How To Fold A Shirt With The Department Store Method: 7 Steps

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO®

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References

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  • Folding the Sleeves
    • |
  • Folding the Shirt Together
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO®. Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University. This article has been viewed 326,977 times.

The "department store method" is the industry standard for folding shirts neatly. Perhaps you want to reorganize your dresser. Maybe you want to refold the shirts that you try on at the department store. The process is easy if you know the steps![1]

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 2:

Folding the Sleeves

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 1 Lay out the shirt. Spread the shirt face-down on a flat, clean surface. Smooth out any wrinkles. Let the arms of the shirt lay naturally extended. If the shirt features buttons or a zipper: button all buttons, and zip the zipper shut completely before you begin folding. [2]
    • If the shirt has a hood: fold this bit down first. Lay the hood down flat against the back of the shirt before folding the sleeves inward.
    • Try placing a clean, crisp magazine on the back of the shirt as a guide for a neater fold. Squarely center the magazine right below the collar. Then, make your folds in line with the edges of the magazine.[3]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 2 Fold one sleeve of the shirt. First, pinch the top of the shirt on either side of the collar. Hold the fabric tight so that you don't create any unwanted creases. Then, take the sleeve on the same side that you're holding the collar. Fold the sleeve and any extra fabric across the center crease of the shirt. Make a straight line from top to bottom on the folded side. Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 3 Fold the other sleeve. Repeat the fold for the sleeve that you haven't creased yet. For the sake of presentation, try to make the second fold symmetrical with the first. Don't be afraid to adjust the sleeves a bit so that they match one another.[4]
    4. Advertisement
Part 2 Part 2 of 2:

Folding the Shirt Together

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 1 Fold one side of the shirt to the center. The edge of the shirt should extend almost exactly halfway across the back of the shirt. Firmly crease the edge so that it forms a perfect vertical line down the back of the garment.
    • If the shirt has long sleeves: fold them back in on themselves so that they run lengthwise down the back of the shirt.
    • If the shirt has short sleeves: fold them so that they fit neatly and symmetrically into the back of the shirt.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 2 Bring the other side to the center. Fold the other edge of the shirt over to meet the first edge in the middle of the back. Make sure that the two edges run parallel, and that they do not overlap.
    • If you are using a magazine to make the fold more precise: fold each side of the shirt until it hits the magazine. Simply fold the shirt to the width of a magazine.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 3 Crease the shirt in half. Fold up the bottom edge of the shirt so that it meets the top of the shoulders. Let the edge rest just below the collar. Smooth out any creases, and make sure that the fold is symmetrically all the way across the width of the shirt.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Fold a Shirt with the Department Store Method 4 Flip the shirt over to finish. Make sure that all the edges are straight and crisp. Smooth out any creases or wrinkles in the fabric, and check that the shirt is ready for sale. In department stores, the shirt is always displayed with the front facing up. [5]
    • If you are folding your shirt for convenient home storage, then it is doesn't matter so much which way you display the garment. It may still be convenient to keep your shirts front-side up so that you can easily tell which is which.
    5. Advertisement

Tips

  • It doesn't matter what type of shirt you are folding. Even short-sleeved T-shirts can be folded this way! There may not be much to the sleeve, so just fold it inward slightly. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • In the USA, several department stores with standardized folding methods include JCPenney, Old Navy, and Sears. If you want to watch the fold in action, visit a department store and watch a retail assistant fold shirts. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Unfolded shirt of any kind
  • flat surface for folding

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References

  1. ↑ http://www.today.com/style/how-fold-shirt-sweater-pants-more-professional-t67541
  2. ↑ https://www.lifestorage.com/blog/storage/storing-winter-clothing-during-the-summer-months/
  3. ↑ http://www.today.com/style/best-way-fold-shirt-try-magazine-hack-t67176
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wa4g7h4VC4
  5. ↑ http://www.redbookmag.com/life/charity/a39679/shirt-folding-personality-reveal/

About This Article

Kathi Burns, CPO® Co-authored by: Kathi Burns, CPO® Board Certified Professional Organizer This article was co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO®. Kathi Burns is a board certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and Founder of Organized and Energized!, her consulting business with a mission to empower people to master their environment and personal image by assisting them in taking control, making change and organizing their lives. Kathi has over 17 years of organizing experience and her work has been featured on Better Homes and Gardens, NBC News, Good Morning America, and Entrepreneur. She has a BS in Communication from Ohio University. This article has been viewed 326,977 times. 3 votes - 100% Co-authors: 16 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 326,977 Categories: Featured Articles | Shirts and Tops Article SummaryX

If you want to fold a shirt using the department store method, button up and zip your shirt then lay it flat with the back facing up. Next, grasp the collar and fold one sleeve to the middle then repeat for the opposite sleeve. After folding the sleeves, fold each side of the shirt toward the center so that the two edges meet in back. To finish, simply fold the bottom up to the shoulders and flip your shirt over. For help mastering the technique and getting rid of any creases, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Janani Rajaraman

    Janani Rajaraman

    Jul 22, 2016

    "Being a fashion designing student, this method of folding gives me a confident and professional touch. Love this a..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Kathi Burns, CPO® Co-authored by: Kathi Burns, CPO® Board Certified Professional Organizer Co-authors: 16 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 326,977 100% of readers found this article helpful. 3 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Janani Rajaraman

Janani Rajaraman

Jul 22, 2016

"Being a fashion designing student, this method of folding gives me a confident and professional touch. Love this a..." more Share yours!

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