In this step-by-step guide, you will learn how to pack your suit to avoid unsightly wrinkles for travel. Packing a suit can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, you can ensure they arrive at your destination wrinkle-free. Whether you’re going on a business trip or attending a special event, like a wedding, our expert tips will help you keep your suit looking crisp and polished.
Don’t let wrinkles ruin your outfit – follow our guide on how to pack a suit to avoid wrinkles and pack like a pro!
First let’s talk about the secret sauce to keeping your suit wrinkle-free on the go: having the right tools, and yes, that means getting yourself a garment bag. A garment bag is a special suitcase just for your suits, dresses, or any fancy wear. And you want to have one for garments that are prone to wrinkles. It’s like a protective bubble that keeps your clothes looking fresh and crisp. Now, here’s the kicker – you don’t need to break the bank for a fancy one. It’s all about how you pack it. So, even if your garment bag isn’t top-of-the-line, with the right packing moves, your suit will come out looking sharp. Trust me, it’s more about the technique than the tag on your bag.
Our Reader’s Top Garment Bag Choices
Choose the right garment bag
To choose the right garment bag, follow these simple steps:
- Invest in quality: Look for a high-quality garment bag that is spacious enough to accommodate your suit without being too tight. This will help prevent wrinkles and keep your garments in good shape. Remember, quality doesn’t have to mean expensive!
- Breathable material: Choose a bag that is made of a breathable material, like cotton or nylon, to allow air circulation and prevent musty odors.
- Sturdy hanger: Make sure the garment bag has a sturdy hanger to keep your clothes well-supported and prevent them from getting misshapen during transportation.
- For the right occasion: There are different kinds of garment bags for various kinds of events. For example, wedding dresses and formal gowns are bigger and, oftentimes, more delicate. There are special bags just for these kinds of dresses. There are also very simple garment bags that you can simply place inside your luggage on top of your other items. Luxury and designer clothing often come with one. So, you can use that to transport your garments!
- Extra features: Consider additional features like exterior pockets for accessories or a transparent window to easily identify the contents.
Easiest way to prepare your suit for travel
The goal is to slim down the suit to make it as slim and streamlined as possible. This means you don’t want to have the tie and belt in this process. Packing your accessories with the suit can cause wrinkles.
- Take a strong (one that won’t easily break in the luggage) suit hanger and lay your dress trousers across the bar.
- You can hang your dress shirt and suit jacket together on the hanger, threading the shirt sleeves through the sleeves of the jacket.
Now, you’re ready to place the suit inside a garment bag.
Pack the suit in a garment bag
Now that you carefully prepared the suit, place the folded garment in the garment bag vertically, with the hanger hook at the top. This will help maintain the shape of the clothing and prevent it from getting squished.
Avoid overcrowding the bag. Give your suit enough space to breathe by leaving some room around it. This will prevent fabric damage and help maintain its freshness.
Folding a suit properly without a garment bag
If you don’t have a garment bag, follow these steps to pack your suit for wrinkle-free results.
- Pop both shoulders of the suit jacket inside out.
2. Fold jacket in half ensuring the lapels meet each other.
3. Lay trousers on flat surface.
4. Place jacket on top of trousers.
5. Then fold top and bottom half of jacket together.
6. Fold the bottom half of the trousers over the jacket.
7. Then fold top half of the trousers over the bundle.
Now you’re ready to place the suit in the luggage.
By following these steps, you’ll keep your suit properly folded and ready to be stored or transported.
Bonus tip: Use tissue paper or a plastic bag
Our reader and veteran fashion stylist Carole Jones says “To prevent any creases, place tissue paper or a plastic bag between the folds of your suit. This will act as a barrier and protect your garment from rubbing against itself. Simply tuck the tissue paper or slide a plastic bag carefully in between the layers of your clothing. This will ensure your suit stays wrinkle-free during storage or transportation.” You can also use a dry-cleaner bag as they a great job at minimizing wrinkles.
Unpack and hang immediately
When you arrive at your destination, take the suit out immediately. Reverse the jacket to its proper state, and separate the shirt from the jacket (if you packed it together). Find a sturdy hanger and hang it up, ensuring that it is properly supported. If there were any wrinkles that formed during travel, allowing the garment to air out for a little while will help to release them.
How to fold and pack your dress shirts
A reader asks:
Is it better to roll or fold dress shirts?
