Folding laundry of various type and description is not nearly as tough as it may sound – there is a method to folding most garments that can be mastered with a little patience and a bit of practice.
How to Quickly and Easily Fold T-Shirts, Work Shirts, or Dress Shirts
The easiest garments to fold are quite likely t-shirts. Simple place the t-shirt, face down, on a flat surface. Grasping the shoulder seam and the top tip of the sleeve, bring the sleeve over the back of the shirt. Repeat this process for the reverse side. Finally, bring the bottom of the shirt's trunk up to the square of the shoulders, just below the neck.
Work and dress shirts – collared shirts – require a bit more work. Begin with the shirt laid as above, with the shirt facing away. For long-sleeved shirts (short sleeved dress shirts essentially following the same practice as t-shirts), place a hand on the outer part of the sleeve closest to the torso of the shirt, and pull the sleeve across the torso until it extends, likely, beyond the other side. Let the sleeve lie flat, then pull the too-extended sleeve back unto the torso of the shirt – not overlapping, perhaps at a slight angle. Repeat this for both sides.
To neaten the appearance of this fold, one might perform a second fold across, beginning at the extending shoulder and sleeve portions and folding them approximately four to six inches onto the torso of the shirt before tucking them up as in the first example. This presents a salesworthy, showroom appearance. More utilitarian personalities needn't observe this step.
How to Quickly and Easily Fold Denim Jeans, Dress / Casual Pants, Suits & Blazers
Folding jeans can be a bit more difficult than folding plain shirts, but it is certainly not impossible. Ensure the jeans are undone, and then lift them into the air with both hands. Grasp the jeans at the hips and pull them slightly taut, facing oneself.
Fold the jeans in half so that the hips or hip loops are nearly touching. Keeping a grip on the waist fold that was just produced, allow a free hand to pull at the crotch seam, backwards and outwards – this should produce a slight point. At this point, the jeans should be lined up reasonably well, with the legs one over the other. Allow the waist to drape over the forearm and hang on a wooden hanger.
Folding dress and casual pants can be a little more delicate. Pinch the undone waistband closure together so that about two to three inches (including the button and the hook clasp) fold over within the pants. This should mean that the waistband is largely even and straight, but with a slight “fourfold” layer on the left-hand side, facing oneself in the air. The backseam should be straight and the legs should effortlessly overlap. Hang as above, and use a pant clip to reduce slippage in the closet.
Folding a blazer or a suit jacket is actually quite effortless. Pull the sleeves inside out and leave them within the garment – they will merely get in the way and this mechanism will surely reduce wrinkling. Hang the blazer or jacket from a forefinger directly by the center seam within the neck – both sides of the jacket should overlap when viewed in profile. The jacket can be laid flat like this without any worries, but if further folding is necessary, the jacket should simply be folded over – gently – with the crease running just below the breast pocket.
Other Articles on the Subject of Men's Fashion and Lifestyle by Nicholas Morine
Readers looking for practical advice on sartorial issues would do well to brush up on how to dress smart casual, how to dress for a bar or nightclub, or perhaps how to tie a necktie.
Nicholas Morine - Nicholas Morine Bachelor of Arts, English Language & Literature Master of Philosophy, Humanities (Candidate) Memorial University ...
