Rolling Your Sport Coat: Packing Tips

Packing a sports coat can be a tricky task, especially if you want to keep it crease-free. The best way to pack a sports coat is to roll it, as this minimises the number of folds in the fabric. However, if you are short on space, there are other methods you can use to fold your jacket and prevent creases.

Rolling a sport coat

If you're packing a sport coat, you'll want to avoid creases and save space in your luggage. The best way to do this is to roll the coat, rather than folding it. Here's how to do it:

Lay your sport coat facedown on a flat surface. Make sure it is unbuttoned so that you will be able to fold the shoulders back. Spread the arms out flat and straight. You can start with the coat facing up, then gently flip it over to ensure everything is laying flat with no creases or folds.

Fold the left shoulder back first and turn the right shoulder inside out. Tuck the left shoulder underneath the right one, making sure that the sleeves don't get wrinkled during this process. When you fold the right shoulder back, ensure the entire inside-out panel of the coat lays flat. When you tuck the left shoulder under the right shoulder, keep an eye on the collar to make sure it is not creasing.

Now, flip over the coat and fold it in half once, horizontally, from bottom to top. You should now have a neatly folded sport coat ready to pack away!

When packing your coat, avoid placing it at the bottom of your suitcase or storage box, and don’t put any heavy items, such as shoes, on top of it. It's best to store coats like this for only short amounts of time and hang them whenever possible.

If you're packing a suit, you might want to try a different method. First, grab the front of the collar of your suit jacket and pull it back around to the back of the jacket. When you’re done, the two sleeve holes on your jacket should be facing outward. Then, fold your suit jacket in half lengthwise, so the front, open side of the jacket is facing out, and the two shoulders are touching. Next, fold the bottom edge of your suit jacket up to the middle, and then fold the top edge down to the bottom crease. Your suit jacket should now be folded into a neat square, ready to be packed!

The shirt-style fold

First, hold the coat so that the back is facing you. Alternatively, lay the coat facedown on a flat surface. The coat should be unbuttoned. Tuck the collar of the coat under your chin while standing up.

Next, fold the sleeves and shoulders so that one side overlaps the other behind the back. It doesn't matter which side you fold over first, but you need to make sure that they overlap in such a way that the blazer becomes a rectangle.

Finally, fold the coat lengthwise from bottom to top and tuck the hem under the collar. Slightly lift the back of the collar and slide the hem under to keep the coat neatly folded together. This is the last fold you need to make, and you should now have a coat bundle that resembles a folded dress shirt.

Remember that you should not keep the coat folded up like this for extended periods, because it can retain creases in the multiple horizontal and vertical folds that you have made.

Packing a suit jacket

The Tucked-Shoulder Fold

This method is ideal if you need to pack your suit jacket flat, and it will also work if you need to store your jacket for a while. It does, however, require a bit of practice to get it right.

• Place the jacket on a flat surface, unbuttoned.
• Turn one shoulder inside out and tuck the other shoulder into it, so that the seams are against each other.
• The sleeves should now be lying straight down the jacket, one on top of the other.
• Fold the jacket from the bottom so that the breast panels (with their linings turned outward) sandwich the whole thing.
• Place the jacket on top of everything inside your bag.

The Shirt-Style Fold

This is a quick and easy method if you are in a hurry.

• Hold the jacket so that the back is facing you.
• Fold the right sleeve into the centre of the jacket, so that the seam going down the back lines up with the centre of the sleeve.
• Fold the left sleeve into the centre, so that it lies directly on top of the other sleeve.
• Bring the bottom edge of the jacket up to the top edge and fold.
• Place the jacket on top of your other belongings inside your bag.

The Jacket Roll

This method is best for preventing creases, but it does take up more space.

• Place the jacket on a flat surface, unbuttoned.
• Pop the shoulders inside out by grabbing the front of the collar and pulling it back.
• Fold the jacket in half lengthwise, so that the back is covered by the fold and the front is facing outwards.
• Roll the jacket loosely from the top down to the bottom.
• Place the rolled-up jacket inside your bag.

Avoiding creases

To avoid creases when packing a sports coat, there are a few methods you can try. Firstly, choose the right material. Synthetic clothing such as lycra, nylon and polyester tend to travel better, and knits are a good wrinkle-free option for chillier evenings. If you can, avoid linen as it is prone to creasing.

If you are going to fold your sports coat, try to minimise the number of folds needed, and try to keep them along the seams. The less you fold across a flat plane of fabric, the better. You can also try the 'shirt-style' fold, where you fold the sleeves behind the back, with the shoulders overlapping slightly in the middle, and then fold the bottom hem up underneath the collar.

However, if you want the best protection against wrinkles, rolling is the way to go. To roll your sports coat, first pop the shoulders inside out. Then, lay the jacket down on a flat surface, with the jacket folded in half lengthwise. Next, roll the top edge of the jacket loosely down to the bottom edge. Don't roll it too tightly or your jacket could wrinkle.

Packing for limited space

Choose the Right Folding Technique:

When packing a sport coat in a small space, you have a few folding options to choose from. You can try the tucked-shoulder fold, the shirt-style fold, or the roll method. Each method has its advantages and will depend on the amount of space you have.

The Tucked-Shoulder Fold:

This method distributes pressure in your suitcase by reducing the number of folds. Lay your sport coat flat on a surface, unbuttoned. Gently work one shoulder inside out, then tuck the other shoulder into it, seam against seam. The sleeves should lie straight down, one on top of the other. Fold it in half from the bottom, and you're ready to pack it away. This method is ideal when you need a flatter fold and want to avoid stacking items on top of your coat.

The Shirt-Style Fold:

If you're short on time and need a quick folding solution, the shirt-style fold is a good option. Hold your sport coat so the back is facing you, or lay it on a flat surface. Fold the right sleeve into the centre, then fold the left sleeve so it lays directly on top. Now, fold the coat in half from the bottom to the top. This method creates a thin, vertical rectangle that can easily fit in small spaces.

The Roll Method:

If you're working with limited luggage space, the roll method can be a space-saver. Pop the shoulders of your sport coat inside out, then fold it in half lengthwise so the front, open part is facing out. Lay it on a flat surface and roll the top edge down to the bottom edge, being careful not to apply too much pressure to avoid creases. This method is ideal for saving space, especially vertical space in your luggage.

Additional Tips:

• If you're travelling with a full suit, stash it in a plastic dry-cleaning bag before placing it in your suitcase.
• When folding, try to minimise the number of folds and keep them along the seams to avoid creasing.
• If possible, stow your jacket with the lining facing outward to protect the outer fabric from scuffs or tears during transport.
• Avoid placing your coat at the bottom of your suitcase or storage box, and don't pack heavy items on top of it.
• If you have a garment bag, hang your sport coat on a hanger, and keep it wrinkle-free during your travels.

With these tips in mind, you'll be able to pack your sport coat efficiently, even in limited space.

Frequently asked questions