Do Bamboo Cotton Shirts Wrinkle More Than Cotton
Short answer: Yes, a shirt usually wrinkles more in a suitcase, because it lies pressed and folded. Viscose from bamboo creases a little more easily than plain cotton, but the folds are often soft. Here is how bamboo cotton shirts behave and how to pack them.
Why the suitcase is harder than the wardrobe
In the wardrobe the shirt hangs freely and gets air, so its own weight pulls out most folds. In a suitcase it lies pressed against other clothes for hours. Pressure is what sets wrinkles, so it is more about packing than about the fabric.
Bamboo cotton shirts as fabrics
Cotton is a natural fibre, while viscose from bamboo is a regenerated fibre. Viscose is smooth and drapes softly, but the fibres give easily and pick up folds. Bamboo cotton shirts are often blends, and the material information tells you what is in each shirt, so read it.
Does it really wrinkle more
It depends on the fabric, the weave and the blend, so there is no single answer. Plain, tightly woven cotton can wrinkle a lot, while a blend can drape more smoothly. To be sure, hang the shirt up damp and see how it dries.
How to pack a shirt
Fold the shirt along the seams and do up the top two buttons. Lay it flat on top of the suitcase so nothing presses on it. Roll the other clothes instead of folding them, and tuck bamboo socks for men into your shoes as filling.
Turn and roll instead of folding hard
Inside out is better if the shirt has a print or embroidery. If you roll the shirt tightly, the folds lie soft instead of sharp. A rolled shirt often takes less space, and it can be pulled out without ruining the rest of the packing.
Hang it up when you arrive
Take the shirt out as soon as you arrive and hang it on a hanger. Leave it in the bathroom while you shower, and the steam pulls out many folds. It takes no effort and often works better than a small travel iron.
Iron only what is seen
A shirt is mostly seen at the collar, cuffs and front, so spend your effort there. Use low to medium heat and a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric. On the back and under a jacket, a little creasing does not matter.
Shirt or polo on the road
If you want to avoid wrinkles, a polo is easier to pack than a shirt. Bamboo polos for men are knitted and often wrinkle less than woven shirts. A bamboo shirt for men can then be saved for the days you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Does bamboo wrinkle more than cotton
Viscose from bamboo often creases a little more easily than plain cotton, but the folds are usually softer. It depends on the weave and the blend, so read the material information.
How do I pack a shirt without wrinkles
Do up two buttons, fold along the seams and lay the shirt flat on top. Roll the other clothes instead of folding them if you can, and hang the shirt up as soon as you arrive.
Can steam remove wrinkles
Yes, steam from a shower or a steamer loosens many folds without pressing the fabric. Hold the shirt on a hanger and leave it hanging until it is fully dry.
