Folding dress pants may seem like a simple task, but doing it correctly can not only keep your pants wrinkle-free, but also extend the lifespan of the garment. Follow these 15 steps to fold your dress pants like a pro.

1. Clean your working space: Before you begin, make sure you have a clean, flat surface to work on. This space should be large enough to fold the pants without having any of the material hanging off the edge.

2. Lay the pants flat: Start by laying your dress pants out flat on the surface. Make sure there are no wrinkles or folds in the fabric.

3. Align the waistband: Keep the waistband aligned evenly on both sides so that the button and zipper are in the center.

4. Fold along the crease lines: If your pants have a natural crease line down each leg, fold them along those lines. If not, create a crease line by aligning the seams of each leg and pressing gently with your hand.

5. Smooth out any wrinkles: Run your hands down both legs of the pants to remove any wrinkles that may have formed during folding.

6. Fold one leg over the other: Take one leg and fold it over onto the other leg, being sure to keep both legs aligned at the seams.

7. Align hems: Make sure that both hems are perfectly aligned on top of each other at this point.

8. Fold upper leg back onto itself: Now take that same top leg and fold it back onto itself, creating an even fold along one side of your pants.

9. Smooth out wrinkles again: As before, use your hands to smooth out any wrinkles or folds that may have formed during this step.

10. Start folding from bottom up: Begin to fold your dress pants from the bottom hem by bringing it up and over themselves in even increments. This will ensure a neat, compact fold.

11. Continue folding in even increments: Keep folding the pants upwards until you reach the waistband.

12. Final fold: Once you’ve reached the waistband, make your final fold over it so that the waistband is hidden from view and you have an even rectangle.

13. Check for wrinkles: Take a moment to inspect your folded pants, making sure there are no visible wrinkles or uneven folds.

14. Adjust if necessary: If any wrinkles or uneven folds are still present, gently adjust the fabric until they’re gone.

15. Store folded pants properly: Now that your dress pants are neatly folded, be sure to store them correctly by placing them in a garment bag or on a dedicated shelf in your closet.

By following these 15 steps, you can keep your dress pants looking sharp and wrinkle-free. Remember that proper care can prolong the life of your garments, so take time to fold and store your dress pants correctly to make them last longer.