There are generally 3 ways you can fold your tank tops optimally: One way is really fast, one saves a ton of space and is great for travel, and the last one is the one Marie Kondo generally uses.
In this guide, you are going to learn all 3 different methods. This will also work perfectly for your camisoles and crop-tops.
How to Fold Tank Tops for Display
This folding style is commonly referred to as the “two-second fold”, and is often seen used in stores for both t-shirts and tank tops. This method will work great at home too, but it will take some practice to get the hang of.
See the video above, or follow along with the step-by-step instructions and illustrations below to master this fold.
- After placing the tank top flat with the front facing up, then grab the shoulder with one hand, and the middle of the shirt paralell down from the shoulder with the other hand.
- Pull the hand holding the shoulder fabric under the hand holding the fabric in the middle.
- Grab the fabric at the bottom with the same hand that is holding the shoulder fabric.
- Uncross your hand and lift the tank top up so it barely touches the surface.
- Push the tank top forward slightly (2-3 inches) and lay it back down.
- Make sure the shoulders on both sides match up evenly.
Tip: Redo step 5 if the fold at the shoulders doesn’t match.
How to Fold Tank Tops to Save Space
Ranger rolling your tank tops is the best way to fold them to save space by far. This fold is great for travel as it compresses the tank top down into a little roll that is then folded into a pouch that further compresses it down and holds it in place.
This is by far my favorite way to fold tank tops, and I use it both in my drawers at home, and in my luggage.
It is a little tricky to get the hang of like the previous fold, but once you learn it you will never go back.
I have added a step-by-step illustrated guide below, but you can also see timestamp 1:50 in the video I embedded above if you prefer.
Step-by-step instructions in case anything is unclear:
- Lay the tank top out flat with the front facing up.
- Flip the bottom of the tank top inside-out and pull it up about 4-5 inches (10-12 cm).
- Fold the tank top in 1/3 of the way on both sides. The second side folded should overlap the first entirely.
- From the neck, roll the shirt down all the way to the bottom.
- Lift the roll up with one hand and wrap the inside-out part of the bottom back over the tank top.
- Grab the roll with your now free hand and flip the other side of the inside-out part over the tank top too.
- Push your thumbs inside the garment to adjust the edges if it looks uneven.
Check out my guide on how to fold the rest of your clothes to save space here.
How to Fold Tank Tops Like Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo generally uses a technique called the file fold in her KonMari method.
At its core, this folding style aims to fold the clothes down neatly while also allowing them to rest with the long side facing up vertically, instead of laying down horizontally as the traditional fold does.
Underneath I have added a step-by-step illustration as well as written out the steps in detail. If you need more help, check out timestamp 3:35 in the video embedded at the top of this guide.
- Place the tank top with the front side facing up.
- Fold both sides in 1/3 of the total width of the tank top; the second fold should completely overlap the first.
- Fold the tank top in half from top to bottom.
- Fold the tank top down down 1/3 of it’s remaining length twice.
- Now you can place the tank top standing up with the side with a single fold facing upward (see illustration step 5).
Next, you can check out my complete guide on how to file fold all of your clothes.
I’m an expert wardrobe organizer and a bit of a clean freak. I created this website and its YouTube channel to share practical guides about laundry and organizing. My teachings have been featured in multiple large news publications, and I’ve self-published two wardrobe organizing books and an entire course on the subject.
