A wrinkled dress shirt ruins the rest of the outfit. Ironing one takes about five minutes once you know the order, and the order matters more than most people think.
The Gentleman's Gazette walks through the professional method: start with the smallest, most detailed parts (cuffs and collar) and work outward to the large flat sections (front and back). This way you never re-wrinkle an area you already pressed.
The shirt should be slightly damp, not soaking wet and not bone dry. If it is dry, spray it with a water bottle and seal it in a plastic bag for 10-15 minutes to let the moisture distribute evenly.
Check the fabric label and set your iron to the right temperature. Cotton needs high heat. Polyester blends need lower heat or you will melt the fabric. Check for stains before ironing - heat sets stains permanently.
Position the ironing board with the narrow end pointing left if you are right-handed. Fill the iron with distilled water - tap water leaves mineral deposits that can stain your shirts and clog the steam holes over time.
Make sure the ironing board cover and the bottom of the iron are both clean. Any residue will transfer to the shirt when you press.
Start with the cuffs. Iron the inside first, then flip and do the outside. Always iron from the edges toward the center to avoid creating wrinkles at the seams.
For sleeves, lay them flat on the board and iron the middle section. Avoid pressing the top edge unless you want a military-style crease. Use short, controlled strokes with firm pressure rather than long sweeping motions.
Flip the collar up and remove the collar stays if they are removable. Iron the underside first, working from each end toward the middle. Then flip and iron the outside the same way - outside edges to center.
For the yoke (the panel across the shoulders), drape one side over the narrow end of the board and press it flat. Move to the middle, then the other side.
Lay the button placket face-down and iron it from the back first. Flip it over and press between the buttons using the tip of the iron. On a striped shirt, tap the iron down and lift rather than sliding - sliding will make the stripes wavy.
The front is the most visible part of the shirt, so take extra time here. Make sure the area around the armholes and near the collar is wrinkle-free.
Drape one side of the back over the board and iron from the yoke downward. If the shirt has back pleats, align them and press over them so they stay crisp. Rotate the shirt and repeat for the middle and other side.
When finished, put the shirt on a hanger immediately and button the top button. Hanging it while it is still warm lets it cool into shape without new wrinkles forming.
