Imagine: you’re trying to pack a half-empty suitcase or dealing with a disorganized closet. Folding a jacket, the right way can actually be a game changer for you. It makes it possible not only to pack your clothes in a way that saves space, but also to keep them wrinkle-free and thus, help your favorite outerwear to look good.
With this guide, we got you covered! You will discover the best jacket folding methods available. With sharpen blazers to big winter jackets, your clothes will always be collapsed as the new ones.
First Things First: Fold or Hang?
Before folding, you should first make the right choice. Should you fold or hang? This decision is critical for the garment to be preserved for as long as possible. It is like a preventative measure from getting damaged over time. The decision depends on your jacket’s material, construction, and storage time.
When You Should Always Hang Your Jacket
Some jackets necessarily have to be on a hanger, especially for long periods of storage. Blazers, like those made of wool and tweed, need hanger support. So do real leather jackets, and formal coats. Hanging them prevents shoulder distortion and permanent lines. In addition, some jackets adorned with delicate beading or decorations should be hung to prevent damage.
When It’s Smart to Fold Your Jacket
Folding is an effective technique for packing, short-term storage, or fitting jackets into drawers. It’s great for flexible materials that compress well. Materials like down puffers, nylon raincoats, denim jackets, and fleece are excellent candidates. Knowing folding techniques can significantly ease your packing problems.
Jacket Type/Material | Best Method |
---|---|
Suit Jacket / Blazer | Hang (Long-Term) / Fold (Travel) |
Leather Jacket | Hang Only (Long-Term) / Roll (Travel) |
Down Puffer Jacket | Fold / Roll |
Denim Jacket | Fold / Roll |
Raincoat / Windbreaker | Fold / Roll |
The Essentials: Two Universal Folds for Most Jackets
The majority of casual jackets only require two basic folding methods. These techniques are essentially the same for hoodies, windbreakers, and light jackets. Although they can be used for weekend traveling, they are very useful to keep your shelves organized.
Method 1: The Classic Rectangle Fold
This is the easiest and fastest way to fold a jacket for drawer/shelf storage. It creates a clean, stackable shape.
- Place the jacket face-down on a flat surface. Zip or button it completely to create an even shape.
- Fold one sleeve straight across the back of the jacket. Fold the second sleeve over the first. This creates a long, narrow rectangle.
- Fold the jacket in half or thirds. Start from the bottom hem and move toward the collar. Choose the size you need.
Method 2: The Space-Saving Ranger Roll
This technique is a creation of military professionals. The Ranger Roll maximizes space in suitcases or backpacks. This method creates a tight, secure bundle that won’t come apart.
The key to success is to maintain tension and squeeze out all air while you roll. The first thing you will notice is the jacket collapsing into a firmer shape that will take less space in your bag.
- Lay the jacket face-down, zip it up, and smooth it out. Fold the bottom hem inside-out by about four inches. This creates a “pocket” at the base.
- Fold the right side of the jacket toward the center line. Fold the sleeve down so it runs parallel to the body. Repeat with the left side. You should now have a long rectangle.
- Start at the collar and roll the jacket down as tightly as possible toward the pocket you created.
- After the roll is completed, use both hands to pull the inside pocket which is turned inside out over the whole thing. This will secure it tightly. There are tons of videos online that show this kind of space-saving rolling, but they are mostly about clever space-saving folding hacks.
Specific Jacket Types Folding Styles (Avoiding Damages)
Different jackets have their special folds. Structured or delicate pieces require special folding techniques that will protect these features. Here are the steps to folding various jacket types.
The Structured Suit Jacket or Blazer
The first goal when folding a blazer is shoulder pads and lapel structure protection. A single fold might create a visible crease just in the middle. “The inside-out shoulder” trick is for professionals.
This is the best-known method to keep wrinkles out of fitted clothing. If you want to read the full details of this folding method, click here.
- Keep the jacket in front of you, hold it with hands in the shoulders, just as you were to wear it.
- Fold the jacket lengthwise in half, making the lapels touch.
- Turn one shoulder inside out and show the lining.
- Tuck the other shoulder with the outside lining into the turned inside one. The lining of the first shoulder now protects the outside of the second.
- Lay the jacket, smooth it, and fold it horizontally in half for the most compact and secured package.
The Bulky Puffer or Down Jacket
For bulky puffers, compression is the goal. In packing these, we aim to get rid of all air. This time, though, we need to do it in a way that the down or synthetic fill can puff up after unpacking.
It’s always important to zip it up first. This keeps the bulk in one place and makes it easier to follow through. As you fold or roll, it is necessary to press down gently but firmly to expel air but avoid crushing it with too much force.
- Zip the jacket fully and lay it face-down.
- Fold the sleeves across the back to form a rectangle.
- If it has a hood, start rolling tightly from the bottom hem up toward the hood.
