If you’re traveling to a formal occasion, chances are you’ll need to pack a dress shirt. This way, you’ll never have to worry about opening up your suitcase to a wrinkly shirt ever again. Let’s get into it!
The 2 Ways to Fold a Dress Shirt
Below, we’ll be covering two different methods for how to pack shirts for travel. First we’ll look at the classic fold before looking at an easy way to roll-up shirts as well.
Method #1: The Classic Fold
First, let’s take a look at the classic way to fold a dress shirt, which we’ve dubbed “The Classic Fold.”
Start with your shirt laid out with all the buttons done up and the back facing you. From here, fold the sleeves across the back, then fold them up so the cuffs are resting below the collar.
Then you’re going to fold the shirt vertically into thirds. The whole shirt should be slightly wider than the collar. Next, fold the shirt horizontally in thirds so you can only see the first two buttons from the front.
Voila! You now have a perfectly flat folded shirt ready to be laid in your suitcase.
Method #2: The Roll-Up
While the method outlined above is tried and true, we’ll be quickly covering an alternative. While this won’t give you a nice flat fold, it will still wrap your shirt into a tight package. It’s much more compressed, so it may fit better in your suitcase as a result. Using this method for all your clothes can be a quick and easy way to pack up your entire travel wardrobe.
Once again, start with the shirt buttoned up and laid out flat. Instead of folding the sleeves in, fold the shirt in half. The sleeves should be aligned with each other. Next, fold both sleeves over the half of the shirt facing you.
From here, it’s time to roll! Start from the bottom, and roll your shirt up until it’s in a tight little cylinder.
What to Do if My Shirt’s Still Wrinkled?
If you get to your hotel and find your shirt still wrinkled – don’t panic! Most hotels will have an iron available in your room for this exact situation.
If you find yourself iron-less, try hanging up your shirt in the bathroom while you have a shower. The steam will help remove the wrinkles. While it’s no substitute for a good pressing, it will look better than it did before.
As a bonus tip, consider packing yourself a lint roller as well. Even if your shirt is spotless when it goes in your suitcase, it may come out covered in fluff. A lint roller is a good insurance policy that will usually only cost a dollar or two.
Conclusion
Knowing how to properly fold a shirt can be the difference between having a crisp outfit and a crumpled-up mess. No matter how you pack your shirt, wrinkles may still be inevitable. So, always try to have access to an iron and a lint roller for when you need them.
