No-iron shirts are often confused with wrinkle-free shirts and can sometimes be avoided by consumers because they are produced with synthetic fabrics or treated with chemical baths.
But by avoiding ironing and saving time for other activities, you may want to reconsider, particularly thanks to progress in manufacturing procedures.
Of all the shirts we tried on and wore throughout our workday, we recommend the Mizen+Main No-Iron line of shirts because of the continued outstanding performance throughout the day guaranteed by these shirts. At dinnertime, our work shirt was still crisp, without wrinkles, comfortable, and we looked totally put together.
Comparison of Top No-Iron Work Shirts
| No Iron Shirt | Material | Sizing | Fit | Features |
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| Mizen+Main Leeward Shirt | 85% polyester and 15% spandex | Small through XXLarge | Classic fit | Quick-dry fabric, Moisture-wicking, Stretchable fabric |
| Brooks Brothers Madison Stretch | Supima cotton and spandex | Small through XXLarge | Slim, fitted, and classic fits available | 6-pleat Shirring in the barrel cuffs, signature fleece logo |
| Lands’ End No-Iron Supima Oxford | 100% cotton | 14.5 X 32 to 17.5 x 35. | Traditional, tailored, or slim fits available | Two button cuffs |
| Amazon Button-down | 100% Supima cotton | Seventy-two sizes | Classic fit | Satisfaction guarantee or full refund |
| Backpacker Wrinkle Free Nailhead | 55% cotton and 45% polyester | Small to 3X Large Tall | Standard fit | Chest pocket, Button-down collar |
| Banana Republic Classic-Fit Non-Iron | 100% Cotton | XSmall to XXLarge | Slim fit and standard fit | Spread collar. Triangular reinforcements at side seams |
| Van Heusen Big and Tall Air | 68% Rayon and 32% Polyester | Regular, Tall and Big sizing available | Button-down, short sleeve | Cooling zone with special yarn |
To Wrinkle or Not to Wrinkle!
So, this morning you awoke and realized you didn’t have any shirts to wear to work today because you didn’t have time to iron.
You may even already own some no-iron shirts, but somehow it seems that there are never enough in your closet, and time is of the essence.
So, if you have to do your own laundry and you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to the cause, no-iron shirts can be your number one ally for looking professional and getting to work on time.
No-Iron and Non-Wrinkle History
In the early 1990s, no-iron shirts were introduced for the first time, but the adoption by shirt makers and manufacturers was relatively slow.
After a little less than a decade, toward the end of the 1990s, these shirts began to be offered more frequently by more manufacturers.
With the arrival of 2000, no-iron shirts enjoyed constant growth in sales and popularity, and accounted for almost twenty-five percent of all dress shirts that were sold in 2008 in the United States.
Are Wrinkle-Resistant and Non-Iron the Same Thing?
No, and the terminology used can be confusing. Often manufacturers will market their clothing lines as wrinkle-resistant or wrinkle-free.
Wrinkle-resistant or wrinkle-free is not the same thing as no-iron. A wrinkle-resistant fabric will still require some ironing, so if you are specifically in the market for no-iron shirts, pay attention to the description to avoid being misled when purchasing.
No-iron means that you can wash your shirt and dry it in the dryer. Upon removal, you will not need to iron it and you won’t have to worry about it wrinkling throughout the workday. A no-iron shirt will probably always have superior performance when compared to a wrinkle-free shirt.
A wrinkle-resistant fabric will probably need some ironing as previously stated. What the terminology implies is that it should maintain a crisp appearance throughout the day or at least for a longer period than if it had not been treated. A no-iron shirt will require little to no ironing after washing.
See also: Best work shirts for summer
How wrinkle free shirts are manufactured?
When manufacturing no-wrinkle shirts, companies will bathe the fabric in a chemical solution that will then adhere to the fabric. A no-wrinkle finish originates from a resin that has formaldehyde.
Often many types of fabrics used on a daily basis contain some degree of formaldehyde from sheets, to drapes, to couch upholstery.
Will no-wrinkle shirt effect your skin?
Most of the population will have no difficulties with these treatments, however, if you have particularly sensitive skin, formaldehyde can cause dermatitis.
In this case, good labeling can help you discern if a wrinkle-free treatment is a good choice for you or not. Logically with more washings, the chemical treatment will weaken and its effectiveness will be reduced over time.
