Why do people starch their dress shirts?

Answer by  Gabriel (2146)

The use of starch dates back decades, when stiff collars were fashionable, but the material was soft. The fashion now dictates that in formal or business situations, the starched shirt presents a cleaner, neater appearance. Starch helps prevent the wrinkling of most fabrics allowing you to look more professional longer.

Answer by  DouglasEarlClore (1236)

Nothing is worse than having a late afternoon meeting in an extremely warm room and feeling unable to take off your jacket when everyone else does, concerned that your shirt is horribly wrinkled by that time time of day. Starching helps keep shirts stiff and wrinkle free all day long.

Answer by  Kurt (4579)

People starch their dress shirts to make the shirt smooth and wrinkle free. When a person needs a dress shirt ( to dress professionally at the office or look very good in a social setting ) they want that shirt to be crisp with no wrinkles. A wrinkled shirt with limp lapels is not as impressive.

Answer by  Srfingfreak (697)

Starch gives a good stiff, smooth look, as well as preventing wrinkles from occurring during everyday wear. It also helps in ironing.