You’ve secured your hotel, scouted the best restaurants, and prepped your beach towel. You’ve carefully selected outfits for day, night, and travel, but now comes the challenge: fitting everything into a single suitcase. Don’t worry! The key to efficient packing is saving space, and mastering how to pack underwear properly is a crucial skill.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to fold and pack both men’s and women’s underwear, ensuring they remain fresh, clean, and ready to wear throughout your trip, whether you plan to do laundry or not.
Folding Underwear for Travel
Resist the urge to simply stuff your underwear into a corner of your suitcase before rushing to the airport. Taking the time to fold and organize your undergarments is a worthwhile investment.
Benefits of Folding Underwear for Travel
Folding underwear before traveling offers several key advantages:
- Wrinkle Prevention: Folding keeps your underwear looking neat and presentable.
- Damage Control: Proper folding helps prevent tears, snags, and holes.
- Organization: Thoughtful packing allows you to quickly locate a clean pair when needed.
- Space Optimization: Efficient folding maximizes space in your suitcase, leaving room for souvenirs!
How to Fold Underwear for Travel
Learning to fold underwear for travel is a simple skill with lasting benefits. Whether you’re packing men’s briefs, women’s cheeky styles, or delicate lingerie, these methods will help you pack effectively for any destination.
How to Fold Men’s Underwear
There are two primary techniques for folding men’s underwear: the Fold Method and the Roll Method. Experiment with both to determine which best suits your underwear style. Both techniques leverage the waistband’s elasticity to maintain shape.
Fold Method:
- Lay your boxers or briefs flat. Fold each side vertically towards the center.
- Fold the elastic waistband down approximately 1/3 of the way.
- Fold the opposite side up, tucking it inside the elastic band. This creates a compact bundle.
Roll Method:
- Lay your boxers or briefs flat. Fold the waistband inside-out about 4 inches, creating a pocket.
- Fold each side vertically towards the center, similar to the Fold Method.
- Starting from the bottom, roll upwards towards the folded waistband. Tuck the roll into the waistband pocket. This results in a softer, more compact bundle.
Folding men's underwear infographic
Infographic showing how to fold men’s underwear using the fold and roll methods.
How to Fold Women’s Underwear
These Fold and Roll methods are applicable to most styles of women’s underwear, from briefs to thongs.
Fold Method:
- Lay the underwear flat. Fold the crotch area up to meet the waistband.
- Fold both sides of the waistband inwards to create a rectangular shape.
- Fold the rectangle in half once more, forming a small square.
Roll Method:
- Lay the underwear flat. Fold the crotch area up to meet the waistband.
- Fold the left side over to meet the right side, forming a square.
- Tightly roll the square away from you, creating a cylinder shape.
How to Fold Bras
Proper folding is essential for bras, helping them maintain their structure and elasticity. These techniques are suitable for both travel and home storage.
Bralettes and Sports Bras:
- Lay the bra face-down on a flat surface. Fold the straps down into the center of the bra, forming a rectangle.
- Fold each side inwards, over the straps, towards the middle. You can fold once or in thirds for a more compact result.
Cupped Bras:
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- Flexible bras: Stack bras with soft cups on top of each other. Gently fold the elastic and tuck it beneath the cups. Excessive folding can damage the elastic.
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- Inflexible or delicate bras: Lay the bra flat, face-up. Insert socks into the cups to provide cushioning and maintain shape. Pack on top of other clothing to prevent compression.
How to Pack Underwear for Travel
Packing is like a game of Tetris. To pack underwear effectively, utilize all available space strategically.
How to Pack Men’s and Women’s Underwear
Your bag size and trip length will influence your packing method. Women may consider using a packing cube for delicate items, keeping them clean and discreet. Alternatively, placing delicates at the top of your luggage can prevent wrinkles.
Here are three packing methods to consider:
- The File Storage Method: If you’ve folded your underwear, stack them vertically like files in a cabinet. This maximizes both horizontal and vertical space.
- The Roll Layer Method: If your underwear is rolled, place them in a single flat layer within the clothing section of your bag. Placing them beneath your clothes provides added privacy.
- The Top Plop: This method works for both folded and rolled underwear. Place your underwear at the top of your clothing pile to keep them fresh and save space. For extra protection, cover them with a clean t-shirt.
How to Pack Bras
A bra and underwear travel organizer can be useful, especially for packing multiple bras for a longer trip.
If you don’t have an organizer, try these methods:
- The Sports Stack: Stack folded sports bras and other athletic apparel together.
- The Sock Support: For push-up bras or delicate lace bras, use socks to prop up the cups and prevent dents during travel.
Image of a woman carefully organizing underwear and bras in a suitcase for travel.
3 Packing Tips for Keeping Clothes Clean While Traveling
It’s crucial to separate fresh and used underwear within your suitcase.
Here’s how to protect your clean clothes:
- Pack a Smell-Proof Laundry Bag: A travel-sized, smell-proof laundry bag is a worthwhile investment. Place soiled clothes in the bag to prevent odors from transferring to clean items.
- Bring Travel-Sized Laundry Detergent: You might find a washing machine at your destination but lack detergent. Having your own ensures you can do laundry without a last-minute store run.
- Remember a Waterproof Barrier: For trips to sunny destinations, pack a waterproof bag to separate wet clothes from dry ones, preventing musty odors caused by humidity.
Don’t Fold Under Pressure. Fold Underwear—from Tommy John
Planning a vacation can be stressful, but packing your underwear shouldn’t be.
Master efficient folding techniques and travel with confidence. Tommy John’s undergarments are designed for comfort, ensuring you enjoy every moment of your trip.
Shop Tommy John for air underwear, bras, sleepwear, and other comfortable essentials today.
