Butler Luxury's Professional Care Guide for Trousers

A diverse, stylish wardrobe is essential for today’s professionals. No matter how chic your blazer, suit jacket, or shirt might be, it's all for naught if your trousers do not follow suit. 

Fortunately, the experts at Butler Luxury have created a helpful, comprehensive care guide for your trousers. We'll cover everything you need to know about maintaining those pants, slacks, and breeches. Make sure you always look and feel your best by following the tips and tricks in this guide!

1. Understanding Dress Pant Fabrics

The most formal types of trousers derive from woolen blends or woven wool. However, this is only the beginning. 

Wool Dress Pants

Wool can be heavyweight or lightweight, which means these trousers exist for virtually every season. This material is a highly-durable fabric and needs more care from the user. Most wool pants will need to be dry cleaned after every four or five wears. 

When you're storing your wool pants, make sure to use mothballs or cedar chips to ward off moths. If you're looking for wool with the softest look and feel, search for trousers made from 120 wool or more. 

Rayon Dress Pants

Rayon is a remarkable material — ideal for those living in warmer climates. These stylish trousers boast a look and feel that almost mimics cotton. Similar to wool pants, rayon pants feature a design meant to be dry cleaned. 

Again, like wool pants, you don't have to wash rayon pants every time you wear them. Because rayon pants will crease easily, you can use a steamer between dry cleaning visits to keep your slacks looking fresh.

Polyester Dress Pants

Polyester blend pants boast wrinkle resistance and added durability, offering the best of both worlds. Polyester is regularly blended with other fibers to create blends. In addition to these desirable attributes, polyester-blend pants are much more affordable and can go through the regular wash cycle at home.

If you're looking to iron polyester or blend trousers at home, you can place a cloth between the iron and the pants to prevent your slacks from looking shiny.  

If you're not sure which pants suit you best, try reading our advice for buying dress pants.

2. A Closer Look at Dress Pants Options

Now that we've discussed popular dress pant materials let's look at the popular styles available for you to add to your closet — and you have many! Whether it's formal or business casual outfits, we'll show you how to get the most out of your workday choices.

Flat-Front Dress Pants vs. Pleated Front Dress Pants

If you have larger thighs or tend to carry additional weight toward the lower torso, you may prefer pleated trousers. A pleat or two can add a classic appeal for standard casual pants.

Pleated trousers, however, can create a bit too much noise on a more slender individual and are less common with pants for women. Flat-front pants seem to fit the bill much better for this body type. 

Dress Pant Cuffs

Most trousers will have a small band at the ankle - known as the cuff. Cuffs aren't always necessary but can add a flair of style and extra weight to the garment. This feature can help pull the pants straight at the bottom.

A well-fitted cuff should gently rest against the rear of the shoe and droop just over the front of the garment. 

Wide-Leg vs. Slim-Fit Dress Pants

When it comes to choosing between wide-leg vs. slim-fit trousers, it's much more than a matter of style. Different looks will work better on different body types. 

For instance, slim-fitting slacks are usually better suited for more slender individuals, while those who carry more weight on top may find wide-leg pants to add much-needed balance. 

Zipper vs. Button

When choosing trousers, make sure you pay attention to whether the slacks feature a zipper-fly vs. button-fly area. While some men do not feel strongly one way or the other, there are functional differences to consider.

Button fly trousers require a bit more effort to fasten and unfasten. On the other hand, zipper pants are more comfortable to use, making them a more suitable option for anyone with dexterity issues. For most, however, it's a matter of personal style. 

Slash vs. Slit Pockets

The majority of trousers and slacks will have angled pockets located on the sides, called slash pockets. Make sure to notice any slight variations with slit pockets located on the seat of the pants. Slacks will usually feature slit pockets that have or may not have a button closure.

Sometimes, only one pocket will have a button. Make sure you are okay with this style difference! Most importantly, make sure the types of pockets featured on the pants are best suited for you and your needs. 

Lining vs. No Lining

The lining is a detail that is commonly under-appreciated and overlooked on trousers and slacks. There is a range of reasons one would want to consider pants with or without lining. For instance, if you live in an area with a colder climate, trousers with lining may be the way to go. However, if you reside in warmer temperatures, you may want to forgo a lining altogether. 

The type of fabric will also dictate whether an interior lining is needed. Most pants made from wool have a lining that extends from the waist to the knees. If you prefer the smooth sensation of silk on your skin, you should undoubtedly look for a lining.

In addition to comfort, an added lining can help your slacks retain their shape by protecting the interior of the pants from wear. And finally, if you have a slimmer body type, the lining can add weight to the slacks, which can create a more flattering look. 

3. Cleaning & Caring for Your Dress Pants

Now that we've laid the foundation, let's move on to caring for your trousers. First things first, there is no one-size-fits-all, universal approach to managing your pants.

