Women's dress slacks that dont have to be drycleaned or drycleaning alternatives

[PoppyField]

Does anyone know of a brand of not too expensive women's dress slacks that don't have to be drycleaned but still look very professional or any at home drycleaning alternatives?  It is mainly dress pants I am getting drycleaned and I do wear them multiple times before taking them in but would love to find a way to eliminate this monthly bill.  Thanks.

[hudsoncat]

Have you checked out your pants? After being asked this by a friend, I noticed that some of mine said dry clean recommended rather than dry clean only. Those I got brave enough that I have been washing them at home cold, gentle cycle and laying flat to dry. I've not yet noticed any different in them as far as fit/shape/wear. As with anything, YMMV, but might be worth a look! My friend dry cleans nothing, not matter what the tags says. I haven't gotten that brave yet!

[Ynari]

I have some Banana Republic slacks (from the thrift store) that are machine washable. TBH I shop at the thrift store, read the tags, and sometimes just throw things in the wash anyway (as mentioned - delicate/cold cycles, and air dried) They don't look as sharp as dry cleaned stuff, mostly because I don't iron them, but works for me.

In the costuming world, spraying with vodka is the way to get rid of bacteria without damaging the garment. I've been known to do that to delicate clothing and/or when I didn't feel like doing laundry that day.

[BlueHouse]

I throw a lot of things in the washer and dryer that say dry clean only.  I've ruined a few items, but more often than not, they're fine.  And for the ones I've ruined, I'm getting just as much use out of them as I would if they were sitting in my laundry bin waiting for me to eventually take them to the cleaners! 

You may want to try the Sejour brand at nordstrom. They're basically black chinos but with the right jacket they look like suit pants.  Wash and Dry.

[birdiegirl]

I usually get dress pants at Loft or Talbots (I need petites so find my choices are more limited).  Loft runs around $70-80/pair but they are always running sales for 40% of more.  Quality is ok - I find myself replacing them after about a year or so.  Had much better luck with pants from Talbots lasting for years but those generally run around $100+.  For any dress pants, I just hand wash in cold and hang to dry, have never bothered with dry cleaning. 

[herbgeek]

Lands End usually has work trousers at a reasonable price.  I bought some at least 10 years ago and they still look great.  They used to call them "commuter trousers" but since I haven't bought any in quite some time, I'm not sure what the current name is.

[MsPeacock]

Express "editor" or "columnist " pants are machine washable and hold up very well. They are the only dress pants I buy. They often have BOGO 50% off sales and coupons and such. 

[LouLou]

If your clothes say "dry clean" instead of "dry clean only," they do not have to be dry cleaned.  I wash on delicate with cold water and hang to dry.

If they say "dry clean only" you can use Dryel to dry clean in the dryer.  I have used that before.  No damage to the clothes.

[Penny McSave]

If you're looking for black slacks, I've had good luck with Target. They can withstand frequent washing and are under $30 a pair.

[momof2]

Wear the dress pants from Ann Taylor or Loft.  Find your style/size and then order online when on sale.  Wash on handwash cycle-dry on gentle. 2 years and they still look like new.

[Mtngrl]

Another recommendation for Ann Taylor or Loft. Wash in cool water, hang to dry. I find the wool blends wear better than all man-made materials.

[cheddarpie]

I've found that Land's End is also a good option, and they do custom hemming when you order so you can get whatever inseam length is right for you.

[Trifle]

X2 on Loft and Talbots.  Talbots pants are more expensive -- ~$100, but they last many years while looking new.  They wash up great and require no ironing.  In terms of price-per-wear, my Talbots pants are the best deal.  Talbots usually has sales in January and at the end of summer

 

[PoppyField]

Thanks for all of the advice.  I have just washed 4 of them and they are hanging up and seem fine.  I will iron them when they are dry.  If this works, which it looks like it will, it will save me a lot.  Thanks.

[FireHiker]

Another vote for Banana Republic. There is an outlet where I live, and I got a nice pair of machine-washable black slacks there; they were pretty cheap, I think about $20.

[Josiecat]

I wear Chico Outlet Easy Wear.  They're a line of non-wrinkling clothes and everything matches.  Travels like a dream.

[Fish Sweet]

Express "editor" or "columnist " pants are machine washable and hold up very well. They are the only dress pants I buy. They often have BOGO 50% off sales and coupons and such.

Seconding this suggestion.  I just purchased some Express "editor" pants the other day and I work in an industry where the professional "look" is very important.  In addition to being able to coupon your way to a cheaper price, I really recommend looking for Express stores at outlet malls in conjunction with holiday sales (Memorial Day, Black Friday, etc.)  The pants that I bought turned out to be almost 60% on sale-- cheaper even than the pants I'd purchased from Target. C:

[als1982]

If you're near a mall, see if their Limited is still open.  The chain is going out of business and in late December I was able to score 80% off suits, blazers and dress pants. 

[Livingthedream55]

I also have used Dryell (or similar products) for anything I don't feel comfortable machine washing with very good success.


http://www.target.com/p/dryel-at-home-dry-cleaner-starter-kit-4-loads/-/A-14711590?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Grocery+Essentials+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Grocery_Top%20Performers&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9001981&gclid=CIKswbm4ydECFZlXDQoddToBeg&gclsrc=aw.ds

[MustachianKentuckian]

I also buy Loft pants, only on sale (I live near an outfit)...so $70 retail but I usually pay between $30-40.  I always machine wash and dry and they hold up well.  In the past when I truly had dry clean only pants, I used Dryelle.  Even that adds up though (not as much as a dry cleaner).  So, I made the investment of replacing all my pants with non-dry clean.  Pricey up front (4 pants x $30-$40) but it was a great decision.

[Drifterrider]

I can suggest Dryell (if it is still made).  You use it in your dryer.  I used to use it for my suits (when I wore them). 

I can't suggest a brand name (I'm a guy) but I wear cotton pants like Dockers, etc (only buy them on sale).  I iron them.

[PoppyField]

Thanks Drifterrider.  Can you use the Dryell on jackets as well as pants?  It seems like jackets are easier to mess up than pants and I would be afraid to try to wash them.  Thanks.

[Tuskalusa]

I like CAbi slacks. They can be machine washed. They are pricey new, so I get them on eBay.

[Drifterrider]

Thanks Drifterrider.  Can you use the Dryell on jackets as well as pants?  It seems like jackets are easier to mess up than pants and I would be afraid to try to wash them.  Thanks.

You don't wash them.  Dryell works in the dryer with a provided bag and individual "sheets" o
f stuff.  Then hang. Think of it as refreshing them between dry cleaning cycles.  If they don't get dirty you don't have to dry clean the after every use.

I wear cotton pants and they are dressy. 

[SJS]

Such a big expense (and wast of money, IMO)  for so many - Dry Cleaning!!  When in actuality, most things CAN be washed - cold/gentle, hung to dry, and then lightly pressed.  Short of 100% wool & cashmere, I'd try to machine wash anything else.

[Sloeginfizz]

And wool and cashmere can/should be hand washed and laid flat to dry, rather than dry cleaned, if possible. Knits at least.