How to Fold a Suit Jacket

Co-authored by Kyle Hall

Last Updated: March 11, 2020 References Tested

Folding a suit jacket properly will keep it from wrinkling and save you space in your luggage. If you're packing your suit jacket in a big suitcase, folding your jacket inside out or using a shirt-style fold should work. If you have limited room in your luggage, roll your suit jacket to save space.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Folding a Suit Jacket Inside Out

1
Turn both shoulders on your suit jacket inside out. To turn the shoulders inside out, 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.^{[1]
X
Research source}
2
Fold your suit jacket in half lengthwise. Fold your jacket so the front, open side of the jacket is facing out. The two shoulders should be touching.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
3
Fold the bottom edge of your suit jacket up to the middle of the jacket. It may be easier to make the fold if you lay your suit jacket on a flat surface.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Fold the top edge of your suit jacket down to the bottom crease. The bottom crease is the crease you just made when you folded the bottom of the suit jacket up to the middle. When you’re done, your suit jacket should be folded in a neat square.^{[4]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Shirt-Style Fold

1
Hold your suit jacket so the back of the jacket is facing you. You can also lay your jacket down on a flat surface if you find it easier to fold it that way.^{[5]
X
Research source}
2
Fold the sleeve on the right into the center of your suit jacket. The seam going down the back of the jacket should be lined up with the center of the sleeve.^{[6]
X
Research source}
3
Fold the sleeve on the left into the center of your jacket. Line up the sleeve so it lays directly on the other sleeve you just folded. At this point, your jacket should be folded into a thin, vertical rectangle.^{[7]
X
Research source}
4
Fold your suit jacket in half crosswise. Bring the bottom edge of the jacket up to the top edge. Now you can turn the jacket over and pack or store it.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Rolling a Suit Jacket

1
Pop the shoulders on your suit jacket inside out. Grab the front of the collar on your suit jacket and pull it back on both sides. Then, push the shoulders on the jacket out so the sleeve holes are now on the outside. You only want the shoulders to be inside out, not the sleeves.^{[9]
X
Research source}
2
Touch the shoulders together by folding your suit jacket in half lengthwise. Fold the jacket so the back of the jacket is covered by the fold, and the front, open part of the jacket is facing out.^{[10]
X
Research source}
3
Lay your suit jacket down on a flat surface. Keep the jacket folded in half lengthwise. Only half of the jacket should be facing up.^{[11]
X
Research source}
4
Roll the top edge of your suit jacket loosely down to the bottom edge. Don’t apply a lot of pressure to the jacket as you’re rolling it. You don’t want a tight roll or your jacket could wrinkle. When you’re finished, your suit jacket should be loosely rolled up and ready for packing or storing.^{[12]
X
Research source}