Wearing oversuit over pressed clothes

[Dj Brady]

Reading the aerostich thread got me to thinking.. I've got a firstgear wintersuit that keeps me very warm but I want something with viz and armor so I'm thinking about an Olympia or 'Stitch...

with that said... I picked up a seasonal driver position at UPS (yay me) and I'm wanting to commute on the Yummy but can't risk wrinkling my uniform... my Firstgear is a pretty snug fit and I fear it will bind up my clothes and cause issues... is this also the case on the better suits? Does anyone have any suggestions? Any 'white collar' winter commuters on here with a recommendation on how to keep your clothes looking nice under the suit?

As always, thanks very much in advance.

Brady

 

[Solo]

Fold your work clothes neatly and put them in a top case or side case, then change at work. Think about it--what magic could there be in a more expensive suit that will save your clothes from getting wrinkled? None. Any oversuit will wrinkle them. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[Dj Brady]

Fold your work clothes neatly and put them in a top case or side case, then change at work. Think about it--what magic could there be in a more expensive suit that will save your clothes from getting wrinkled? None. Any oversuit will wrinkle them. Sorry 'bout that.

No problem. It is what it is. Looks like I've got to find the 'designated changing area'

 

[Steve Scheer]

My dress pants (microfiber or cotton/poly blend) have done well with the Aerostitch. If you are wearing full wool suit pants, they may not do quite as well, but having traveled (as in, on a plane), suit pants generally handle wrinkles well enough.

I don't wear 100% cotton shirts because unless you have them professionally cleaned and starched heavily, they are going to wrinkle no matter what. The cotton/poly blend shirts I wear (from JC Penney) do well under the Aerostitch.

I have to disagree with the idea of changing clothes once I get to work. It's bad enough trying to get into/out of the Aerostitch at work, and it gets warm from where I enter the building to where I actually work. And then I have no place to keep the darn thing all day. That's a good argument for getting a two-piece suit (Aerostich of Joe Rocket).

 

[ScottyUSN]

How long is your commute? I found after a few months, that my 15-20 minute commute was not worth the hassle of gearing up for a short winter ride more than once a week. But, I'm also not much of a morning person.

 

[wnyfjr]

And then I have no place to keep the darn thing all day. That's a good argument for getting a two-piece suit (Aerostich of Joe Rocket).

I have actually managed to cram my RoadCrafter 1-piece into one of my side cases. I had to take the case off the bike to close it (sorta like sitting on a really full suitcase), and I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis as it can't be good for either the case or the suit...but it CAN be done!

 

[Dj Brady]

How long is your commute? I found after a few months, that my 15-20 minute commute was not worth the hassle of gearing up for a short winter ride more than once a week. But, I'm also not much of a morning person.

My commute is about 35-40 minutes. About $65 a week in the Riviera or $20 on the Yummy.. definitely worth it to me.. more of an economical choice than a 'fun' choice.

I'm DEFINITELY not a morning person, but if this leads to a FT driving position, it's totally worth it.

And then I have no place to keep the darn thing all day. That's a good argument for getting a two-piece suit (Aerostich of Joe Rocket).

I have actually managed to cram my RoadCrafter 1-piece into one of my side cases. I had to take the case off the bike to close it (sorta like sitting on a really full suitcase), and I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis as it can't be good for either the case or the suit...but it CAN be done!

I've got a Shad 52 case that I can probably press a suit into. My FirstGear Thermo is a really puffy suit that will fit if I cram it.

Unfortunately, my firstgear is about 3-5 minute on/off suit which can be a real PITA (mostly, it's fighting the velcro flaps).. from what I've read, the Olympia is a 45 second on/off suit

 

[rushes]

My commute is about 35-40 minutes. About $65 a week in the Riviera *snip*

What year Riviera?

Vintage?

 

[Dj Brady]

My commute is about 35-40 minutes. About $65 a week in the Riviera *snip*

What year Riviera?

Vintage?

Man, I WISH. There was a late 60's riviera selling on the local craigslist that is one sexy car.

https://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/2018783719.html

That thing has amazing potential.

Nah, mine is a '98 supercharged boat. It's a fun car and when I first got it a few years ago it was in excellent condition but the dreaded GM primer has gotten the best of the paint job and now my car has Mange. It's developed other issues as well, the most recent of which is a 'disconnected' external door handle on the driver side which is painfully inconvenient. For the most part though, it runs and drives excellent so it's hard to throw in the towel. I bought mine because my Father had the exact same model and put nearly 80k fairly trouble free miles on it but mine just hasn't been so fortunate.

 

[rushes]

My commute is about 35-40 minutes. About $65 a week in the Riviera *snip*

What year Riviera?

Vintage?

Man, I WISH.

Nah, mine is a '98 supercharged boat.

Bummer...

 

[Fred W]

My UPS driver doesn't press his brown uni.

