There is nothing so fine as a finely ironed shirt

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There is nothing so fine as a finely ironed shirt

19 comments — written on August 26th, 2005

Apart from my love of Ramen noodles, pens, personal finance, and viral marketing, I have a not-so-secret love of ironing.

My goal is to iron the creases so sharply that they’ll cut your face.

I have been searching for a business model for this skill of mine. Some of my friends suggested putting together a quick Web site showing people how to iron a shirt. Good idea, I replied, EXCEPT…

1. No one knows how to iron a shirt
2. Nobody cares about learning how to iron
3. Nobody pays for anything related to this (except to have a laundromat do it for them)
4. I don’t know how much positive personal branding I could receive from this

If I were Rowenta (they are like the Rolls Royce of irons), I would launch a massive ironing-education program in America. Maybe this is why I’m not the CEO of Rowenta, though.

Maybe I’ll just keep this as a hobby of mine.

19 comments

Leave your own

1

August 26, 2005
Jose Anes

Make a website that shows how to:

1. Iron a shirt.
2. Tie a necktie (with dimple).
3. Some color coordination tips.
4. A downloadable guide for business travelers.

Put some google ads.

Then drop the link on:

http://www.styleforum.net
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Forum/default.asp

You will get some clicks.

I will print and carry the guide.
2

August 26, 2005
Josh

“2. Nobody cares about learning how to iron”. This statement is clearly false. I have lately been striving for a more perfect ironing technique.
3

August 26, 2005
Ramit Sethi

Interesting. If there’s enough demand, maybe I’ll do something to teach this…
4

August 26, 2005
anonymous

Consider marketing it towards computer types — there are lots of engineers at Stanford who have no clue how to dress for interviews. One of my housemates has to have hotel clerks tie his tie for him, and he’s 25 years old!
5

August 26, 2005
Tom

For an added effect, use wood hangers
6

August 26, 2005
brandon

I’ll sign my girlfriend up pronto!
7

August 27, 2005
Reality Bites

Dude, forget the ironing, teach America how to get the hangers so evenly spaced!
8

August 28, 2005
Financial Fruition

You could also provide reviews of different irons, as well as the ironing chemicals/products that are like starch…I think one of them is called Magic Sizing.
9

August 28, 2005
Sydney

I have two brothers-in-law who are so meticulous abut their apperances that they insist on doing all of their own ironing. They are also passionate about shoe polishing and various other points of wardrobe maintenance. The “Ask Andy” posters seem to be similarly passionate about the care of their clothes. The website about ironing, et al would be great and probably very popular!
10

August 28, 2005
Sydney

A guide to packing a suitcase so that your clothes don’t come out looking like a wadded up mess would also be great. Amazing how few people really pack well, or efficiently. Most people overpack and take the wrong stuff with them. A smart packer can be gone for weeks at a time with hand luggage only (I do it all the time).
11

August 30, 2005
Surajit Bose

Take up Extreme Ironing. It’s the latest danger sport that combines the thrills of an extreme outdoor activity with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt. http://www.extremeironing.com/
12

September 1, 2005
kristen

Pretty funny post. I personally hate ironing and have made it a personal goal never to have to iron again. In a comic book, would I be your nemesis?
13

September 1, 2005
Ramit Sethi

You already are.
14

October 3, 2005
Anonymous

that is an awesome idea & gear it towards women. My hubby does all the ironing for us hehe I would definitely go there.
15

October 25, 2005
Rafael Olmeda

I was given this site by my son and needless to say that you are extremely interesting. You just about cover the world withyour insight.

About the ironing, I too have an obsession for ironing and I too love to have my shirts with the crease very sharp, and heavily starched. I learned the art and I say art because ironing is an art, my sister as a youngster would iron our clothes and when I got them they were not to my satisfaction, so what happened? my sister would thrown them at me after I complaint and was told to do them myself.
Well I’m now 58 and since the age of 12 I have been ironing all my clothes and will not allow anyone else do them for me.

So my friend I think I have met someone who enjoys ironing as much as I do. So if you have information regarding ironing so ahead and put it down. Never too old to learn different techniques.
16

November 23, 2006
kim

I think an ironing websiteis a great idea. I don’t know how to iron a shirt or pants with starch without creating little white flakes. Very annoying – I have settled for using a spray bottle of water.
17

July 26, 2007
Ryan Geist

Exception #2 is false. I requested a live demonstration of your skills. I believe I may have been your first non-paying customer. However, as your first non-paying costumer, I feel i must inform the world that your style, while effective, is freakishly manic. You iron a shirt in maybe 15 seconds. It takes me 2 minutes, minimum. I don’t know your secrets, but I think it’s a magic trick.
18

April 9, 2008
Amy

Ramit,
I don’t think this will make you any money, however, it will CERTAINLY get you dates.
I remember the first time I was invited to an former beau’s house, he gave me the tour and I poked my head in his walk in closet. (it looked similar to the photos above)
I was WAYYYYYY impressed and asked him where he had his dry cleaning done. He said ‘dry cleaning? I don’t dry clean anything. I IRON them’. I really didn’t believe him but the punch line never came.
As I picked myself off the floor, realizing he was serious, I then fell madly and totally in love.
It’s a HUGE aphrodisiac to women – a man who can iron like a champ?
Oh la la la la ——— grin.
19

April 9, 2008
Amy

Oh wait, I forgot to mention. I’m selling my ironing board at a yard sale this weekend because I have resolved to only date men who have this skill. Look! I am financially savvy AND delegating…………..