How to Fold a Suit Jacket

Co-authored by Ashley Moon, MA and Kyle Hall

Last Updated: March 11, 2020 References

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

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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]
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Fold your jacket so the front, open side of the jacket is facing out. The two shoulders should be touching.^{[2]
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It may be easier to make the fold if you lay your suit jacket on a flat surface.^{[3]
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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]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using a Shirt-Style Fold

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You can also lay your jacket down on a flat surface if you find it easier to fold it that way.^{[5]
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The seam going down the back of the jacket should be lined up with the center of the sleeve.^{[6]
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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]
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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]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Rolling a Suit Jacket

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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]
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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]
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Keep the jacket folded in half lengthwise. Only half of the jacket should be facing up.^{[11]
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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]
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