Imagine embarking on an adventure, your luggage filled with neatly folded shorts that are ready to keep you cool and comfortable. Folding shorts for travel can be a daunting task, but with these expert tips, you can ensure your shorts stay wrinkle-free and organized throughout your journey. Whether you’re packing light or bringing multiple pairs, mastering the art of folding shorts will save you precious space and make unpacking a breeze.
To begin, spread your shorts flat on a surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Fold one leg over the other, aligning the side seams. Next, bring the waistband down over the legs, creating a rectangle. Tuck the bottom hem of the shorts up towards the waistband, ensuring it’s securely tucked in. Finally, fold the shorts in half lengthwise, bringing the legs together and aligning the waistband.
For even more compact folding, you can employ the “rolling method.” Start by laying your shorts flat and folding one leg over the other. Roll the shorts tightly, starting from the waistband down to the hem. This technique creates a cylindrical shape that’s perfect for fitting into small spaces. Once rolled, the shorts can be secured with an elastic band, ensuring they stay compact during transit.
The KonMari Method
Folding Shorts Using the KonMari Method
The KonMari Method, developed by Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo, emphasizes folding clothes in a way that maximizes space efficiency and makes it easy to see and access every item. To fold shorts using this method, follow these steps:
- Lay the shorts flat: Smooth out the shorts on a flat surface, with the waistband facing you and the legs parallel to each other.
- Fold the legs in half vertically: Bring the right leg over the left leg and align the side seams. Press down to create a crease.
- Fold the bottom edge up: Take the bottom edge of the shorts and fold it up towards the waistband, aligning the hem with the crease created in step 1.
- Fold the top edge down: Bring the top edge of the shorts down towards the bottom edge, aligning the waistband with the crease created in step 2.
- Fold the shorts in half horizontally: Bring the upper half of the shorts down to meet the lower half, aligning the folded edges.
- Stand the shorts upright: Take the folded shorts and stand them upright on one of their short ends.
- Shape the shorts: Gently press on the sides of the shorts to create a rectangular shape, with the waistband and hem aligned.
The Military Roll
This tried-and-true method is renowned for its efficiency in packing and durability, making it ideal for minimizing wrinkles and maximizing space. Follow these simple steps:
- Lay one leg of the shorts flat, aligned with the top edge. Fold the other leg over it, aligning the seams.
- Starting from the bottom hem, begin rolling the shorts tightly upwards, ensuring both legs stay aligned throughout the rolling process.
- Continue rolling until you reach the waistband. Tuck in any loose ends to secure the roll.
- For added compactness, you can then fold the rolled shorts in half lengthwise, bringing together the waistband and the bottom hem.
- Secure with a rubber band or string to prevent unraveling during travel.
-
Fold the shorts in half vertically.
-
Fold the waistband down.
-
Roll the shorts from the bottom.
- Zip up the shorts all the way.
- Fold the shorts in half lengthwise, bringing the two legs together.
- Fold the shorts in half again, bringing the waistband to the hem.
- Tuck the zipper pull into the waistband to keep it from snagging on other items in
your luggage. - Start by laying the shorts flat on a surface.
- Fold one leg over the other, bringing the bottom hem up to meet the waistband.
- Roll the shorts tightly from the waistband to the hem.
- Secure the roll with a rubber band or hair tie.
- Lay the shorts flat on a surface.
- Fold the shorts in half lengthwise, matching the side seams.
- Fold the shorts in half again widthwise, matching the waistbands.
- Tuck the bottom hem of the shorts into the waistband.
- Roll the shorts up from the bottom to the top.
| Step 1 | Step 2 |
|---|---|
|
Align legs and fold one leg over the other |
Roll shorts tightly from the bottom hem upwards |
The military roll is particularly advantageous for shorts made of wrinkle-resistant fabrics. It minimises wrinkles and allows for easy packing, making it an excellent choice for extended trips or frequent travelers.
The Packing Cube Method
Packing cubes are a great way to keep your belongings organized and wrinkle-free while you travel. To fold shorts using the packing cube method, follow these steps:
Place the shorts flat on a surface and fold them in half lengthwise, matching the side seams together.
Fold the waistband of the shorts down towards the hem, creating a crease about 2-3 inches from the top of the shorts.
Starting at the hem, tightly roll the shorts up towards the waistband. Use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles as you roll and continue rolling until you reach the waistband. Tuck the rolled-up shorts into the packing cube, making sure to fill the cube as much as possible to minimize wrinkles.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Keeps shorts organized and wrinkle-free | May require more time to fold compared to other methods |
| Convenient for packing and unpacking | Can be bulky if you have a lot of shorts to pack |
| Protects shorts from dirt and moisture | Less efficient space utilization compared to rolling or folding methods |
The Square Fold
This method is perfect for minimizing wrinkles and maximizing space in your luggage.
1. Lay your shorts flat with the waistband at the top.
2. Fold the bottom half of the shorts up to meet the waistband.
3. Fold the shorts in half lengthwise.
4. Tuck the bottom corners into the top of the shorts. Start by grabbing the bottom right corner and folding it up to meet the top of the shorts. Then, repeat with the bottom left corner. Make sure to tuck the corners in tightly to prevent them from unfolding.