Do No-iron and Wrinkle-free Fabrics Feel the Same?
Fabrics that are wrinkle-free should feel very similar to untreated fabrics because this chemical treatment is applied during the finishing procedure, and not after the shirt has been completely finished. Also, many wrinkle-free products are 100% cotton to ensure breathability and softness.
No-iron shirts are fabric mixes such as cotton-polyester or polyester-spandex or bonded cotton fibers. Their wrinkle-free appearance is unmatched, however, they may sacrifice a bit of breathability and softness that is characteristic of cotton, silk, or even linen.
Is the Process of Manufacturing Different Between No-iron and Wrinkle-free?
Most certainly depending on the manufacturer. Some wrinkle-free treatments will be applied directly at the mill before the fabric is actually cut and sewn.
No-iron shirts can either be produced with fabrics that are no-iron or they can be immersed in a no-iron chemical treatment that permeates the entire shirt, bonding to the shirt fibers in a way that the material is difficult to crease or wrinkle.
See also: Best button down work shirts
Other Factors That Influence Shirt Wrinkling
Factors that will influence the amount of wrinkling characteristic to a garment include:
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- The weave of the fabric
- Fabric weight
- Fabric quality
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Fabrics that are thinner and have a single-ply construction will wrinkle more easily and more quickly than a fabric that is two-ply because the two-ply fabric has more body to it.
Thread counts that are higher such as the 120s to the 170s may wrinkle more as well because they are more fragile.
Best No-Iron Shirt for Work Review
Our Top Choice
1. Mizen+Main Leeward Shirt
- PERFORMANCE FABRIC DRESS SHIRTS: Breathe, stretch, and wick away moisture.
- TRIM FIT: Tailored athletic cut - fits close against the body. Two darts on the back create tapered look.
- FOUR WAY STRETCH: 85% Polyester 15% Spandex
- NO ironing and NO dry cleaning. Machine washable and wrinkle resistant.
- LEEWARD COLLECTION
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Mizen+Main is our top choice for overall performance. This brand offers an entire line of no-iron button-down shirts manufactured in a combination of polyester and spandex.
Since the fabric has a bit of stretch, a full range of motion is guaranteed which is great for professionals who are not necessarily always behind a desk.
These comfortable shirts are moisture-wicking as well, so for pros that run between the office and construction or industrial sites, or for those summer months or warmer climates, Mizen+Main gives you extra protection from under armpit rings.
With this line, shrinkage is a thing of the past. While the shirts may be a tad more expensive than those of competitors, the difference in price is justified by a great performance.
This is a terrific long sleeve, button-down shirt that will not fail you. The polyester and spandex fabric will keep you dry on the warmest of days and the spandex stretch will give you a full range of movement.
Pros
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- Machine washable
- Quick-dry fabric
- Moisture-wicking
- Stretchable fabric
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Cons
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- A bit more expensive
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Other No-Iron Shirts We Like
2. Brooks Brothers Madison Stretch Classic-Fit Sport Shirt
No list would be complete without a contribution from Brooks Brother. This renowned brand offers various dress shirts that are no-iron, but this sport shirt really caught our attention because it can be worn in the office as well as at a construction or industrial site.
Available in twelve colors, Brooks has three fits: slim, fitted, and classic with sizes ranging from Small through XXLarge. Constructed in Supima cotton and spandex with a button-down collar.
The shirt features the signature 6-pleat Shirring in the barrel cuffs as well as the Brooks Brothers signature fleece logo on the left chest. Machine Washable. The shirt can be monogrammed, and the company offers discounts with multiple purchases.
Pros
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- Supima cotton
- Machine Washable
- Button-down collar
- Possibile discounts for multiple purchases
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Cons
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- Errant threads noticed in the construction of the shirt
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3. Lands’ End No-Iron Supima Oxford Button-Down Shirt
If you want to fill your closet with some really good basic work shirts that require little care and no-ironing, this offering from Lands’ End should definitely be considered.
The style is classic, and the fabric is so very soft and comfortable because it is constructed in US-grown 100% Supima cotton. The shirt features gussets on the sides should you prefer not to tuck it in.
