Best way to fold a shirt?
 

Ok, guys, what is the best way to fold a long-sleeve button down shirt into a trunk bag? Pants have always been self-explanantory, and I have never had trouble with wrinkles on my shirts, but I am using a much smaller Arkel Tail Rider now and need some pointers. For one, I now only buy stain-resistant, wrinkle-resistant shirts, but the best folding method is still a mystery to me.

Thanks!

roll it

Yup.

I do it this way: pants layed out folded in half (knees touching, not ankles/waist) and then lay the shirt on top of that, again folded in half (at the buttons). I then put an undershirt and boxers/socks at the bottom of the pants and do one big roll-up. Stick that in a plastic bag and voila! you have less wrinkles than if you had driven to work.

I have found that the underwear at the bottom of the pants (and therefore, the center of the roll) is essential to making sure your shirt doesn't get wrinkled. It creates a bit of a core for everything to roll onto, which decreases wrinkles at the bottom of the shirt...even though that part ends up tucked in anyway.

I can post pictures and diagrams if a more detailed how-to is requested. :)

x 3

+1 roll it

Yes, roll it. Don't fold anything, particularly on a warm, humid day.

Paul

Roll it like a blunt.

Tomorrow is my "carry a shirt and tie to work week"

-Sigh-

Beautiful. Just beautiful.

+1
Only difference is I roll the full length of the pants, and fold the shirt in thirds over the front, which keeps the collar from getting crimped. If you have showers, put the shirt on a hanger near the showers. Warm humid air takes any non-creased wrinkles out.

I also found that underwear core trick, and agree that it makes a huge difference.

I fold it, sort of like it comes when you buy it new--but smaller,then I put it inside a plastic bag (the kind the newspaers come in). The plastic keeps the wrinkles out (just like when you get a shirt cleaned, it comes back in a plastic bag). I also fold it just before I leave in the morning, and hang it up as soon as I can in the locker room where I shower and change. It is in the bag max of an hour and a half. I have no problems with wrinkles. I had a trunk bag, and could put three shirts in it vertically, along with underwear and socks... I keep pants and shoes and coats at work.

My current bag is a large camelback style backpack, and the clothes fits inside nicely--no wrinkles.

train safe-

This works well, I used it today for a big meeting:
http://www.eaglecreek.com/40153.html

Just make sure your pannier is big enough.

These things are awesome. The only downside is they add a bit of bulk for only one set of clothes. I have one I use when travelling and with multiple garments it does a great job of keeping things nice and compressing the load.

-D

If you roll it carefully with no wrinkles, it works.

Roll it. If you've got that gift-wrapping-tissue-paper kind, use it in between. Helps keep wrinkles at bay.

Okay I cheat. I get my shirts laundered and ask to have my shirts boxed. Each shirt is folded around cardboard and rapped in cellophane for 20 cents more than a hanger. The fold wrinkles work their way out of my cotton shirts in about 20 minutes from body heat. Plus, when I change my shirt, underwear, and socks at work I use the cellophane as my laundry bag to keep my backpack from smelling like a gym locker.

+1 on rolling

+1 on the pack-it

I've done both with success, but used the pack-it this morning.

And yes, shower steam does help a lot. If you have the prison-style showers, hang your shirt on one of the unused heads. Even if it gets a little spray on it, it'll dry.

+1 on rolling everything together - wrinkle resistant items (socks, boxers) in the middle, wrinkle prone items on the outside

Alternatively, bring a travel iron to work.

Beating a starched shirt to death: I roll ALL my clothes when stuffing it into my Tail Rider.

Um, wow. Did David Blaine come up with that? :D

Lay the shirt flat as it would look from behind you were wearing it. Put a National Geo magazine on the stomach. Fold the shirt and sleeves toward you.

Flip the shirt over and slide the magazine out from the bottom. Fold the bottom up. Presto!

Roll it. Bundle it. Around something.

rolling works great