How to Fold Shorts: 5 Folds to Help You Save Space

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Use these easy methods for travel, packing & more
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Are you looking to reorganize your spring and summer wardrobe? With all the different folding techniques out there, you might not know the best way to put away your shorts. That’s okay! We’re here to answer your questions and walk you through the best and most popular folding techniques out there, from the standard method to the Marie Kondo method. Read on to learn how to store your shorts for daily use, packing, and travel, with expert tips from a professional organizer and a professional cleaner.

How to Fold Shorts to Save Space

  1. Fold your shorts in half vertically and align the legs.
  2. Fold them horizontally, aligning the waistband and leg cuff.
  3. Hold your shorts so the horizontal fold is at the top and the waist and legs are facing down.
  4. Place the shorts in your drawer upright instead of stacked on top of each other.
Section 1 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts Quickly & Easily

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  1. Fold vertically along the seam, so both back pockets of your shorts are touching one another. Smooth out the garment with your hands. Then, make a horizontal fold from the side with the button to the middle of your shorts to form a narrow rectangle. [1]
  2. Line up the waistband and the leg opening, and fold your shorts into a small, compact square. Now, slip your newly-folded shorts into a drawer, where you can stack them on top of other garments! [2]
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Section 2 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts like Marie Kondo

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  1. Start by folding the shorts vertically over the central, vertical seam, so both sides of the garment line up. Then, fold your shorts horizontally, lining up the waistband with the bottom of the pant leg. [4]
  2. Instead of stacking your shorts on top of one another, place them next to each other in your drawer so that each pair is visible. This way, you’ll have an easier time finding what you need as you’re getting ready in the morning. [6]
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Section 3 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts Using the Tri-Fold Method

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  1. 1
    Lay your shorts flat and fold the waistband outward. Grab your shorts and lay them on a flat surface, like your bed or a table. Flatten them out with your hands so the fabric is nice and smooth, then grab the waistband and fold it outward so the opening is facing the legs of your shorts. [7]
  2. 2
    Fold each leg in half, then fold the shorts in half. Grab your short leg and fold it in half vertically. Make sure the inside is facing the opposite leg. Then, grab the opposite leg and fold it in half vertically. Once you have the two half-folds, fold your shorts in half so the legs are on top of each other. [8]
    • This works best if your shorts are made of a thin material.
  3. 3
    Roll them up toward the waistband from the bottom. Make sure your rolls and nice and tight. Smooth out any air from the shorts as you roll to keep them as compact as you can. Keep rolling up until you reach the top of the waistband. [9]
  4. 4
    Grab the folded flap of the waistband and put it over the rolled shorts to secure them. Once you’ve completed your roll, grab the remaining flap that’s left over from your waistband, then fold it over the rolled shorts to hold it all together. Once the fold is secure, your shorts will be able to stay in place and even stand on their own if you’d like! [10]
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Section 4 of 8:

How to Roll Shorts

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  1. If you can, fold the waistband at least 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) forward, so the top part of your shorts is inside-out. Then, smooth and straighten out the legs of your shorts, so the garment won’t be too wrinkly once it’s folded. [11]
  2. Fold your shorts vertically across the central seam, lining up both legs. Then, fold in the fly of your shorts, so they’re easier to roll. [12]
  3. Turn your folded shorts so the pant legs are facing you. Starting at the bottom of the legs, pinch and roll the material toward the waistband. Then, pull the folded waistband over the rolled fabric—it’ll act like a pocket for your folded shorts. [13]
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Section 5 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts Using the Waist Pocket Method