It is, however, up to you to find the best option. Understanding the level of care between wool and cargo pants is massive - and a case-by-case care mindset should take hold.

One of the best places to start, however, is the label. If the directions say the pants are machine washable and dictate unique care parameters, make sure you follow them!

If you're not near a washing machine, check out our 60-second stain removal solutions.

On the other hand, some trousers— like wool and rayon options — are designed for dry cleaning only. This fact means you should take the pants to a professional dry cleaner. There are relatively newer products that promise "At-Home Dry Cleaning,” but most manufacturers will strongly suggest against this. 

A third option is to hand-wash your trousers. No matter which method you're considering, it's of the utmost importance to check the clothing label and follow it. The clothing label is the only way to achieve the desired results time after time. 

4. Storing Your Dress Pants 

Because your trousers will spend more time in storage than being worn, you must store them the right way. Let's look at what you should and shouldn't do when storing your trousers. 

Plastic Bags Can Cause More Harm Than Good

Leaving those freshly dry cleaned trousers in that dry cleaning bag is a no-no! It can lead to staining, yellowing, mildew growth, and weakening your fibers. The changes in garment color come from an antioxidant used in creating the plastic bag called butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). When this chemical comes in contact with impurities in the air and moisture, it produces a yellowish pigment that transfers to the fabric. 

Even though you "dry" clean your trousers, this term is a misnomer because moisture is involved in cleaning your garments. In addition, the pressing of your pants to remove wrinkles uses steam. When you leave your clothes in the dry cleaning plastic bag, it traps all of this remaining moisture, leading to mildew growth and all of the other previously-mentioned problems.

It's not just dry cleaning bags that can cause problems after a professional treatment. You should avoid using any type of plastic or non-woven garment bag when storing garments to prevent similar issues. 

How to Properly Store Dress Pants for Short-Term 

If you are looking to store your trousers for typical everyday or every week wear, the best solution is to opt for premium trouser hangers from Butler Luxury. These pants hanger accessories are uniquely formulated to preserve the quality and integrity of trousers.

Storing your pants on trouser hangers will work toward preventing wrinkles and keeping your trousers on call. One of the best ways to hang your pants on trouser hangers is the tri-fold method. 

Long-Term Dress Pants Storage Solutions

Instead of leaving your trousers to fend for themselves in the plastic coffin, the best way to store your clothes is in a premium garment bag. Premium garment bags work to offer exceptional protection from humidity and will help ensure your trousers are wrinkle-free when you need them. 

These breathable, fabric garment bags will help promote circulation, critical to protecting your trousers. 

For the Environmentally Conscious

When placing them in storage, the worst enemies of your trousers are sunlight, temperature, moisture, and material-damaging insects. 

1) Heat and Sunlight Can Destroy Clothes

Heat can expedite the degradation of fabrics, while sunlight can actually fade the color of your trousers. Sun fading can occur in as little as a few hours, so you should be particularly careful when hanging a pair of trousers in the back of a vehicle. 

2) Moisture Causes Mold & Mildew

As we previously mentioned, moisture equals mildew and mold. Your closet is already a dark place with minimal air movement. You have a perfect recipe for disaster and decay if you add moisture. You can protect your trousers and other garments by making it a practice to circulate in the closet regularly.

3) Insects Like Fabric 

To prevent insects like moths from destroying your trousers, dry clean or wash them before long-term storage. Body oils, perfumes, natural sweat, and other daily environmental factors can discolor fabrics over time and welcome insects.

While traditional mothballs give off a noticeable scent, cedar and lavender blocks are natural solutions perfect for warding off moths and other insects. 

5. Tailoring Your Dress Pants

If you've invested money in a pair or multiple pairs of quality trousers, it only makes sense to forge a relationship with a tailor. Let's look at why a tailor can be your best friend and examine some of the critical services they offer.  

Tailoring a pair of your trousers is always worth the investment because it can save you from replacement. On the other hand, tailoring is an excellent solution for finding great deals on new or used trousers that may need a bit of tweaking.

Instead of bypassing a seriously discounted pair of trousers because they are too long, a tailor can evolve them into the perfect fit. 

1) Get Hemmed Up

Probably, the most basic service a tailor shop offers is a hem job. It's actually one of the least expensive and can make an enormous difference in the fit of your trousers.

A hem is when the tailor gets rid of the additional fabric at the base of your trousers. It immediately adds a cleaner, more put-together look. 

2) A Hem Let Down

While hemming involves neatly tapering the end of your dress slacks to reduce excess fabric, the hem let down is the opposite. It's where the tailor lets down a hem to provide you with extra length on a pair of slacks or trousers. This simple tailor service can transform a pair of on-sale or second-hand slacks from high water pants to a perfect fit. 

3) Is Your Waist Too Big or Small? 

Whether you have lost weight and your pants are now falling off, or you've gained a few pounds, and your favorite slacks look as if they're painted on you, a tailor can help. A tailor typically can either take the waist in or let it out to give you the space and comfort you deserve without using paint thinner. 

