How to Fold a Shirt for Travel

Co-authored by Caitlin Jaymes

There are many ways to fold a shirt, and when you are traveling, you may want to reduce wrinkles or save space. Try folding your shirts together to reduce wrinkles or rolling up your shirts to save space. You’ll be ready for your vacation or business trip in no time!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Folding Your Dress Shirts

1
Find a flat surface and lay out your dress shirt. Use a surface like a table, chair seat, or bed. Smooth out the back of your shirt, so there are no wrinkles.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2020.}
2
Button up your shirt. You can button all of the buttons, or just do the top, bottom, and center button. Either choice will keep your shirts straight and cut down on wrinkles as you pack.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2020.}

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3
Grasp one of your sleeves and fold it towards the center of your shirt. Make sure your shirt is face down before you make this fold. Your fold line will be just before your shirt’s collar, starting at the center of the shoulder. Your shirt should have about ⅓ of the front folded over top of the back.^{[3]
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- You can start with either the left or right sleeve.
4
Fold your other sleeve towards the center, just like the first one. Mirror your movements for the first sleeve. Fold the other sleeve towards the center so your fold is made near the shoulder.^{[4]
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5
Fold your sleeve forward, creating another fold. After your sleeve is positioned on the back of your shirt, pinch the top and the bottom of your sleeve. Fold your sleeve on top of the rest of your sleeve. Make this fold at an angle, forming a broad “V” shape with your fold.^{[5]
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- Your sleeve’s folds should meet right around the shirt’s collar, laying flat at the seam.
- Do this for both the left and right sleeves.
6
Hold the tail of your shirt with 2 hands and fold the shirt lengthwise. You can make 1 or 2 folds, based on the length of your shirt. For shorter shirts, make your fold from the bottom up, so the bottom edge rests below the collar. For longer shirts, make 2 folds from the bottom, so your folds are stacked on top of each other.^{[6]
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7
Flip over your folded shirt so it faces the front, and store in your bag. Repeat this for all of your dress shirts, and you’ll be ready to travel.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Expert Interview. 16 December 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Avoiding Wrinkles By Folding Shirts Together

1
Lay one of your shirts flat, with the back facing you. Use a flat surface, like a table. If you are using a dress shirt with buttons, you should button them up.^{[8]
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- You can use both dress and T-shirts.
2
Place your finger at the neckline of your shirt and fold your sleeves. This will form a straight line down the edge of your shirt. You can do this for either short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirts.^{[9]
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3
Move the left sleeve to the fold line you created. This will fold your sleeve on top of the back of your shirt.^{[10]
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- If you are folding a short-sleeved shirt, your sleeve will fold onto the top third of your shirt.
- For longer sleeves, your sleeves will line the length of your shirt.
4
Fold in your right sleeve like you folded the left, so it lays flat. Now both of your sleeves should be lying flat on top of the back of your shirt.^{[11]
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- You can smooth out the surface of your shirt, so the shirt is perfectly flat and wrinkle-free.
5
Place your second folded shirt on top of your first shirt. Place your shirt towards the bottom of your first shirt, though leave a 3-5 inches at the tail of your shirt.^{[12]
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- Make sure you fold your second shirt before you fold it into the first shirt.
6
Sandwich your second shirt in between both halves of your first shirt. Fold your first shirt around your second shirt. Your second shirt should now be in between the top and bottom half of your first shirt.^{[13]
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7
Flip your shirts over so they face the front. Now you can pack your shirts into your suitcase. This technique cuts down on wrinkles, so you won’t have to worry about an iron while traveling.^{[14]
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- It is helpful to still hang up or lay out your clothes after you reach your destination. Folding your shirts with this method will prevent wrinkles, but they can still form from the few folds you do make.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Saving Space by Rolling Your Clothes

1
Lay your shirt flat and face up. You want a flat surface so you can make tight, neat rolls.^{[15]
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2
Take the bottom of your shirt and fold it about 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 centimetres) up. This will create a “pocket” which you will tuck the body of your shirt into.^{[16]
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- You can also roll your shirts without creating a fold from the bottom.
3
Fold your shirt into thirds. Pinch your sleeve and shirt bottom, and fold it into the center. Do this for both the left and the right sleeve, dividing your shirt into thirds.^{[17]
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- You can start with either the left or right sleeve, whichever you prefer.
4
Fold your sleeves over the center of your shirt. This will tuck in your sleeves, and your shirt will look like one, thin rectangle.^{[18]
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- Try to make these folds as flat and secure as possible, to help you roll up the shirt.
5
Roll up your shirt neatly and tightly, starting at the collar. Hold the sides of your rectangle, fold the edge on top of the shirt, and roll the body of your shirt over top. Leave minimal space in between your rolls to keep them tight.^{[19]
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- It is okay if you have to roll your shirt over again to make sure it is neat. You want your shirts to roll up into a small, compact bundle.
6
Tuck the edge of your rolled shirt into your bottom fold. Roll your shirt up to the bottom, and place the bottom fold over top of your rolled up shirt, tucking it in. This will keep your shirt from unrolling as you pack.^{[20]
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- You can also roll up your shirts without tucking them into the bottom of your shirt. The tuck helps keep the shirt securely rolled, but it is optional.
7
Place all of your rolled shirts at the bottom of your suitcase. This will create an even, level base. Pack the rest of your clothes over top your rolled shirts.
- You can also roll up your other clothing, like your pants and sweaters.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you fold a shirt for packing so it doesn't wrinkle?

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.

Caitlin Jaymes

Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Put dress shirts in your suitcase last so that they're on top of all of your other clothes. This will keep them from getting wrinkled. Take them out as soon as you get to your destination. If your shirts do wrinkle in your suitcase, either use a wrinkle spray on them or hang them up in the bathroom while you're showering. If you're staying at a hotel, you can also ask the front desk if they can press your shirts for you.
Question

How do I keep dress shirts from wrinkling during travel?

Caitlin Jaymes
Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist
Caitlin Jaymes is a Closet Organizer and Fashion Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. With a background in Fashion PR and Fashion Design, she specializes in creating wardrobes for her clients with pieces they already own. She has experience working with celebrities, editorial shoots, and men and women of all ages. Caitlin uses fashion and organization to help instill and influence confidence, ambition, and stress-free lifestyles for all her clients. She runs her business by two guiding principles: “fashion has no rules, only guidance on how to look and feel your best” and “life has too many stressors, don’t let clutter be one of them.” Caitlin’s work has been featured on HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, VoyageLA, Liverpool Los Angeles, and the Brother Snapchat Channel.

Caitlin Jaymes

Closet Organizer & Fashion Stylist

Expert Answer

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Button at least the top, center, and bottom buttons. Then, fold the shirt neatly. This will keep it from wrinkling.
Question

How do you fold polo shirts for travel?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
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Staff Answer

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The rolling technique works well for polo shirts. If you’d rather fold your shirt flat, button all the buttons and lay it face down on a flat surface. Find the center of your shirt, then fold both sides of the shirt toward the center line. Fold the sleeves back so that they touch the outer edges of the folds you just made. Next, take the bottom of the shirt and fold it halfway toward the top, then fold it up a second time, so that the bottom of the shirt is touching the collar. If you’re stacking several shirts in your luggage, put a layer of tissue paper between them and avoid stacking them too deep.