How to Fold a Men's Button Up Shirt

Not everyone was lucky enough to learn to fold clothes correctly, but it's a handy skill to have, especially when packing clothes in suitcases. It's also great to know how to fold collared button up shirts to free up some room if you have a closet jammed with clothes on hangers. Read on to learn how to fold a men's button up shirt.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Half-folded Collared Shirts

1. Begin with the collared shirt buttoned up and grab the shoulder seams, bringing them together and leaving the collar up.

2. Lay the shirt on a flat surface and bring the arms in towards the buttons, bringing the side or flank of the shirt over an inch or two. Smooth out the armpit, flank and arms of the shirt.

3. Fold the arms of the collared shirt inward for long sleeved shirts, angling them downward so they fit inside the margins of the folds created.

4. Bring the tail to the collar and fold in half again, creating fourths. For collared shirts that are not as long, bring the tail to the middle of the shirt and fold upwards toward the collar, creating thirds.

Center-folded Collared Shirts

5. Place the buttoned shirt face down on a flat surface. The collars should be folded or buttoned down.

6. Use a magazine or similar sized piece of cardboard as a folding guide. Lay it in the center of the shirt lining the edges up with the shoulder seam.

7. Fold the flanks of the shirt over towards the center of the folding guide.

8. Bring one sleeve over to the opposite side so it lines up with the folded edge. Bring the remaining sleeve over again to the other side, keeping it within the margins of the folds, and always angling the folds downward. Repeat with the other sleeve.

9. Bend the curved portion of the tail in creating a smooth edge, and bring the tail up towards the shoulders. Fold into fourths or thirds depending on the length of the shirt, and get it as tight around the folding guide as possible.

10. Flip the collared shirt over, sliding the guide out through the open area at the collar. Lay multiple shirts together by alternating the collared with the tails.

Tips & Warnings

• Start with clothes that are as wrinkle free as possible. Iron the collared shirt beforehand, or take it fresh from the dryer before wrinkles have a chance to set in.
• Even when clothes are wrinkled, properly folding them allows for some of the wrinkles to smooth out, especially when traveling with the added pressure of other clothes on them.