How to Fold a Dress Shirt for Travel

Traveling with dress shirts can be a challenge, as you want to keep them looking neat and wrinkle-free during your journey. Properly folding your dress shirts is essential to ensure they arrive at your destination in good condition. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fold a dress shirt for travel:

Materials You’ll Need:

• A clean, flat surface
• Your dress shirt

Steps:

1. Preparation:

• Start with a clean, dry, and ironed dress shirt. Ironing your shirt before folding it will help minimize wrinkles during travel.

2. Lay the Shirt Flat:

• Lay the dress shirt flat on a clean, smooth surface, such as a bed or a table. Make sure the shirt is fully buttoned.

3. Collar and Cuffs:

• Begin by folding the collar down and smoothing it flat. Ensure the cuffs are also buttoned.

4. Fold in the Sleeves:

• Fold one sleeve horizontally across the back of the shirt, aligning it with the shoulder seam. The sleeve should be parallel to the upper edge of the shirt.

5. Fold the Other Sleeve:

• Fold the other sleeve in the same manner, creating a straight line along the back of the shirt.

6. Fold the Bottom Hem:

• Fold the bottom hem of the shirt up, so it meets the bottom of the sleeves. This will create a rectangular shape with the sleeves folded on top.

7. Fold in Half:

• Now, fold the shirt in half vertically, bringing one side over the other. Make sure the edges align precisely.

8. Additional Folding (Optional):

• If you want to further reduce wrinkles, you can fold the shirt in half once more horizontally, tucking the tail end into the collar.

9. Packing:

• Place the folded dress shirt in your suitcase or travel bag. If possible, pack it in a garment bag to provide extra protection against wrinkles and creases.

Tips:

• If you’re packing multiple dress shirts, consider using plastic dry-cleaning bags or tissue paper between each shirt to prevent them from rubbing against each other and causing friction-induced wrinkles.
• Rolling your dress shirts is another method to minimize wrinkles. Roll the shirt tightly from the bottom up, starting with the sleeves. This can save space and reduce creases.
• If you’re traveling for a formal event or business meeting, you may want to invest in a travel garment bag or suitcase with built-in garment compartments to keep your dress shirts in pristine condition.

Properly folding your dress shirts for travel can help you arrive at your destination looking sharp and well-dressed, whether it’s for business or leisure. With a little care and attention, you can keep your shirts wrinkle-free and ready to wear.