by Victoria Dorain

Created on: November 16, 2011   Last Updated: March 02, 2012

A person in military uniform is a sight to see. Time spent training, strength, fitness, professional mastery and honor - all are exuded by the look of sturdy, squeaky clean, ironed uniform and the look of creases on military pants only increases the awe. 

How does one arrive at such impeccable look, specifically those straight, sharp creases along the legs that visually elongate the entire figure? First of all, get inspired, discipline yourself, and get organized gathering all that is needed: iron board, iron, cheese cloth, soap, and slightly damp military pants fresh out of the drier.

Before pressing the pants, turn them inside out and be an artist for a change: using a piece of soap, draw lines, about one third of an inch wide, along the path of creases. You'll find the creases easily, because a pale trace of them usually remains even after washing. You might be surprised, but soap will stiffen, later, after you press the creases with hot iron, and will hold shape of the pants all day long, even if you go straight from the barracks to a party. Plus, a bit of soap will make you smell really fresh. I abstain from the starch, because there has to be certain saturation, and if you overdo, it might be seen through the fabric, or burn under iron, plus from sweat or humidity starch can grow bacteria and cause skin irritation. Soap, on another hand, has antibacterial properties.

If your pants are made of wool, cover them with cheese cloth prior to ironing. That will prevent extra shininess or even iron imprints on fabric. Those two make pants look drudgy and old. First of all iron the hip areas, around pockets, by placing only one layer of pants onto the edge of the ironing board. You can place a piece of sturdy heavy fabric or even a piece of cardboard between the pockets' insides and the outer, visible part of the pocket to avoid creating extra wrinkles or imprints on the face of the fabric. Turn the pants around the edge of a board gradually as you go until upper part of pants is ironed. Then only can you spread pants along the ironing board, making sure that seams are aligned one above another while front and back of the pants are facing the sides of the board. Check that fabric lies straight, allowing you to start pressing the creases. Iron one leg at the time starting with one on a bottom.

Proceed  to press the calf area, covering it with cheese cloth first, and you'll have creases sharp as a razor.  Move iron in slightly rounded movements along the back calf, from the knee to the ancle. That will create a modified contour, allowing the pants to repeat the shape of the calf muscle to some extent. Do the opposite to a front crease, also along the calf area, so the modified line is slightly inverted, and the garment does not resemble Sponge Bob Square Pants, accentuating instead properly aligned figure. Now finish off the remaining lines of creases above the knee, along the thigh and up to the waistband.

Wait now, do not wear the pants straight away, you'll ruin the work by creating unwanted wrinkles!  Let them hang a bit, 10-20 min., then unleash your great looks on unsuspecting onlookers. 

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