Why would someone who works in law start to seriously use a hand steamer for clothes?
I really didn't care about these things before.
To put it simply, during the early years when I was a lawyer, all I could think about was cases. Whether the evidence was sufficient, how to apply the laws, and how the opposing party would counter - these were the things that caused me constant anxiety every day.
Clothes? As long as I had something to wear, that was enough. As long as they're clean.
Until one day, I was in the meeting room meeting a client. The client was a boss who was involved in mergers and acquisitions. As soon as we sat down, he glanced at me and said something very quietly:
"Have you been too busy recently?"
At that moment, I didn't realize it. Later, when I went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, I realized that...
My shirt was wrinkled, there were indentations on the shoulders of the suit, and I looked a bit untidy overall.
That moment was quite delicate. It wasn't embarrassing; it was more like - you had prepared thoroughly, but your first impression had already lost points.
It was from that point on that I began to take seriously something that I had previously regarded as "rather useless": the hand steamer for clothes.
To be honest, in the legal profession, it really depends on "how it looks".
Many people think that lawyers rely on their professional skills, right? Yes, but the reality is - others notice you first based on your appearance, not your legal briefs.
Especially these scenarios:
▍The First Meeting with the Client
In fact, they are observing many aspects of you:
Are you tidy? Are you energetic? Does it look reliable?
If your clothes get wrinkled, your overall aura will be affected. Even if what you say is correct, the other person will still discount it in their mind.
▍Meeting / Negotiation
You will be sitting for one or two hours:
- Shirts will wrinkle
- Suits will pile up
- Cuffs will be messy
The moment you stood up, it was actually quite a tragic end.
▍Appearing in Court (This is the most obvious)
Once I was in a courtroom and the opposing lawyer was in an excellent state -
He was dressed neatly in a suit and had a crisp shirt. As soon as he stood there, he was very persuasive.
You will instinctively sense that: This person seems to be well-prepared.
This kind of thing is subtle, but it truly exists.
Why did I eventually give up using the iron?
I have used an iron before.
The problem is - it's too troublesome.
You need to:
- Find a place to set up the ironing board
- Plug in and preheat
- Apply a little pressure
To be honest, I got home from work very late and I definitely don't have the energy to deal with this.
And to be more realistic -
I often change my clothes on the spot in the morning.
Was ironed the day before? It still wrinkles the next day.
With the handheld ironing machine, how did it "gradually replace" it?
At first, I was actually somewhat skeptical.
After using it for some time, it was discovered that it wasn't solving the "ironing problem", but rather a time problem.
▍The biggest change: I no longer prepare clothes in advance
Previously, I would think:
"What should I wear tomorrow? Let's iron it out first."
Now it becomes:
"Just tidy up before going out."
It was really just a matter of a few minutes:
- Steam the front of the shirt
- Fix the cuffs
- Check the hem of the suit
And you're done.
▍It is more like an "emergency tool", but it is used every day.
The scenario that I use most frequently is actually not "making a piece of clothing perfect", but:
- When leaving the house, I noticed there were wrinkles.
- During business trips, I took the suitcase out and found it was wrinkled.
- After sitting for a long time, my clothes get wrinkled and lose their shape.
At such times, you wouldn't want to use an iron. But you would naturally reach for a hand steamer for clothes.
Regarding the Nesugar, my own experience of using it
I'm not the type of person who specializes in studying brands, but after using several of them, I can still sense the differences.
The biggest impression I got from using Nesugar is that it doesn't bother you at all.
It sounds simple, but in fact it is very crucial.
▍Doesn’t make me “not want to use it”
Some of the problems with the equipment are:
You know it's useful, but you just don't want to use it.
The reasons are usually:
- Too heavy
- Slow steam release
- Troublesome operation
But this one won't.
Most of the time, I just pick it up without even thinking. No mental effort needed.
▍When on a business trip, I really feel quite at ease.
This point is very real.
Nowadays, when I'm on a business trip, I basically don't rely on the hotel's iron anymore. Because you never know what you might encounter:
Either missing, broken, or dirty
Having your own just gives you peace of mind.
▍It is very convenient to deal with "local issues".
For example:
- The neckline is sagging.
- The sleeves are wrinkled.
- The hem is creased.
These ironing tasks are actually quite annoying, but the steam can handle it quickly.
Some of the mistakes I made myself (very important)
If you're just starting out, it really can save you from taking many detours.
▍Don't spray directly onto the wrinkled areas.
Many people do this and then say:
"Didn't it have any effect?"
The problem is - the clothes are loose.
What you need to do is:
- One hand holds it
- To give the fabric some tension
Using steam like that won’t work well at all.
▍Don't stand too close.
If you're too close, water droplets build up and your clothes end up getting wet.
I usually keep a distance where I can just see the steam.
▍Don't think about getting all your clothes done at once.
This thing is more suitable for:
- Quick processing
- Local correction
It’s not meant to give you the same perfect finish as an iron.
Who would particularly need this?
I'll mention a few real situations around me:
▍Newly-qualified lawyers
To put it simply, you don't have enough "confidence" yet. Your external appearance is the factor that can give you an advantage.
▍People who often meet with clients
You meet three or four people every day. It's impossible to be in perfect form every time, but at least your clothes shouldn't be a hindrance.
▍Senior Lawyer / Partner
They are busier and less likely to have time to iron clothes, but they have higher requirements.
▍People who frequently travel on business
This one doesn’t really need explaining.
Finally, let me say something very true.
I don't get anxious about wrinkles on my clothes anymore.
The previous situation was:
- Found wrinkles
- Couldn't deal with it in time
- Didn't feel well for the whole day
Now it is:
"Well, it's a bit wrinkled. Let's deal with it."
It can be resolved in a few minutes.
You will find that once these small matters become manageable, your overall state of mind will become a bit more relaxed.
If one has to summarize it in a single sentence:
A hand steamer for clothes. This is not something that makes you look elegant, but rather something that helps you avoid looking so messy.
And for tools like Nesugar, I would rather view it as -
something that doesn't disturb you too much, but is always there to provide you with a safety net.
