5 Easy Steps To Fold A Dress For Travel

Image of a dress being folded
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The biggest battle of every business trip, road journey, vacation, or any trip away from home is undoubtedly packing. There are even fashion enthusiasts who will avoid bringing gowns on out-of-town trips merely because they can’t bear to see their favorite outfits wrinkled and crumpled. However, it doesn’t always need to be this way. With the KonMari method, you can pack even the most delicate pieces like dresses without having to stress about creases and wrinkles. If you are wondering about the process, here is a short guide on how to fold a dress for travel using our very own twist on the KonMari method:

Start by laying your dress flat on a bed or a clean, even surface then smooth out any wrinkles or creases. Fold the dress in half lengthwise, aligning the side seams. Then, fold the dress in half widthwise, bringing the hem up to meet the neckline. At this point, your dress should look like a rectangle. Now, you are going to make accordion folds. Fold the dress in half again, bringing the right edge to the left edge. Continue folding the dress in accordion folds until it is about 6 inches wide.

Now, it’s time to roll your dress. Starting from one end, roll the dress up tightly. Once you reach the other end, tuck the remaining fabric into the roll. Your dress should now be a neat and compact roll that will easily fit into your suitcase without taking up too much space. You can secure the roll with a rubber band or ribbon if desired. Furthermore, you may also use tissue paper or bubble wrap to provide extra protection. And that’s how you fold a dress for travel!

Pack Flat for a Wrinkle-Free Dress

To avoid wrinkles and save space in your luggage, pack your dress flat by following these steps:

1. Lay the Dress Flat and Smooth It Out

Unfold the dress and lay it flat on a table or bed. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases using your hands or a clothing brush. This initial smoothing process is crucial as it helps eliminate wrinkles from the get-go.

Tips:

Tips
Use a clean, dry towel to absorb any moisture from the dress.
If the dress is particularly delicate, cover it with a piece of tissue paper before smoothing it out.
For dresses with intricate detailing, such as beading or embroidery, handle them with extra care and use a soft brush to remove wrinkles.

Use the Rolling Method for a Compact Pack

The rolling method is a fantastic way to pack a dress compactly for travel. It is not only space-saving but also helps to prevent wrinkles and creases. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Lay the dress flat on a surface and smooth out any wrinkles.
Starting from the bottom hem, roll the dress tightly towards the neckline.
Continue rolling until you reach the top of the neckline.
Secure the roll with a rubber band or hair tie.

Benefits of the Rolling Method:

Benefits
Compact and space-saving
Prevents wrinkles and creases
Easy and quick to do
Suitable for all types of dresses

Employ the Tapered Fold for a Neater Look

The tapered fold is an excellent space-saving technique that creates a neat, compact bundle. It’s also ideal for wrinkle-prone fabrics. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Lay your dress flat and smooth out any wrinkles.
Fold the left and right sides of the dress inward, meeting at the center crease.
Fold the bottom edge of the dress up towards the top edge, about one-third of the way.
Now comes the tapered part: Fold the right corner of the bottom edge down towards the left, creating a diagonal line. Fold the left corner of the bottom edge down and to the right, creating another diagonal line, slightly shorter than the first. Repeat this process until you reach the top edge of the dress.
Roll up the dress tightly from the bottom edge to the top edge.
Tuck the ends of the dress into the roll to secure it.

The tapered fold results in a compact, rectangular bundle that will fit easily into your suitcase. It also helps to prevent wrinkles and creases, making it an ideal option for formal or delicate dresses.

Secure Loose Ends with Hair Ties or Elastic Bands

Preventing loose ends from dangling and getting caught or snagged during travel is crucial. To secure loose straps, belts, or ties, consider using hair ties or elastic bands. This simple technique effectively keeps them contained and organized.

Tying Straps

For spaghetti straps, camisole straps, or dress straps, simply gather them together and secure them with a hair tie or elastic band. Create a small, tight bundle to prevent the straps from unraveling.

Securing Belts

If your dress has a detachable belt, it’s essential to keep it from slipping out or becoming tangled. Thread the belt through one of the dress’s belt loops and then secure it with a hair tie or elastic band around the buckle.

Containing Ties

To prevent ties from flapping around or creasing during travel, use a hair tie or elastic band to gather them together. Secure the band around the narrow end of the tie, keeping it snug against the wider end.

Loose End	Securing Method
Spaghetti Straps	Gather and secure with a hair tie or elastic band.
Camisole Straps	Gather and secure with a hair tie or elastic band.
Dress Straps	Gather and secure with a hair tie or elastic band.
Detachable Belt	Thread through belt loop and secure with a hair tie or elastic band around the buckle.
Ties	Gather and secure with a hair tie or elastic band around the narrow end.

