How to fold underwear perfectly

Key steps

• Underwear should be folded crotch to top, sides and then crotch again.

• Socks should be folded from toe-to-top, to the centre and then in half.

• Never invert a bra cup.

• Always stack bras in their own drawer, box or compartment.

Underwear drawers are notorious for being muddled, partly because it's so hard to fold different underwear items such as bras, socks or tights to prevent them getting tangled up together. Here we’ll provide step-by-step tips for how to fold underwear, including both male and female underwear items. 

Marie Kondo has had a massive influence on our need to get organised, so once you’ve organised your undies, why not get your clothing organised too with this article.

How to fold knickers and other underwear: an easy four step guide

Whether you want to learn how to fold boxers for men, or have a selection of bikini bottoms, thongs and other female underwear to organise, these four steps will help you do the job Marie Kondo-style. Here’s how to fold knickers and pants:

1. Make sure your underwear is laid flat in front of you.

2. Your first fold will be lengthwise. You need to take the crotch to the waistband, thus folding your underwear in half.

3. Next, fold in both sides.

4. The final step is to fold the crotch over once more. This should allow your underwear to stand up and reduce the space you need to store it.

How to fold socks like a pro: five simple steps to Marie Kondo your sock drawer

When it comes to organising your socks and keeping them in good shape, it’s better to follow these five steps rather than rolling them into a ball and chucking them in your drawer!

1. Start by pairing up your socks. The last thing you want is to fold odd socks together!

2. Once paired, lay them flat one on top of the other.

3. Starting at the toe, fold it inward about an inch from the top.

4. Fold over again from the bottom of the sock, halfway to the top.

5. Your final move is to fold the sock in half. This should allow the folded pair of socks to stand up.

How to fold bras: the dos and don’ts of folding your bra

When it comes to folding and storing your bras, there are a few dos and don’ts you should be aware of. Here are the main tips for how to fold bras, as well as potential pitfalls:

• DO fold non-padded bras such as t-shirt bras using the steps for underwear (simply think of the lower band as the crotch in the steps above).

• DO stack moulded or push-up bras on top of one another in the drawer. This will preserve the cup and reduce the space required to store them.

• DO consider a pretty box, or an interesting storage solution like a vintage suitcase, if giving your bras their own drawer isn’t an option. Alternatively, place a box inside the drawer to give your bras their own section.

• DON’T fold padded bra cups by inverting one of the cups. This can damage the cup and shorten the life of your bra.

• DON’T overcrowd your bras. They should have their own drawer to prevent damage to the cups and bending or pushing out the underwiring.

Now you have a simple step-by-step guide for folding underwear, you have everything you need to make sure your drawers are organised and tangle-free.