Originally Posted by
JCinPA
Question about folded shirts instead of on hangers and then bundling...
I get my shirts boxed from the cleaners, not on hangers. I just leave them in the plastic bags they pack them in at the cleaners and use them in the middle of my bundle, alternating collars.
A business colleague told me about the Eagle Creek pack it system for shirts and said the way I get my shirts makes them crease more. I think he's nuts! He's doing the exact same thing as far as I can tell, with the folding board, I just have the folks at the cleaners do it for me. Yes the shirts are sometimes creased, but after an hour of wearing them with a suit, they flatten right out.
Do you get your shirts on hangers or do you get them boxed? I agree that if you bundle and lay your shirts out putting underwear inside they crease less than if you get them boxed or use the Eagle Creek system. But this is soooo convenient. And I think if you are using the Eagle Creek things you are just wasting (a little) space and weight. Boxed shirts are essentially the same thing. No?
I do like the Eagle Creek suit folder. Bundling is better, but for speed, the suit folder is terrific. Again, no wrinkles, but creases, which do come out quickly with wearing.
I like the bundling method (I use sort of a hybrid approach) but I don't think it is best for starched dress shirts when done the normal method. I like to get my shirts done folded and boxed but also get them done regularly (on hangers) for when I'm not traveling. So, I sometimes find myself needing to pack my starched dress shirts that are on hangers because I'm short or out on boxed ones. As far as the most wrinkle free at destination I will give you my own personal experience ranking: 1) garment bag on a hanger (but as I'm a ONE BAG NINJA I don't usually use this because I like to use luggage that also works for casual dress travel and will never be asked to be gate checked 2) folded shirts from the cleaners (where they are individually plastic wrapped and have a piece of cardboard within them. (when put on a hanger the wrinkles from folding usually disappear overnight) 3) folded shirts you do yourself with the help of an Eagle Creek folder (HINT: they can now be the CORE of your bundle and the bundle itself will protect them) This is very close to being as good as from the cleaners but their piece of plastic, collar cardboard and base cardboard help the shirts come out better 4) dress shirts put into a typical bundle done the typically described way.
The good news is that the differences between each method are really minimal in most situations. But, when time is at a premium, or you are going somewhere where you won't have access to an iron then go for choices 1-3. If you use choice 4 then never take your jacket off, lol.
PS:
The Eagle Creek Medium sized Specter folder only weighs 8 ounces. so, if you fold yourself you will probably save on weight compared to the folded ones from the cleaners (adding up the cardboard and plastic) plus you have extra anti shift wrinkle protection and some compression to save space. I'm one to scrutinize every ounce and this particular packing helper meets my test since its net utility is outstanding and net weight is low. This folder can become your bundle core providing you are not going crazy with your additions to it.