Folding collared shirts can feel like wrestling an alligator—just when you think you've got it under control, the collar pops up like it's got a mind of its own. But don't toss your dress shirts into the "I'll deal with it later" pile just yet. There's a stupidly simple trick that'll have your collars lying flat and your drawers looking like a Pinterest dream. And no, it doesn't involve ironing (because who has time for that?).
Forget those fussy origami folds that take twelve steps and a YouTube tutorial to master. The military roll—adapted from how soldiers pack their uniforms—is your new best friend. Lay the shirt face down, smooth out wrinkles with your hands (we're being civilized here), then fold each side inward about one-third of the way. Now here's the magic: flip the collar backward so it's lying flat against the back of the shirt before rolling tightly from the bottom hem up. The weight of the rolled fabric keeps the collar in submission, and you can fit twice as many shirts in your drawer. Bonus: this method prevents those weird horizontal creases that make you look like you slept in your work clothes.
That haphazard "fold in half and hope for the best" technique? It's why your closet looks like a fabric tornado hit it. Traditional folding puts pressure on the collar's natural curve, causing it to spring back like a stubborn slinky. And stacking shirts vertically (Marie Kondo-style) only works if your collars are already disciplined—otherwise you're just creating a domino effect of wrinkled chaos. The real villain? Gravity. Without proper support, collars gradually rebel throughout the day, which is why your 9 AM meeting shirt morphs into a frumpy mess by lunch.
For those who need to transform a dress shirt into a gym bag-friendly package (we see you, after-work date crowd), try the burrito roll. Button the shirt completely, lay it face down, then fold the sleeves diagonally toward the center like you're making a paper airplane. Fold the bottom third up, tuck the collar under the folded hem, then roll from left to right. The collar gets sandwiched securely inside the bundle, protected from rogue dumbbells and protein shake leaks. Unroll it later, give it a quick shake, and boom—presentable enough for happy hour cocktails.
Some shirts fight back harder than others because of their fabric DNA. Cotton-poplin collars? Generally well-behaved. Slim-fit linen? Basically a wrinkle time bomb. For problem fabrics, employ the "fold and flip" reinforcement: after doing the initial side folds, flip the entire shirt over so the collar is against your folding surface, then complete your preferred method. This extra step trains stiff collars to stay put. Pro tip: store folded shirts with the collars facing alternating directions—it distributes pressure and prevents that weird "bent in storage" deformity.
Frequent flyers swear by the "collar cuff" technique for wrinkle-free arrivals. Fold your shirt normally, then use the collar points themselves as anchors—fold each tip inward so they cross slightly at the center, creating a natural press. When packed in your suitcase, these crossed collars act like built-in weights. Hotel ironing hack: hang the shirt in the bathroom during a hot shower; the steam will relax any travel-induced creases while you sip your complimentary terrible coffee.
Master these folds and you'll never waste another Sunday afternoon playing ironing catch-up. Your shirts will stay crisp from drawer to destination, and you might actually enjoy opening your dresser instead of treating it like a wrinkled shame box. Now go forth and fold like you mean it—your future well-dressed self will thank you.
