Is It Better to Roll or Fold Dress Shirts for Travel?

Keeping dress shirts crisp and presentable while traveling is a common challenge, whether you're going on a work trip or to a formal event. One of the hardest things for travelers to decide is whether to roll or fold their dress shirts. Both methods have their good points, and picking the right one can mean the difference between coming with wrinkled clothes or stepping out looking freshly pressed. This guide will go over both ways of packing in-depth and show you the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best one for your trip.

Why Rolling is the Smart Choice for Packing Dress Shirts

Rolling dress shirts have emerged as a preferred packing method among seasoned travelers, and for good reason.

Benefits of Rolling the Dress Shirts

Space efficiency is perhaps the most compelling reason to roll rather than fold. Dress shirts can take up to 30% less room in your luggage if you roll them up the right way. This means you can either pack more things or choose a smaller suitcase.

Also, the rolling method spreads the pressure evenly across the cloth, so it's much less likely to get deep wrinkles that are common with traditional folding.

Another big benefit is that your luggage will be better organized. You can easily stack rolled-up shirts next to each other, which lets you see and get to specific shirts without moving the rest of your packed things around.

Step-by-Step Rolling Technique

To achieve the best results, follow this refined rolling method:

• Start by buttoning your shirt completely, including the collar and cuffs. This creates a stable foundation for rolling and helps maintain the shirt's shape.
• Lay the shirt face-down on a flat surface and use your hands to smooth out any existing wrinkles.
• Fold both sleeves toward the center of the shirt, creating clean lines at the shoulders. For long-sleeved shirts, ensure the sleeves lie flat against the body of the shirt. Then, fold each side inward approximately three inches to create a narrow rectangle.
• Beginning at the bottom hem, roll the shirt upward as tightly as possible. For added security, especially during longer trips, consider using a rubber band or packing strap to keep the roll tight.
• This rolling method not only keeps your shirts safe, but also makes them small and easy to pack, which saves room in your luggage and keeps your clothes fresh and ready to wear upon arrival.

When Traditional Folding Makes More Sense for Your Dress Shirts

While rolling has its merits, sometimes the old-fashioned way of folding could be the best.

Advantages of Folding the Dress Shirts

For high-end dress shirts, especially ones with collars that are starched or special fabric finishing, folding works best. This method keeps important parts of clothes from getting wrinkles, like collars and cuffs.

Folding is also the best way to store structured luggage or clothing bags made just for business clothes.

When staying at a hotel or resort for a long time, folded shirts go easily from the suitcase to the drawer storage. This way works better because many high-end hotels have drawers designed specifically for folded shirts.

Step-by-Step Traditional Folding Method

For folding dress shirts, the retail fold and the military fold are two very good options. Each is used for different purposes and in different scenarios.

• Button up. Secure all buttons, including cuffs, to maintain structure and prevent collar distortion.
• Face down. Lay the shirt front-down on a flat surface, smoothing out wrinkles.
• Fold sleeves. Align each sleeve diagonally toward the shirt's center, creating a straight vertical line.
• Side folds. Fold the left and right sides inward, meeting at the center seam for a streamlined shape.
• Vertical thirds. Fold the shirt from bottom to top in thirds to fit structured luggage compartments.
• Final placement. Store folded shirts in packing cubes or hotel drawers, stacking collars alternately to minimize creases.

How to Choose Between Rolling or Folding Your Dress Shirts

There are a few important things you should think about when deciding how to pack your dress shirts.

What Kind of Fabric Is Your Shirt?

• Wrinkle-resistant and cotton blend shirts roll up very well, keeping their shape and making the best use of the room.
• You can use either method on a pure cotton shirt, but they may require more careful handling.
• If you have starched shirts or shirts with special finishes, standard folding is often better. These structured garments benefit from the softer pressure distribution that folding provides, which helps them keep their crisp look.

How Long Is Your Trip?

Rolling is the best way to go on short trips that last one to three days. This way, you can get to your clothes quickly and make the most of the space in your luggage. If you're going to be somewhere for four days or more, and there's a place to hang your clothes, folding becomes more useful. This method makes it easy to transit from luggage to closet storage.

How Do You Store Your Dress Shirts?

Think about the storage choices at your accommodation. Hotels with proper hanging space and drawers favor folded shirts, which helps you stay organized throughout your stay. If you need to store clothes in a small space or in a more casual setting, rolled shirts might be a better option because they are easy to access and can be easily stored in smaller spaces.

How Are You Going to Get Your Shirts?

Think about how often you'll need to get to your shirts during the trip. Rolling makes it easier to see and pick out certain shirts without too much effort, especially for trips where you need to change clothes a lot. If you plan to unpack upon arrival and won't need to repeatedly access your luggage, folded shirts work better.

Do You Have Enough Time/Space or Not?

Time constraints and available luggage space can tip the scales. When you're in a hurry to pack or trying to fit more into your limited bags, rolling is the best option because it saves time and space. Folding takes longer, but it may be worth it to keep the pristine look of expensive dress shirts.

Universal Best Practices for Packing Dress Shirts

Regardless of your chosen method, certain practices will help ensure your shirts arrive in the best possible condition.

Before Packing Your Luggage

Make sure all your style shirts are freshly laundered, completely dry, and properly pressed before packing to avoid problems like mildew or wrinkles that come from moisture.

During Your Packing Process

Protect the dress shirt as much as possible while packing by taking the following steps:

• Put plastic dry-cleaning bags between them to reduce friction.
• For extra protection, use tissue paper, especially around the collar and cuffs.
• Shirts should be in the middle layer of your luggage, away from heavy things and the suitcase exterior.
• Keep shirts safely separated from shoes and toiletries to prevent damage or stains.
• It's best not to overpack sections because too much compression causes deep wrinkles.

When You Reach Your Destination

As soon as you get there, take immediate action to maintain your shirts' appearance. Take your dress shirts out of the suitcase as soon as possible. Hanging the shirts helps the wrinkles fall out and stop new ones from forming. The bathroom is a great place to hang shirts for a short time because the steam from the shower can help smooth out wrinkles.

Making Use of Hotel Services

Do not be shy about asking the hotel staff for an iron and ironing board. Most hotels offer these services for free, and some high-end hotels even give steaming services. For shirts with stubborn wrinkles, a quick press with a hotel iron can get them back to their original crisp state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does rolling dress shirts hurt them in the long run?

A: If you do it right, rolling dress shirts rarely hurt the shirt permanently. The risk is different for each type of cloth. Delicate materials, like pure silk or linen, tend to wrinkle more easily. On the other hand, dress shirts made with synthetic mixes or wrinkle-resistant fabrics roll up well.

Q: Which fabrics wrinkle least when you roll them up?

A: Performance dress shirts made from polyester-spandex blends are the best at resisting wrinkles when rolled. Most of these modern fabrics have 2-3% elastane or spandex in them, which helps them stretch and bounce back after being compressed. Shirts made of regular cotton tend to wrinkle more easily, though wrinkle-resistant cotton treatments can help. Look for labels that mention "wrinkle-free," "non-iron," or "travel-ready" for best results.

Q: Can I combine both rolling and folding methods?

A: As long as you take into account each shirt's importance and material, it will be fine. A lot of tourists fold their dress shirts and roll up their casual shirts.