Jus' sayin'...

 

[Bustanut joker]

Reading the aerostich thread got me to thinking.. I've got a firstgear wintersuit that keeps me very warm but I want something with viz and armor so I'm thinking about an Olympia or 'Stitch...

with that said... I picked up a seasonal driver position at UPS (yay me) and I'm wanting to commute on the Yummy but can't risk wrinkling my uniform... my Firstgear is a pretty snug fit and I fear it will bind up my clothes and cause issues... is this also the case on the better suits? Does anyone have any suggestions? Any 'white collar' winter commuters on here with a recommendation on how to keep your clothes looking nice under the suit?

As always, thanks very much in advance.

Brady

My 2 cents..

https://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu282/Barry50_2009/your-a-***.jpg



But.... That's just me.

:jester:

 

[Dj Brady]

Bustanut, it's not even Friday.

Fred, I'm a brand new hire under lots of scrutiny. Can't get away with that yet

 

[PhilJet09]

On the days I have to fly, I change once I get to work. The rest of the days street clothes are okay and it doesn't matter if they're wrinkled. I'll stock my locker with pressed uniforms whenever I have to cage it, otherwise I fold my clothes and iron them when I get there. I used to use a travel size steamer to get out the wrinkles, but now we have a full size ironing board and iron.

 

[ScottyUSN]

I agree your commute is worth it.

2 years ago I was back and forth on the Stich/Olympia one piece suits.

The Stich is a little quicker in and out, but at a more than 2x the cost of the Oly Phantom.

The Phantom is a great suit for what you are looking for. Just ask yourself if you really need a one piece, or would a two piece be more useful for all riding.

Not to scare you off UPS just a word of caution. Cover your own six, and get things in writing when possible.

My Son worked for UPS for 350 days. Loading trailers 11-3AM. A college kid, good worker and well liked by his supervisors.

His supervisor "verbally" granted him unpaid leave to visit familly for two weeks while on summer break. He purchased this plane tickets. Weeks later, two day before he flight, UPS told him he could not go or he would not have a job when he returned. He stuck to his guns, only returning to pick up is last check. He was due for an annual raise, benefits, paid vacation, etc... A coincidence? I doubt it.

Properly fold/rolling your uniform will keep the wrinkles away and allow you to easily fit in your topbox.

 

[LagerHead]

If your suit fits like this one, I don't see why it would ever need to be pressed.

 

[Dj Brady]

Scotty, yeah, I've heard some crazy horror stories about working there. The good thing is, I've got a recording/production studio and can always dig up work with that business but it's a fairly unsteady business. UPS, as long as all is good, is steady with benefits (in the event I ever go full time).

Lager, I'm in a loaner uniform until my ordered uniforms come in and the pants fit me about like that (yeesh, hard on the boys) but I sure don't make it look that good.

the uniforms are 65 polyester/35 cotton. I threw it on and went for a ride with my thermo suit yesterday for about an hour and it came out of the suit looking pretty much as good as it did going in so I think I'll be fine.. I couldn't begin to imagine where I would change at the hub.

The reason I'm contemplating upgrading suits is for 2 reasons.. Faster in/out (although I read the velcro on the Phantom is as tenacious as the Thermo, and kind of difficult to get out of) and the CE armor. I feel very vulnerable in the Firstgear thermo suit.

 

[Jay H]

Good Thread - I commute on the bike into Seattle from my home as much as possible - it is approximately 37 miles one way. I am currently wearing Motoport gear. While I like the gear, I end up with major ring around the collar from traffic, rain, etc. I have tried all kinds of neck gaiter's and none work. My dress shirts get wrinkled from the pressure of the gear. Wool pants are a joke to keep wrinkle free... I am now just resigned to the fact I will look like something the "cat drug in" when I ride the bike. On days when I attend a meeting and wear a suit, I drive the cage - sucks.

One piece/two piece makes no difference - your dry cleaner will love you...........

I do not think there is anyway around this other than to change at work????

J

 

[Tree Doc]

The reason I'm contemplating upgrading suits is for 2 reasons.. Faster in/out (although I read the velcro on the Phantom is as tenacious as the Thermo, and kind of difficult to get out of) and the CE armor. I feel very vulnerable in the Firstgear thermo suit.

I just bought a Phantom and have been wearing it a lot. I've intentionally suited up for every single downpour event we've had up here on the coast and took off and rode into the worst of it. It's less than 1 minute for on or off. The only issue I have with velcro is on the leg zips when you go to take it off. I just start at the bottom with my index finger and pull up and out like your "gutting" it. Then, you can get to the zipper and off it comes. This is a really nice suit and IMO can't see spending a penny more to get a 'stitch. Best part is I got a smokin' deal on it, BNWT from an ebay dealer that wanted to move it out. I only paid $275 shipped!