5. Fold down the waistband to cover the tucked-in corners
6. Fold the shorts in half widthwise one last time.
How To Fold Shorts For Travel
The Roll and Tuck
Lay your shorts flat, with the waistband at the top.
Roll up the shorts from the bottom, starting with the cuffs.
Once you reach the waistband, tuck the rolled-up shorts into the waistband.
Fold the waistband down over the shorts.
Secure the shorts by tucking the excess fabric into the waistband.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lay the shorts flat with the waistband at the top. |
| 2 | Roll up the shorts from the bottom, starting with the cuffs. |
| 3 | Once you reach the waistband, tuck the rolled-up shorts into the waistband. |
| 4 | Fold the waistband down over the shorts. |
| 5 | Secure the shorts by tucking the excess fabric into the waistband. |
The Reverse Roll
Reverse rolling is a popular choice for packing shorts, as it helps to minimize wrinkles and conserve space. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Lay the Shorts Flat:
Spread the shorts out on a flat surface, with the front side facing up.
2. Fold the Legs Inward:
Fold one leg inward, aligning the side seam with the center crease of the shorts. Repeat with the other leg.
3. Roll from the Waistband:
Starting at the waistband, tightly roll the shorts towards the hem, keeping the legs folded inward.
4. Secure with the Waistband:
Once you reach the hem, fold the waistband over the rolled-up shorts to secure them.
5. Roll the Waistband:
Roll the waistband up around the rolled-up shorts to create a compact bundle.
6. Tuck in the Ends:
Tuck the ends of the waistband into the bundle to prevent them from unraveling.
7. Tighten and Adjust:
Gently tighten the roll and adjust the shorts to fit snugly within the waistband. The amount of tightening depends on the desired firmness of the bundle.
This table summarizes the key steps:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lay the shorts flat |
| 2 | Fold the legs inward |
| 3 | Roll from the waistband |
| 4 | Secure with the waistband |
| 5 | Roll the waistband |
| 6 | Tuck in the ends |
| 7 | Tighten and adjust |
The Zipper Lock
If your shorts have a zipper, you can use it to your advantage when packing.
First, zip up the shorts all the way. Then, fold the shorts in half lengthwise, bringing
the two legs together. Finally, fold the shorts in half again, bringing the waistband to the
hem. The zipper will help to keep the shorts folded together, making them less likely to
wrinkle or unfold during travel.
Here are the steps in more detail:
The Void Fill
Once you have rolled the shorts, you can fill in any empty space in your suitcase or backpack with the rolled shorts. This will help to keep the contents of your bag organized and prevent items from shifting around during transit.
To maximize the space-saving benefits of the void fill, it’s important to roll the shorts tightly. The tighter the roll, the more efficiently it will fill empty spaces.
Here are some tips for rolling shorts tightly:
You can also use rolled shorts as a way to pack other items, such as socks or underwear. Simply place the rolled items inside the rolled shorts.
By following these tips, you can effectively use the void fill technique to save space and keep your belongings organized while traveling.
| Benefits of the Void Fill |
|---|
| Prevents items from shifting around during transit |
| Keeps the contents of your bag organized |
| Maximizes space-saving |
The Hanging Roll
Step 1: Lay the shorts flat
Spread out the shorts smoothly on a flat surface, ensuring they are wrinkle-free.
Step 2: Fold in half vertically
Bring the right leg over the left leg, aligning the waistbands. Press down gently to create a crease.
Step 3: Fold in half horizontally
Fold the shorts in half again from the waistband to the hem, creating another crease.
Step 4: Roll up tightly
Starting from the hem, roll up the shorts tightly and evenly.
Step 5: Secure with an elastic band
Once you reach the waistband, secure the roll with an elastic band or hair tie.
Step 6: Fold in half again
Fold the rolled-up shorts in half again, bringing the legs together.
Step 7: Tuck in the corners
Tuck the bottom corners of the shorts into the waistband to secure them.
Step 8: Fold the waistband down
Fold the waistband down over the tucked-in corners to create a finished look.
Step 9: Optional: Secure with a pin
For added security, you can insert a safety pin through the waistband to prevent the shorts from unrolling.
Step 10: Hang on a hanger
Thread the hanger through the loops on the waistband and hang the shorts vertically. This method not only saves space but also keeps the shorts wrinkle-free and ready to wear.
| Benefits of the Hanging Roll: |
|—|—|
| Efficient use of space | Protects against wrinkles | Easy access and retrieval | Ideal for packing multiple pairs of shorts | Promotes airflow, reducing odors |
How to Fold Shorts for Travel
To fold shorts for travel, follow these steps:
This method will help you save space in your luggage and keep your shorts wrinkle-free.
People Also Ask
How to fold shorts for suitcase?
To fold shorts for a suitcase, follow the steps above and then place the shorts in the suitcase vertically, with the waistband against the side of the suitcase.
How to fold shorts for backpack?
To fold shorts for a backpack, follow the steps above and then roll the shorts up tightly and stuff them into the backpack.
How to fold shorts for carry on?
To fold shorts for carry on, follow the steps above and then place the shorts in a packing cube or compression bag.