4) Need More Private Space?

If the crotch area of your trousers is too roomy or uncomfortably tight, your tailor can help. A good, experienced tailor will be able to find a comfortable medium quickly, so you can have the private space you deserve and feel good. 

5) Suspenders Are In!

One thing is for sure - suspenders are in. In addition to making a super chic statement with your style, suspenders will create the illusion of an elongated torso. In other words, they can make you look slimmer.

If you are looking to strap up and tap into this growing trend, your tailor can help by adding custom suspender buttons to your trousers. The alternative is to go for the clip-on suspenders (not as gentlemanly). 

6) Get Tapered Up

Another frequent service offered by tailors is tapering of the pant leg. When your pant legs are tapered, you can gain a slimmer-fitting dress pant around the calves that extends to the ankles.  

7) The List Goes On...

Most tailor shops will offer the following services as well: 

1. Align the creases of your trousers
2. Garment tears/hole repair
3. Waistband alterations to create new belt loop
4. Reduce pants to more than one size
5. Remove pleats
6. And more

6. Choosing the Right Trouser Hangers

When it comes to choosing the right trouser hanger, multiple options exist. You have plastic trouser hangers, wire trouser hangers, acrylic trouser hangers, luxury wooden hangers, and more colors than most of us know to exist. How do you know which one is the best for your trousers with so many options?

Fortunately, you're not alone, and the experts at Butler Luxury can help. Let's take a quick look at your options, and then we'll explain why Butler Luxury offers the best trouser hangers available on the market today. 

1) Plastic Trouser Hangers

These hangers come in a bevy of unique colors and can be instrumental if you want your closet to look like a rainbow troll's closet. The problem with plastic trouser hangers is that they are super flimsy and break easily. Because of this, plastic trouser hangers are likely to give way and leave your trousers crumpled in the corner or bunched on one side of the item. In either case, these options aren't ideal trouser hangers. 

2) Wire Trouser Hangers

If you're using wire hangers as trouser hangers, you should stop...immediately. Wire hangers are super cheap (if not free), extremely flimsy, and will buckle under the weight of a quality pair of trousers. When this happens, your pants will sag the middle of the wire hangers, causing wrinkles — if you're lucky. If you're not so fortunate, wire hangers can ruin your pants with snags and snares caused by jagged ends and rust damage.  

3) Acrylic Trouser Hangers

Acrylic trouser hangers are a modest improvement over wire and plastic hangers. Even better, these hangers can help your closet look like a retail store. However, acrylic options will also crack under the pressure or weight of a heavy pair of trousers — similar to plastic hangers. Yet, acrylic trouser hangers can be significantly more expensive than plastic hangers. 

4) Wooden Trouser Hangers by Butler Luxury Are the Best 

If you're looking for the best trouser hangers, Butler Luxury's wooden trouser hangers are simply in a class of their own. Each wooden trouser hanger comes engineered to provide the ultimate in garment care. Every accessory is meticulously crafted from solid Grade-A Beech Wood imported from Germany. 

Experts recognize this unique wood from around the world as the best and most reliable wood for trouser hangers and suit hangers alike. Engineered with "No Compromise" insight, Butler Luxury produces trouser hangers that will sustain the beautiful crease and finish of your best trousers — regardless of material.

5) Wooden Hangers with Premium Velvet Covered Trouser Bar

Even incredibly slick and soft materials such as Super 180's merino wool will confidently stick to the solid round of our trouser hangers — thanks to a velvet-covered bar. The extra-reliable, round shape of the bar is designed to never leave an impression on your trousers. This fact means, even if you've left your pants or trousers on our trouser hangers for weeks, you can expect them to look and feel fresh. 

6) Wooden Hangers for Pants of All Size

The long length of Butler Luxury trouser hangers is designed to accommodate any shape or size of slacks. And the extra thickness of the premium wood delivers a long-term storage solution for your best trousers. Butler Luxury trouser hangers are specially formulated to protect your pants like no other product available on the market.  

7. Shop Butler Luxury’s Quality Line of Trouser Hangers Today!

A proper trousers storage strategy is heavily reliant on the use of the right hangers. The correct shape, size, and type of wooden hangers help maintain the natural contour of your pants and prevent damage to your outfit.

Butler Luxury's line of trouser hangers protect your treasured formal pieces while in storage to keep them in top condition and ready to wear. We design, manufacture, and distribute luxury home items to a global market that consists of clothing designers, tailors, museums, and hotels that insist on the best. We're making that same collection of luxury hangers available to you - today!

We offer heavy-duty options for virtually every type of clothes hangers, including:

• shirt hangers
• coat hangers
• luxury suit hangers
• and more!

As you shop our selection, make it a priority to contact us today with any questions about caring for your garments. We're here to help!

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