HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR TROUSERS

If you’re like most others, you probably pay more attention to the care of your T-shirts, sweaters, and other tops. Comparatively, trousers, with their typically more durable nature aren’t treated with as much care. Yet, unless properly taken care of, they too can lose their charm quickly. The dapper look you flaunt in a pair of well-ironed formal pants and a crisp shirt would not be possible with a frayed pair of trousers. You also get more for your money by taking good care of them. In this post, we tell you how to preserve the life of your trousers with a few simple tips and tricks. This way, you can enjoy wearing your favourite pairs for years to come!

CARING FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF FABRIC

How you care for your trousers depends on the fabric. The most common materials are polyester, cotton, linen, and wool, each demanding a certain level of maintenance.

“

ALWAYS INVEST IN TROUSERS THAT FIT APPROPRIATELY AT THE WAIST

”

Polyester Trousers
Most formal trousers are made of polyester or a polyester-cotton blend. The nature of the fabric prevents them from wrinkling easily and makes them pretty easy to maintain. Machine washing polyester trousers is usually safe when done with warm or cold water. While drying, exposing them to high heat should be avoided as the material may shrink. If you’re unsure about how to care for a particular pair of trousers, do read the label. It’ll help you maintain the smooth, almost shiny appearance of polyester that you can show off with a shirt, a smart jacket, and a pair of tan brogue shoes for a polished and professional appearance.Cotton Trousers
Cotton trousers are cool and usually very comfortable. Being a natural fabric, cotton lends itself to easy dyeing and it is possible to have trousers in endless and amazing hues ranging from indigo to bottle green, red, and more. While manufacturers try to ensure that colour doesn’t bleed during washing, it’s best to check the care instructions label on your trousers. Some cotton pants may need to be dry-cleaned the first time. Typically, however, machine-washing in cold water is the norm. Darker coloured trousers are more prone to fading so it’s wise to air-dry them in the shade. Keep in mind that some cotton trousers may also shrink on the first wash. To tackle this problem, you can consider purchasing pre-shrunk trousers. Quality also matters so try to purchase from reputed brands or dealers. You’ll pay more upfront but will get much better value

Linen Trousers
Linen, another natural fabric, is smoother and tougher than cotton. The lightweight, breathable material is a terrific pick for warm days but also suits colder weather. Despite its durability, it’s not always machine-washable and wrinkles easily, so do check the trouser care label before tossing it into the washer. As with cotton, air drying in the shade is the best option.Wool Trousers
Today, wool trousers are either made from 100 percent wool or wool blends. They demand the highest level of care. Washing trousers in the washing machine is almost always a no-no as is washing in hot water. Some wool trousers come with dry-clean-only instructions, in which case you’ll need to follow them. Drying them flat can help retain their shape although they can also be line-dried.

“

FLAT-FRONT TROUSERS WORK WELL ON ALL BODY TYPES

”

Ironing Basics
Nothing beats the look of a well-pressed pair of trousers. It instantly lends a smart edge to an outfit. Show yours off in the fabric of your choice and let it help you make a lasting impression. We suggest a sharp and chic ensemble like a pair of beige trousers and a sea green boat-neck top, or navy pants and a lightly printed half-sleeved shirt. You can wear these looks to work, for when catching up with friends at the pub, or at a semi-formal party.
To get perfectly ironed trousers, set the iron temperature according to the fabric of the pants. Polyester and synthetic trousers are relatively wrinkle-free. You can usually do without ironing them but a quick iron on low heat can help maintain clean, sharp lines. Cotton trousers, on the other hand, wrinkle easily and need higher temperatures to smoothen them. We recommend using a steam iron if possible. It works faster and ensures a better finish. Linen too wrinkles easily, in fact, more so than cotton. Set the iron temperature to high (preferably use a steam iron). If you don’t have one, use a damp cloth to wipe heavily wrinkled areas and follow up with the iron. Wool may be thick but it’s quite delicate. You have to be extra careful while ironing wool trousers. Set the temperature low to medium and iron over a protective piece of cloth. It’ll keep the wool fibres from burning.

“

WHEN YOU’RE BUYING TROUSERS, CHECK YOUR COMFORT LEVEL WHILE SITTING DOWN

”

Drying Your Trousers
While the dryer is a great option for emergencies, it’s always best to air-dry trousers. Polyester trousers dry within hours and though cotton needs more time, it’ll last longer if you don’t use a dryer. Try to avoid drying under direct sunlight as well, especially trousers made of fabrics like coloured cotton and linen. It will be a shame to have your favourite trousers fading before their time. Moreover, trousers with sheen can also become dull.

Drying Your Trousers
While the dryer is a great option for emergencies, it’s always best to air-dry trousers. Polyester trousers dry within hours and though cotton needs more time, it’ll last longer if you don’t use a dryer. Try to avoid drying under direct sunlight as well, especially trousers made of fabrics like coloured cotton and linen. It will be a shame to have your favourite trousers fading before their time. Moreover, trousers with sheen can also become dull.

Cultivate the Habit of Spot Cleaning
Like all garments, trousers can stain and if you don’t get spillage out as soon as possible, you’ll have a tough time removing it later. Dab the area with a clean cloth and a stain remover. Once you’ve got most of the spillage out, wash it with soap or detergent and throw it into the washer. If the trousers need to be hand-washed, soak them for a few minutes after removing the spillage. Lightly rub the area, rinse, and dry. You shouldn’t have a problem with staining.Be Proactive with Repairs
Trousers are naturally subject to wear and tear. If you see a dangling button, don’t wait for it to fall out but sew it back into place. Likewise, if there’s a tear, fix it; otherwise, it can worsen and turn into an expensive repair later. If the trousers are expensive and you aren’t handy with a needle or simply don’t have the time, give it to a tailor. They’ll do an excellent job of helping preserve your trousers.
‘Clothes make the man’, goes the saying, and proper trouser care can go a long way in ensuring yours last for years. Take the time to give them a little attention using the tips given here and you’ll soon find it easy to maintain them. After all, why let your image take a beating especially when trouser care is so simple? Make the right impression at all times in perfectly put-together outfits with trousers that are super sharp. Get the most out of them with the right care and you’ll be able to wear them for a long time.

