How to Fold Underwear and Socks for Travel

Want to know how fold your underwear to leave the smallest footprint in your suitcase? Learn below how to pack light and save space when you travel to those fun filled international destinations.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• T Shirts
• Underpants
• Socks
• 1 Vacuum space saver bag
• Clear space to fold clothes

1. 
    
   Fold in the sleeves

   The best way to fold a T-shirt is to lay it out flat front side down and fold in the sleeves.

2. 
    
   Fold in the side

   Take one side of the shirt and fold 1/3 of the shirt overtop the middle third of the shirt.

3. 
    
   Complete by folding in the other side

   Now fold the other side overtop the middle third of the shirt. If the shirt was cut into thirds, they would be stacked.

4. 
    
   Roll the T-Shirt

   To create the smallest footprint we will roll the shirt up tightly starting from the top.

5. 
    
   Fold underwear in same manner

   Do the same folding technique for the underpants and roll them up tightly starting the roll at the waistband.

6. 
    
   Complete the folds

   Lay the rolled underwear out and place them in a space saving vacuum bag. I suggest putting two rolled underpants and three rolled T-shirts in the bottom layer. When starting the second layer, put two rolled T-shirts on top of the two rolled underpants and the remaining three underpants on top of the three rolled T-shirts. The reason for doing this is for easy access to both during travel without having to dig through to the bottom of the bag.

7. 
    
   Roll the underwear

   If you need to pack more underwear for your trip, the placing of the underpants and T-shirts in the bag should be alternating as we did with the set of five above.

8. 
    
   Lay one sock on top of the other and fold in half

   The hotel method of folding socks is what I recommend. Turning them in like a ball is an acceptable method as well, but I just prefer the hotel method. To fold the socks using the hotel method, lay one sock on top of the other.

9. 
    
   Insert hand and pinch fold of top sock

   Fold the top sock over in a half fold. Then place your hand inside the bottom sock and pinch the fold of the top sock with your fingers while pulling the top of the bottom sock off of your hand and over the top sock. I prefer this method because it sizes the socks in an elongated manner matching it in length somewhat with the rolled T-shirts and underwear.

10. 
     
    Finished product

    Enjoy your travels while looking your best.

Tips & Warnings

• Space saving vacuum bags for packing clothes can be found at Target and other such discount department stores.
• Women underwear does not lend itself well to this method of rolling and should be folded instead.

[upchurch]

on 8/12/2009 I will definitely try this next time I pack a suitcase. Great tips!

[starlet67]

on 3/14/2009 Great use of photos and steps for smooth traveling!5*

[globewatcher]

on 3/9/2009 I used to roll my t-shirts like that in the army. We had to measure the size using a dollar bill. It definitely fits better when traveling or hiking. Thanks

[miasavc]

on 12/26/2008 Excellent article! I did this too!!!

[sneedc]

on 12/21/2008 NO ONE SHOULD KNOW if my skivvies are wrinkly!!! THAT's just none of their business! lol. Great article though; so when do we leave?