- Once you reach the hood, tuck the entire rolled jacket into the hood itself. This creates a self-contained pouch.
- If there’s no hood, use the Ranger Roll method described earlier. The inside-out pocket at the bottom will secure the bulky roll.
The Delicate Leather Jacket
When folding a leather jacket, one must be particularly careful. Sharp creas can become unremovable. Hanging is always the better option for prolonged storage. This technique is only for when you really want to avoid it.
The point is to avoid sharp folds. Instead, we will create soft rolls. Optionally, you can roll a soft t-shirt with the jacket to create a soft core for extra protection.
- Lay the jacket face-up and zip it about halfway.
- Gently fold the arms across the body, following the natural grain of the leather.
- Starting with the collar, loosely roll the jacket down without pressing or creasing it.
- The end result should be a loose, soft roll not a tight bundle. Place it over other clothes in your suitcase.
The Casual Denim or Bomber Jacket
Denim and bomber jackets are tough. They come with durable fabrics that allow room for error when folding them.
The Classic Rectangle Fold and the Ranger Roll are two great methods for this. For denim, it is generally better to have a tight roll compared to just a flat fold. In this way a single crease that forms at the center of the back is really hard to remove.
Beyond the Fold: Pro Tips for Packing and Storage
A perfect fold is just the beginning. A few additional strategies will be the cherry on top to help your jackets remain perfect from closet to destination and back.
Smart Packing Strategies
Packing cubes are a traveler’s best friend. You can keep your neatly folded jackets in them, compressed and organized in your luggage.
When packing your suitcase, put the heaviest folded jackets first near the wheels so that they can balance the suitcase well. You may use denim or fleece for this. The delicately folded blazers or the leather jackets should always be placed on top of the other soft clothing so as not to crush the blazers/leather jackets.
Long-Term Storage Solutions
When garments are out of season, it is advisable to use breathable garment bags instead of plastic ones which are the dry cleaner’s. Plastic bags trap moisture, which can lead to mildew or discoloration. It is perfectly fine to compress the down jacket for a trip. But avoid leaving it compressed for months since this could severely damage the fill and reduce its warmth.
How to Quickly Banish Wrinkles After Unpacking
Regardless of how well you folded, minor wrinkles may appear, which are fortunately easy to fix.
- The Shower Trick: Hang the jacket inside the bathroom when you take a hot shower. The steam will effectively get rid of the wrinkles.
- A Damp Towel: Place the wrinkled jacket flat and press it with a slightly damp, clean towel to smooth out the creases.
- Wrinkle-Release Spray: A small bottle of wrinkle-release spray is a fantastic travel accessory for quick touch-ups on the go.
Mastering these simple folding methods are Effective techniques for storage or travel. But knowing how to handle wrinkles upon arrival completes the process.
Conclusion: Fold with Confidence
Folding a jacket isn’t just a skill but a life hack. It’s a way of keeping your clothes well and looking good, as well as saving space while doing all of these. At the same time, it also makes travel and organization a lot simpler. With the right method, you can be confident that your clothes are wrinkle-free and in perfect condition.
For heavily made items that can stand the test of travel and proper storage, you can try out the quality clothing manufacturer which will provide you with the long-lasting apparel design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it better to roll or fold clothes for packing?
Generally, rolling is a better method for saving space and avoiding hard creases in casual items like t-shirts, knitwear, and denim. It provides uniformity in compressing the fabric. For formal wear, it is best to carefully fold in such a way that the garment’s shape is protected, for example, with the inside-out shoulder method rather than rolling.
How do I fold a jacket to fit in a backpack?
The Ranger Roll is the best choice for backpack packing. It creates an extremely tight, compact, and secure bundle that won’t unravel, maximizing every inch of space. For a puffer jacket, folding or rolling it into its own hood is another excellent, space-saving technique that works well in a backpack.
Will folding a leather jacket ruin it?
Long-term folding can create permanent creases and damage a leather jacket. It should always be hung for storage. However, for short-term travel, you can safely fold it by creating very loose, soft rolls instead of sharp, defined creases. Place it at the top of your bag and unpack and hang it immediately upon arrival.
How do you fold a suit jacket without getting wrinkles?
The best way to fold a suit jacket is with the inside-out shoulder fold. This involves folding the jacket in half lengthwise, tucking one shoulder into the other (which has been turned inside-out), and then making a single horizontal fold. This technique protects the delicate shoulder structure and the exterior fabric from friction and creasing.
Can all jackets be folded into their own pocket or hood?
No, this is a specific design feature of “packable” jackets. These are typically lightweight down puffers or synthetic insulated jackets that have a specially reinforced pocket or hood designed to serve as a stuff sack. Attempting to force a standard jacket into its own pocket can stretch or damage the fabric and zipper.