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  1. 1
    Fold your shorts vertically with the front pockets facing each other. Face the front of your shorts towards you. Grab one leg and fold it towards the other leg so the pockets are touching. Then, smooth the shorts out with your hands, moving them from the center outward. [15]
  2. 2
    Fold the back hem forward and bring the bottom of the shorts to it. If your shorts have any extra slack in hemming towards the back, grab it and fold it towards the front of your shorts so that you form a rectangle. [16]
  3. 3
    Fold the waist down so the shorts form a rectangle. Take the top half of your shorts where the waist is and fold it into the middle of your shorts to make a small rectangle. Fold it so the waist sits about halfway down your shorts. [17]
    • Hold the back hem down while you do this.
  4. 4
    Fold the bottom edge of your shorts into the gap of the waist. Take the leg-end of your shorts and fold it into the waist gap (also called the waist pocket). Push enough of the leg end into the pocket so your shorts go from a rectangle to a square. [18]
    • Once you fold the edge into the pockets, the shorts will be secure enough to stay folded on their own.
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Section 6 of 8:

How to Fold Shorts for Packing & Travel

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  1. Roll your shorts when packing for a trip. Rolling your shorts when you’re packing for travel can help save space in your suitcase and prevent wrinkles. [19] On the other hand, stacking them in the suitcase takes up more space.
Section 7 of 8:

Should I fold or hang my shorts?

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  1. Wrinkle-prone fabrics, like linen, will probably fare better on a hanger. However, casual garments, like your khaki and denim shorts, are perfectly safe to fold and store. [20]
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Section 8 of 8:

How to Prevent Your Shorts From Wrinkling

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  1. Before you start folding, grab your shorts along the waistband and shake them out. Then, fold your shorts in half vertically and shake them out again. As you fold your shorts, smooth out the top of the fabric to get rid of any obvious wrinkles. [21]
  2. 2
    Use permanent press when you dry your clothes. According to professional cleaner Bridgett Price, “the best way to reduce wrinkles is to use the dryer.” The permanent press setting helps set the right temperature for the clothes so they don’t wrinkle when they cool down. With this method, it’s important to hang or fold your shorts immediately, because “the longer they sit, the more likely they’re going to wrinkle,” according to Price. [22]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-fold-shorts/
      2. ↑ https://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-fold-shorts/
      3. ↑ Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®. Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager. Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.
      4. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkmqbJTLBM&t=3m43s
      5. ↑ Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®. Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager. Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/marie-kondos-3-best-storage-tips
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=jJYbSZ2b03H7eqKm&t=249
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=49NmAj1xkQ4HN6ub&t=262
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=fXYpNilb4N3ZFN7p&t=276
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/WLeJIbUumtI?si=nav5AqBW9LucDWwd&t=281
      2. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nw9rXfs05g&t=1m45s
      3. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nw9rXfs05g&t=2m11s
      4. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nw9rXfs05g&t=2m29s
      5. ↑ Marty Stevens-Heebner, SMM-C, CPO®. Certified Professional Organizer & Senior Move Manager. Expert Interview. 14 January 2020.
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=rDAyo3m6LXsTvH8M&t=58
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=X_EQFe7Oyu-453b1&t=71
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=FqrobS0HaC4j2-7U&t=80
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/cu64wvG_sD8?si=RGer_sFa2fgWywo5&t=87
      10. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/folding-vs-rolling-vs-packing-cubes-pack-suitcase/
      11. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2016/03/22/how-to-store-clothes-to-make-them-last/
      12. ↑ https://www.mamaslaundrytalk.com/how-to-fold-shorts/
      13. ↑ Bridgett Price. House Cleaning Professional. Expert Interview. 23 May 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To fold shorts, first lay them face-up on a flat surface. Fold them in half once vertically. Then, fold them in half horizontally, lining up the waistband and the bottom of the legs. Store your folded shorts upright side-by-side in a drawer instead of stacking them on top of each other so they’re easier to find when you need them. To roll shorts so they’re more compact for packing, first fold the waistband down about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) over the front. Then, fold the shorts in half vertically. Finally, roll the bottom of the legs up toward the top of the shorts and tuck the roll into the waistband. For shorts made with wrinkle-prone fabric, like linen, try hanging them on a hanger instead of folding them to avoid wrinkles.

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