How to Fold a Dress Shirt (No Wrinkles, No Hassle)

Folding a dress shirt seems simple, until you pull it out of the drawer and it looks like it’s been through a spin cycle. The good news? A few quick tweaks to your technique can mean the difference between crisp and crumpled.

Here’s the short version: Button it up, smooth it out, fold in the sleeves, then fold the shirt into thirds from the bottom up. Always fold on a flat surface and avoid sharp creases.

At Mizzen+Main, our performance dress shirts are wrinkle-resistant by design, so they’ll bounce back even if your folding isn’t perfect, but knowing the right method will still keep them looking sharp longer.

Step-by-Step: How to Fold a Dress Shirt

1. Button It Up

Fasten the top button and every other button down the front. This helps the shirt keep its shape and prevents fabric from shifting while you fold.

2. Lay It Flat

Find a clean, flat surface like a table or bed. Place the shirt face down, smoothing out any wrinkles with your hands.

3. Fold in the Sleeves

Take one sleeve and fold it straight across the back of the shirt, lining it up with the opposite edge. Then fold the sleeve down toward the hem, creating a clean rectangle. Repeat on the other side.

4. Fold the Sides

Fold one side of the shirt inward so the edge meets the middle of the back. Repeat with the other side. You should now have a long, even rectangle.

5. Fold from the Bottom Up

Fold the bottom third of the shirt up toward the collar, then fold again so the hem meets just below the collar. Flip it over—you’ve got a neatly folded shirt ready for storage.

Pro Tips for Wrinkle-Free Folding

• Don’t overstuff drawers: Give your shirts room to breathe so they don’t crease.
• Use tissue paper: Slip a sheet inside the shirt before folding for extra wrinkle prevention.
• Pack shirts last when traveling: Less time in a suitcase means fewer wrinkles.

When to Fold vs. When to Hang

If you’re at home and have closet space, hanging is always the best option for keeping a dress shirt perfectly clean. Folding is ideal for travel, small spaces, or keeping backup shirts in a drawer at the office.

The Takeaway

Folding a dress shirt doesn’t have to feel like origami. With a few simple steps—and the right wrinkle-resistant fabric—you can keep your shirts looking sharp without breaking out the iron.

Because great style should be effortless.

Frequently Asked Questions About Folding Dress Shirts

1. Should you fold or roll dress shirts for travel?

Folding is better for keeping a crisp shape, especially with performance fabrics. Rolling can work for casual shirts, but it can create deep creases in dress shirts.

2. Do you button shirts before folding?

Yes—buttoning keeps the fabric aligned and prevents shifting during storage.

3. Can you fold a dress shirt while it’s damp?

No. Always let it dry completely to avoid set-in wrinkles or mildew.

4. What’s the fastest way to fold a dress shirt?

Button it, smooth it, fold in the sleeves, fold the sides, then fold in thirds from the bottom—less than 30 seconds with practice.

Mizzen+Main performance dress shirts are made to resist wrinkles, wick moisture, and move with you—so they look great whether you hang them, fold them, or pull them straight from a suitcase. Ready to upgrade your wardrobe? Shop our Wrinkle-Resistant Dress Shirts and take advantage of our promo code MAINMAN3(opens in new window) to get $75 off your third shirt.