Cut each bag along the seams with a pair of scissors to open it up. Separate each bag into two pieces by cutting them down the middle.
Place a jacket that you're packing on a solid, flat surface. Push one shoulder pad inward so that it inverts itself when folding the jacket. Fold the jacket vertically in half and rest the inverted shoulder pad in the jacket and arrange it into the other shoulder pad.
Lay one piece of plastic on top of the jacket. Fold the jacket with the plastic in half (or thirds) so that it fits into your luggage. Pack the jacket with a second layer of plastic on top so that another piece of clothing is ready to sit on top.
Keep the plastic wrap on shirts and pants from the drycleaner. Remove the hanger and fold pants in half or thirds.
Fold items that tend to wrinkle, such as handkerchiefs or silk scarves, into small squares. Slip these items carefully into a zip-top sandwich bag. Seal the bag.
Fasten any buttons on shirts or sweaters. Place the item face down on top of a piece of plastic.Smooth out any wrinkles with your hands. Fold the right sleeve in at the shoulder, taking the bag with the fold. Allow long sleeves to lay flat along the shirt or sweater body. Repeat on the left side, remembering to pull up the plastic at every fold. There will be a two-inch overlap of fabric; fold up one-third from the bottom and one-third from the top. The overlapping creates a square.
