How to Fold a Button-Up Shirt Three Ways

A button-up shirt is a closet staple you likely have many versions of; a crisp white one for black tie events, a classic striped shirt for a day at the office, or a relaxed chambray version for the weekend. If you're tight on hanging space in your closet, there are folding methods that will help you save space while keeping the shirts from getting creased. Folding a button-up shirt may seem a little daunting, and it does take a little more care than folding a t-shirt, but if you follow our step by step guide, you'll have beautifully folded, easy-to-store shirts every time.

Fold It Into a Rectangle

1. Place It Button Side Down

   Take a button-up shirt and place it on a flat surface with the button-up side facing down. Make sure it is fully buttoned up (or at least button every other button), then lay it down gently so the collar doesn't get squashed and flatten out any creases and wrinkles in the shirt.

2. Fold Sleeves Inward

   Take the right sleeve and fold it towards the center of the shirt. Do the same with the left sleeve and flatten them both out. The two sleeves will form a v-shape.

3. Fold Sleeves Up

   Next, take the right sleeve cuff and bring it up to the top of the sleeve, essentially folding the sleeve in half. Do the same with the left sleeve, so both are folded in half.

4. Fold in Thirds

   Then, starting at the bottom of the shirt, fold it up about a third of the way, then fold it over again so the top fold lines up with the shirt collar. Flip it over so the button-up side is facing up and you'll have a neatly folded rectangle-shaped shirt that can easily be placed in a dresser drawer.

Roll It

The rolling method is best suited for soft-textured, more relaxed-style button-up shirts such as a chambray or flannel one.

1. Lay Shirt Buttons Up

   Start by placing the button-up shirt on a flat surface such as a table or a bed with the front side facing up this time and smooth it out.

2. Fold Into Thirds

   Take the right side and fold the shirt into thirds, then take the sleeve and fold it down diagonally so the right side of the shirt is a straight line. Do the same with the left side — folding the shirt into thirds and placing the left sleeve down diagonally. You should have a thin rectangle-shaped shirt now.

3. Roll Tightly

   Starting with the collar end, begin rolling the shirt like a jelly roll. Roll it tightly and evenly to prevent creasing and keep rolling until you're a couple of inches away from the bottom of the shirt.

4. Tuck In the Bottom

   Take the rolled shirt part and carefully tuck it into the bottom shirt opening to fully secure it. This way it won't unroll and can easily and neatly be stored inside a dresser drawer.

Fold It Like a Retail Store

This folding method is a good way to keep button-up dress shirts crisp and pristine.

1. Lay the Shirt Button Side Down

   Take the shirt and lay it on a flat surface with the button-up side facing down. Make sure that it is buttoned as this will help keep the folds even.

2. Fold Sleeves Over

   Starting with the right sleeve, fold it over so the sleeve cuff lines up with the bottom of the shirt. Then, take left sleeve and do the same. The sleeves will overlap, so flatten them out and make sure they lay one on top of the other neatly.

3. Fold Bottom Up Twice

   Take the bottom of the shirt and fold it up a couple of inches, so you have a nice, clean fold. Then, fold it over again so the final fold lines up with the collar, giving you a retail store-style folded shirt that can easily be stacked on shelves for wrinkle-free storage.

Storing Folded Button-Up Shirts

There are a couple of different ways to store folded button-up shirts to preserve a crisp fold and keep them from getting wrinkled. Shirts folded into a rectangle according to the first method can be stored upright in a drawer. Use drawer dividers or bins to create compartments within the drawer to help shirts stay in place, to separate different types and to make putting away folded laundry easier. Store rolled shirts in the same way, placing them in bins or organizing them in dividers. For button-up shirts folded using the third method, stack them on a shelf. Keep the stacks short as this will keep the shirts on the bottom from being squashed under the weight of too many shirts and they'll stay nice and pristine.