How to Fold Long-Sleeved Polos

The first polo shirt was worn in 1893, according to “Time Magazine.”

Polo shirts, also referred to as tennis shirts and golf shirts, are favored by polo athletes because the turned-over collar remains down during play, according to the Ralph Lauren website. Typically, polo shirts are made out of knitted cloth with a two- or three-button placket and a fold-down collar. Men wear polo shirts as part of their everyday wardrobe, but a polo shirt must be folded properly to keep its formal look.

Instructions

1. Button up the polo shirt and ensure the collar is folded down.

2. Lay out the long-sleeved polo shirt onto a smooth surface with the buttons facing down.

3. Brush your hand over the shirt to remove any wrinkles.

4. Take one sleeve and fold the sleeve and side of the shirt over so that there is no more than two inches of shoulder showing.

5. Hold the shoulder and bring the sleeve down to sit on the shirt, aligned with the edge of the lateral fold. Repeat this step on the other sleeve.

6. Fold the bottom of the shirt and sleeves up so that the shirt is a perfect square, as opposed to a rectangle.

7. Fold the already folded bottom of the shirt up again so that its top edge sits just below the collar.

8. Stack the shirt neatly inside a drawer.

Tips & Warnings

• Iron the shirt prior to folding it to ensure the collar is crisp and that there are no wrinkles.

References

• Ralph Lauren: History & Origin
• YouTube: How to Fold Long Sleeve Polo Shirt; January 2010
• "Time Magazine": A Popular Shirt Tale; September 1986