Worn-out shirt cuffs

[frankie lee]

Many of my dress shirts are showing wear on the edges of the cuffs. The shirts are all 3-4 years old, non-French cuff, and are made by Thomas Pink and YSL. I know Pink has a bad reputation around here, but it's not total garbage.

I'm wondering what causes this type of wear around the cuff edges. Is it normal for shirts this age to wear out? Is it because the place I have them laundered and pressed is doing a lousy job? Could it be because the sleeves are a little bit too long on many of the shirts? Something else?

Any insight appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wEstSidE]

Collars and cuffs always wear out more quickly than the rest of the shirt. I don't know what you can do know, but in olden times they used to just replace the collar or cuff.

 

[Quirk]

It could probably be harsh detergents, getting beaten up in the washer, starch, overly hot dryers, overly hot iron or some combination. I do mine in the gentle cycle, dry them on low heat for only about 15 minutes and hang them to dry until I'm ready to wear them. I should iron them while they're still damp, but I'm too lazy to iron that many at a time, so I just spritz and iron them when I need them.

But yeah, even with the best care, the cuffs will be the first to go.

 

[Anthony Jordan]

For me it is usually cuffs at the fold, then collar points, then the collar at the fold; I assume that everyday friction is the real culprit. There might be mileage in having the cuffs turned?

 

[Luc-Emmanuel]

Originally Posted by frankie lee

I'm wondering what causes this type of wear around the cuff edges. Is it normal for shirts this age to wear out?.
Yes. It's just friction from the desk at which you are sitting all day long, typing on a keyboard. It's quite normal.

!luc

 

[frankie lee]

I guess what I wanted to know is whether 3-4 years is a reasonable lifespan for a shirt. Thanks to all for the thoughtful responses.

 

[Quirk]

What is your desk top surface like? Is there more wear on the cuff of your mouse side?

 

[gorgekko]

Originally Posted by frankie lee

I guess what I wanted to know is whether 3-4 years is a reasonable lifespan for a shirt. Thanks to all for the thoughtful responses.
I've never had a shirt -- whether well-made or otherwise -- die that quickly in the cuffs/collar. Hell, I have a shirt I bought in 1989 that I still wear that doesn't have frayed cuffs or collars. Maybe I'm lucky...

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

I think the commercial laundry is doing the damage -- most use hot water to wash and dry on high heat. Wash the shirts yourself on the gentle cycle (warm water) and drip dry.

 

[Margaret]

Also, you can't go by how old it is, you have to go by approximately how many washes it's been through. The other day, my brother was bragging to me about some shirt he's had since the 90's that's still in great condition. He wears it three times a year or something...

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by wEstSidE

Collars and cuffs always wear out more quickly than the rest of the shirt. I don't know what you can do now, but in olden times they used to just replace the collar or cuff.

Even today, collar and cuff replacement is a good part of the shirtmakers business. But, in many instances white contrasting collar/cuffs are used because of matching problems due to fabrics fading or being unavailable(discontinued).

 

[TandEllen]

I found a good source for my husbands shirts @ www.collarreplacement.com at great price. Does beautiful work.

 

[Ivan Kipling]

Thanks, TandEllen! I know a seamstress who did this work, as a sideline. She replaced collars and cuffs on women's blouses, too.

 

[soulstylist]

...shirtwear depends on the time you wear them not on the age of the shirts themselves. I got a shirt that needed the cuffs to be replaced after only one year but as I loved that shirt it got worn really a lot! And washed carfully by hand btw...

...since I know this I order spare cuffs with all the new shirts I have made...

...oh, my shirtmaker stated that one year is really fast for wearing out cuffs - three to four years (as you stated) were more normal...

 

[Sartorian]

I wash all my non-white cottons in cold water and hang dry. With cuffs and collars, I press and don't irong, as this is hot friction.