Layer Dresses to Protect Delicate Fabrics

If you’re traveling with a delicate dress, it’s important to layer it properly to protect it from wrinkles and damage. Here are some tips:

Start by folding the dress in half lengthwise.
Then, fold it in half again, widthwise.
Place the folded dress in a garment bag or suitcase.
If you’re packing multiple dresses, layer them on top of each other, with the most delicate dress on the top.
Use tissue paper or bubble wrap to cushion the dresses and prevent them from shifting.
Avoid packing dresses with heavy items, such as shoes or books.
If you’re traveling with a delicate dress that is prone to wrinkles, consider using a wrinkle-release spray or steamer before you pack it.

Pack Dresses Vertically to Avoid Crumpling

To prevent wrinkles and creases, fold your dresses vertically instead of horizontally. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Lay the dress out on a flat surface, smoothing out any wrinkles.
Imagine a vertical line running down the center of the dress. Fold one side of the dress over this line, aligning the seams.
Repeat step 2 with the other side of the dress.
Fold the bottom hem of the dress up to meet the waistline.
Fold the top of the dress down to meet the bottom hem.
Turn the dress 90 degrees so that it’s laying horizontally.
Fold the dress in half, bringing the sides together.
Carefully roll the dress up, tucking the ends inward as you go.

Secure the roll with a rubber band or string.

Utilize Vacuum Storage Bags for Ultimate Compression

Vacuum storage bags are an excellent way to save space when packing your dress. They work by removing the air from the bag, which compresses the dress and reduces its size significantly. To use a vacuum storage bag:

Place your dress in the bag.
Close the bag and use the vacuum pump to remove the air.
Seal the bag tightly.

Vacuum storage bags are available in a variety of sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your dress. They are also relatively inexpensive, making them a great value for your money.

Here are some tips for using vacuum storage bags:

Make sure your dress is clean and dry before storing it in a vacuum storage bag.
Do not overfill the bag. This can cause the bag to burst or leak.
Store the bag in a cool, dry place.
If you need to store the dress for a long period of time, check the bag periodically to make sure it is still sealed.

Traditional Folding Method	Vertical Folding Method
Wrinkles and creases	Avoids wrinkles and creases
Takes more space	Saves space
Requires ironing	No ironing required
Not suitable for delicate fabrics	Suitable for all fabrics

Pros	Cons
Saves space	Can be difficult to seal
Protects clothes from dust and moisture	Can damage delicate fabrics
Relatively inexpensive	Not suitable for long-term storage

Unbutton or Unzip Any Buttons or Zippers

Before you start folding, make sure to unbutton or unzip any buttons or zippers on the dress. This will help to prevent the dress from becoming wrinkled or snagged.

Lay the Dress Out Flat

Lay the dress out flat on a bed or other flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.

Fold the Dress in Half Lengthwise

Fold the dress in half lengthwise, bringing the two side seams together. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.

Fold the Dress in Half Again

Fold the dress in half again, bringing the bottom hem up to the waistline. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.

Roll the Dress Up

Starting at the bottom hem, roll the dress up tightly. Smooth out any wrinkles as you roll.

Tuck the Rolled Dress into a Garment Bag

Tuck the rolled dress into a portable garment bag. This will help to keep the dress organized and wrinkle-free.

Hang Dresses on a Portable Garment Bag for Easy Access

If you want to be able to access your dresses easily, you can hang them on a portable garment bag. This is a great option for short trips or for when you need to pack a lot of dresses.

To hang a dress on a portable garment bag:

1. Unbutton or unzip any buttons or zippers on the dress.
2. Lay the dress out flat on a bed or other flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.
3. Fold the dress in half lengthwise, bringing the two side seams together. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.
4. Fold the dress in half again, bringing the bottom hem up to the waistline. Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands.
5. Place a portable garment bag over the folded dress.
6. Hang the portable garment bag on a hanger.

How To Fold A Dress For Travel

Folding a dress for travel can be a challenge, but with the right technique, you can keep your clothes looking neat and wrinkle-free. There are many different ways to fold a dress, but the following method is one of the most effective:

Lay the dress flat on a surface.
Fold the dress in half lengthwise, aligning the side seams.
Fold the dress in half again, aligning the shoulder seams.
Fold the sleeves over the top of the dress, tucking them in at the sides.
Roll the dress up from the bottom, starting with the hem.
Tuck the rolled-up dress into a packing cube or suitcase.

This method will help to keep your dress wrinkle-free and organized, making it easy to pack and unpack.