as you won't dirty the jacket as much then.

Several times between wears, for trousers? Really? Don't they smell manky?

Why would be they smell if you wear them a couple of times? The only time I have ever done this was when working in the Middle East in summer. Having to wash every time is a bit excessive if in more mild climates.

Wear big knickers not a thong. Trousers do need to be wool.

Hmm - might have to wear shorts underneath. Not that I ever wear the cheesewire that is a thong!