Why these Devadasis refused to dance to God’s tune

In our entire life we probably haven’t met one of them, and chances are we never would, but as soon the word “Devadasi” is mentioned to us our mind gets transported to the era of the Maharajas, to the Nat Mandir (dance hall of the temple) where a beautiful woman, resplendent in gold is dancing in front of God, in a classical dance style Odissi or Bharathanatyam.

Devadasis in ancient India

But the adult and the enlightened mind knows that behind this beautiful picture is also the picture of a young girl sacrificed to the service of God, shackled to a life of sexual exploitation that throws her into a vicious cycle of social manipulation where a Davadasi’s daughter has to become a servant of God.

In fact, this post that I am writing today is about a few Devadasis in Karnataka who refused to continue to dance to the tune of Goddess Yellamma, to whose service they were dedicated at the age of six or seven. They wanted a way out of the system and send their children to school and its people like you and me who have shown them the way.

When the NGO Milaap – you must have noticed them appearing in pop ups in numerous websites asking you to loan (mind it not donate) Rs 2500, to someone who needs it to change his or her life – claimed they have been helping Devadasis find a new future I wanted to know more. I came to know Milaap has joined hands with Mahila Abhivrudhimathu Samrakshana Samsthe (MASS) a collective of former Devadasis, and has been giving out loans to Devadasis to build a life for themselves.

I wrote to Sourabh Sharma, founder of Milaap.org and wanted to know real stories. Sourabh immediately got back with the relevant information. I realized the success stories are heart-warming and what is more fascinating is so many people have played a part in these success stories just by lending a part of their own income to the people who need it more.

A former Devadasi herself, Mahananda has employed four former Devadasis in her sewing business

Success story 1: Mahananda

This 34-year-old woman now employs four former Devadasis in her sewing enterprise. Her younger daughter studies in class eight, and plans to pursue a career in science. “Girls should prosper. I have painstakingly brought my daughters up so that they are able to live a good life and I want to see them prosper,” she says.

Shobha could not find employment for years till she started on her own, raising buffaloes and selling milk

Success Story 2: Shobha

Every year she made a promise to herself that she would find some job to earn a legitimate living but every year she realized no one was willing to employ a Devadasi. Every year she went back to selling her body but she was determined none of her four children would see the life she had seen.

So Shobha registered for help from MASS and Milaap and learned to raise buffaloes and sell their milk. She applied for a loan, and used the money to buy a buffalo. She saved, repaid her loan, and requested another. She bought more buffaloes, earned more. Today, she is securely out of the Devadasi system and her children are in school.

After Mangal’s grocery store took off she got a marriage proposal which she accepted

Success Story 3: Mangal

Mangal’s success with her grocery store not only gave her and her teenage children a new life of dignity – it also got her a husband (given that no one marries Devadasis). They have a child together. And Mangal, who realized the importance of financial independence, continues to grow her business.

Here’s what I found out about the Devadasi system:

Does the Devadasi system still exist?

Although states like Orissa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka claim that they have done away with the Devadasi system, Karnataka even passed the Devadasi (Prohibition of Dedication) Act in 1992 the National Commission of Women found out that Andhra Pradesh had 16,624 Devadasis within its state and Karnataka has around 22,941.

Mala took her first leap out of the Devadasi system when she opened her pan shop

Who is a modern-day Devadasi?

French-American author Catherine Rubin Kermorgant spent four years researching among Devadasi women in Karnataka. She interviewed five women and wrote her bookServants of the Goddess: the modern-day Devadasis.

In her book she mentions Ganga who was dedicated to the Goddess because her father had promised to do so if her mother recovered from a serious ailment. Her mother recovered and she was made into a Devadasi – one woman’s life was finished to save another’s.

Although dedications are banned now but these are still carried out surreptitiously as the girl is bathed in neem and turmeric and taken before God and told about her duties which includes never retaliating to abuse and “giving shelter to strangers”.

Ganga further said, “Some landlords consider it a matter of prestige to deflower as many young girls as possible. In Mumbai, virgin Devadasis fetch a high price. By deflowering a Devadasi, a man can cure himself of disease. He can purify himself. If the goddess wills it, then it is possible.”

“And what about AIDS?” Catherine had asked
“It is said you can get rid of it by giving it to a client,” Ganga said.

The National Commission of Women say that women still become Devadasis because of dumbness, deafness and poverty. Women who are deserted by their husbands, widowed, or living with AIDS dedicate their children as Devadasis when they find it difficult to get them married. They subsist on the money that their daughter earns. In fact, most Devadasis now hail from poor families and are responsible for earning for the entire family.

So far the life expectancy of a Devadasi has been low. She usually does not live beyond 50.

And even if she get’s out of the system it’s hard to make two ends meet and lead a good life. Read Ratnamma’s story.

Kallava became a Devadasi at six, gave birth to three children in her late 40s and now pays her children’s school fees from her goat rearing business

Former Devadasi Kasturi is in the textiles business

If you want to help another Devadasi to break free from the oppressive system go to www.milaap.org and give a loan. You will get your money back along with the satisfaction that you have changed somebody’s life.