Lands’ End says the shirt is wrinkle-free for at least thirty washes. Available in traditional, tailored, or slim fit with sizes ranging from 14.5 X 32 to 17.5 x 35.
Pros
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- 100% Supima Cotton
- 4 Color choices
- Machine washable
- Two-button cuffs
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Cons
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- Some fit considerations
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4. Amazon Button-down Classic Fit Men’s Dress Shirt
- Made in Indonesia
- Long-sleeve pinpoint oxford non-iron dress shirt featuring button-down collar, offered with or without pocket at chest
- Luxury Supima cotton is lightweight
- Classic Fit
- Available in 72 sizes for a more precise Fit, including Big & Tall
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Do you have a meeting with your boss, with clients, or in the office and you need a nice shirt, but you haven’t had time to do the laundry and iron? This Amazon shirt should pique your interest.
This is an Amazon in-house clothing brand. The shirt is constructed in 100% Supima cotton and comes in versions both with or without a chest pocket in a total of twelve colors.
A long-sleeved Oxford shirt features a button-down collar and is available in a whopping seventy-two sizes! The fit is classic and similar to a relaxed or regular fit.
This shirt also comes with a satisfaction guarantee, If you are not satisfied with the shirt Amazon will give you a full refund, no questions asked.
Pros
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- Supima Cotton
- Seventy-two sizes available
- Machine washable
- Twelve colors
- Available with or without pockets
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Cons
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- Sizing runs small
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5. Backpacker Wrinkle Free Nailhead Men’s Shirt
- Wrinkle resistant
- Stain & soil repellent
- 1 button thru pocket
- Single needle armhole
- Double needle Sideseam
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
If you just need a nice everyday work shirt without any pretensions, this relaxed shirt from Backpacker is a great choice for tradesmen if you like button-down shirts.
It has a textured woven finish in a cotton-polyester mix that is soft to the touch and soil-repellent for any on-the-job mishaps. Available in gold, burgundy, and navy, sizes range from Small to 3X Large Tall.
It comes with a button-up left chest pocket and has a button-down collar. The fabric is 55% cotton and 45% polyester and features a double needle side seam. Machine washable.
Pros
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- Soil resistant
- Stain resistant
- Button-down collar
- Machine washable and wear
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Cons
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- Sizes tend to run small
- Only three choices of color
- Closer to a slim fit
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6. Banana Republic Classic-Fit Non-Iron Stretch Check Button-Down Shirt
Banana Republic offers an entire line of men’s button-down shirts that are a non-iron finish. The brand offers various colors and designs in both slim fit and standard fits with sizes ranging from XSmall to XXLarge.
Constructed in 100% cotton, the shirts have been designed to resist wrinkles, saving you time. Cuffs are adjustable and the shirt features a spread collar, the side seams feature triangular reinforcements for extra durability.
Pros
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- The brand offers a full-line of no-iron shirts
- 100% cotton
- Machine washable
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Cons
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- Sizes only run to XXL
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7. Van Heusen Big and Tall Air Short-Sleeve Button-down Men’s grid Shirt
- Temperature activated cooling zone- woven with specialized yarns that are cool
- Moisture-wicking properties pull moisture away from the body keeping you dry and feeling cool
- Non iron wear goes straight from the dryer out the door
- Poplin fabric construction using filament polyester which provides a subtle luster and extra smooth surface
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The attractive feature of this classic button-down shirt is that it is available in sizes for tall and big bodied men.
Manufactured in a lightweight mix of 68 % rayon and 32% polyester, the shirt is able to provide lasting cool all day long while on the job.
Moisture-wicking and quick-drying features include a patch of yarn that is temperature-activated in the sections where you perspire the most. This is to keep you cool.
The shirt is machine washable and no-iron meaning you’re ready to go after drying with no extra time-consuming hassle.
Pros
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- Moisture-wicking
- Quick drying
- Machine washable, no-ironing
- Short sleeve
- Tall and Large sizes
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Cons
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- Somewhat long shirt tails
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The Bottom Line
We hope this article has been informative with regard to the difference between no-iron shirts and wrinkle-free or wrinkle-resistant shirts. We tested the above shirts to save you time and money.
If you find a shirt in this category that we have not reviewed here, remember to read the manufacturer’s label or description thoroughly so as to not find yourself victim of misleading marketing regarding wrinkling.
