Packing Sport Coats: No-Wrinkle Method

Packing a sports jacket without getting wrinkles can be a challenging task. The thick fabric and complicated construction of a sports jacket make it prone to wrinkling and creasing when folded or rolled incorrectly. However, with the right techniques, it is possible to pack a sports coat without causing any creases or wrinkles. Here are some tips to help you pack your sports coat without wrinkles:

Roll your jacket

Rolling your jacket is a great way to pack it without getting wrinkles. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First, lay your jacket on a flat surface and pop both shoulders inside out. You will want to put the shoulders together, lining them up carefully to ensure there are no wrinkles. Smooth out any wrinkles by gently shaking the jacket.

Second, line up the lapels neatly. Grab the shoulders and lay the jacket onto a table, ensuring the lapels and shoulders remain aligned.

Third, start rolling the jacket gently and loosely. There is no need to make a tight roll. Rolling it lightly allows the jacket to retain its shape and ensures that it is not pressed too flat, which could cause creases.

Fourth, place the rolled jacket into your bag. It is important to note that a rolled jacket will take up more space, especially vertical space, than a flat-folded one.

Finally, when you reach your destination, carefully unroll the jacket and pop the shoulders back out. If done correctly, your jacket should be wrinkle-free and ready to wear!

This method is ideal for protecting your jacket from wrinkles, as it minimises the number of folds and creases. The roll method is particularly useful if you are travelling for a shorter period or do not want to spend time ironing or steaming your jacket upon arrival.

Use a dry cleaning bag

Using a dry cleaning bag is a great way to pack a sport coat without wrinkles. This method will protect the fabric and can cut down on creasing. Here's how to do it:

First, hang the sport coat inside the dry cleaning bag, using a hanger. Make sure the lapels are facing you. Then, gather the bottom hem of the jacket and fold it up towards the collar, creating a 'taco shell' shape with the lapels and front of the jacket on the inside, and the back on the outside.

Next, fold the jacket in half by bringing the bottom hem up to the collar again. You can now place the folded jacket into your suitcase. This method is quick and efficient, making it ideal if you're in a rush.

If you want to be extra careful, you can roll up a t-shirt and place it inside the shoulder of the jacket before folding it. This will provide additional stability and help prevent wrinkles.

Remember, when using a dry cleaning bag, it's important to use a rigid hanger and ensure the jacket is not cramped inside your luggage. Give the jacket enough space to breathe, and always unpack and hang it as soon as possible after your journey.

The tucked-shoulder fold

To achieve the tucked-shoulder fold, begin by gently working one shoulder of the jacket inside out. Then, tuck the other shoulder into the inside-out shoulder, allowing the sleeves to lie straight down the jacket. Next, fold the breast panels over the jacket, and finally, fold the entire jacket in half from the bottom. The jacket can now be packed away in a suitcase, ready to be worn without excess wrinkles.

It is important to handle the jacket gently during the folding process to avoid any damage or distortion. This method may take a couple of attempts to perfect, and it is generally easier to perform on a clean, flat surface.

The shirt-style fold

First, turn the jacket inside out. This is an important step as it helps to protect the outer fabric of the jacket. The lining of the jacket will be on the outside, so any wrinkles that occur during travel will be on the inside of the jacket when you wear it.

Next, pop the shoulders inside out. Put your hand inside the coat and push your fist into the shoulders to pop the lining out. This makes the jacket easier to fold and avoids the awkwardness of dealing with inward-facing shoulder pads.

Now, you can start folding. Gather both shoulders in one hand and use the other hand to grasp the jacket at the midpoint of its collar. This will fold the jacket in half lengthwise. Straighten out the material so that the liner is still on the outside.

Then, fold the jacket in half horizontally. Place your forearm across the middle of the jacket and fold the top over, creating a roughly square bundle that will fit easily into your suitcase.

Finally, place the jacket in a plastic bag to protect it from the other items in your luggage. Slide the folded jacket into a large plastic bag, such as a dry cleaning bag or a large ziplock bag, and seal it carefully. If you don't have a bag, you can use a sheet of sturdy plastic material. Place the jacket in the middle of the sheet and fold the sides in and under the jacket.

The jacket roll

First, lay your jacket on a flat surface, such as a table or a bed. If your jacket has sleeves, spread them out flat and straight. Make sure that your jacket is unbuttoned so that you can easily fold the shoulders back.

Next, pop both of the shoulders inside out and line up the lapels. It is important to ensure that there are no wrinkles at this stage. You can do this by gently shaking out the jacket.

Now, grab the shoulders and line them up again. Lay the jacket onto the table with the lapels still lined up and the shoulders aligned.

Then, simply roll the jacket up gently. It doesn't need to be a tight roll; just roll it loosely so that there is air inside.

Finally, place the rolled-up jacket into your bag. When you reach your destination, unroll the jacket and pop the shoulders back out. If you have followed these steps correctly, your jacket should now be ready to wear, completely crease-free!

Frequently asked questions