In general, casual clothes, like cotton t-shirts, can be rolled to avoid the hard edges that come with folding. But dress items, like work shirts and blouses, items that would typically hang in your wardrobe should be folded.
Here’s how to fold your dress shirts.
1. Button up all the buttons.
2. Flip shirt to the button-side down, then lay on flat surface.
3. Fold the sleeves across the back.
4. Fold sleeves up until the cuffs reach the collar.
5. Fold one side across the middle.
6. Repeat on the other side.
7. Fold the shirt in thirds. Start from the bottom.
8. Repeat to fold down the top third.
Now you are ready to pack in your suitcase.
Some readers find it easier to use a garment folder, especially if you are often packing and bringing a lot dress shirts.
How to pack your accessories
Packing your tie
Believe it or not, there is a special technique on how to pack your tie to keep it wrinkle-free, as well.
Roll Method
- Lay the tie face down on a flat surface.
- Start from the narrow end and roll the tie up tightly towards the wider end.
- Once rolled, place it in a small section of your luggage or a shoe to help maintain its shape during travel.
Loose Fold Method
- Lay the tie flat on a surface, face down.
- Fold the tie in half lengthwise, then fold it in half again, but not too tightly to avoid creasing.
- Place the folded tie in your luggage, ideally in a compartment where it won’t be crushed by other items.
Necktie Pouch or Case Method
- If you travel frequently and prefer to keep your ties in perfect condition, consider investing in a necktie pouch or case designed for travel.
- Simply fold the tie into four (similar to the loose fold method) and slide it into the pouch or case. This accessory provides extra protection and organization for your ties in your luggage.
Each of these methods has its advantages, depending on the amount of luggage space you have and the materials available to you. Choose the one that best suits your packing style and travel needs.
Packing your belt
When packing for a trip, you might be tempted to just roll your belt and stick in some corner in your bag. But doing that just leaves you with a belt-shaped donut taking up space because of that empty middle part. Sure, you could try stuffing socks or something small in there, but when you’re trying to make the most out of every bit of suitcase space, there’s a slicker way to pack your belt.
Another way people typically pack belts is by sticking it in one of the pockets of the luggage. Which just leaves a bulge.
Instead of rolling up your belt, try lining your belt around the inner edges of your suitcase. Just lay the belt flat against the side of your suitcase interior. Then, just snake it around the edges, keeping it flat except for a gentle curve at the corners. This way, you’re not only saving space but also keeping your belt handy and in shape for when you reach your destination.
Packing your shoes and socks
This is perhaps the easiest way to keep your socks organized is by rolling them. But, to save space, use the unused and wasted space on the inside of your shoes as the sock storage. For one dress shoe, you can likely fit up to three pair of dress socks!
More tips to maximize your luggage space
- Start by researching your destination: Look up the weather, local customs, and any specific clothing or gear recommendations for your destination. This will help you determine what essentials to pack
- Make a checklist: Create a detailed checklist of everything you’ll need for your trip. Divide it into categories like clothing, toiletries, electronics, documents, and other essentials. This will ensure you don’t forget anything important
- Pack versatile clothing: Opt for clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. This will help you pack light and maximize your options. Choose wrinkle-resistant fabrics that are easy to wash and dry if needed
- Consider the duration of your trip: If you’re going for a short trip, try to pack light to avoid unnecessary baggage. Bring travel-sized toiletries or buy them at your destination. For longer trips, plan to do laundry or pack a small amount of detergent to wash clothes during your journey
- Pack essentials in a carry-on: Be sure to pack essentials like medications, travel documents, a change of clothes, and valuables in your carry-on bag. This way, you’ll have everything you need in case your checked luggage gets lost or delayed
Remember, every trip is unique, so adjust this list to your specific needs and preferences. Happy travels!
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Bottomline
Taking a little extra time to follow any of these strategies can ensure that your suits remain wrinkle-free while you travel. But, it is worth it to select a proper garment bag as it is the extra travel accessory that makes this entire process a no-brainer.
I found that using a vacuum-sealed garment bag instead of a regular garment bag helped to further minimize wrinkles. The airtight seal kept the suit or dress tightly compressed, preventing any shifting or movement during travel. Has anyone else tried this method?
Thank you for sharing your variation! Using a vacuum-sealed garment bag is a great idea to further reduce wrinkles. The airtight seal certainly helps to keep the garment in place during travel. It would be interesting to hear from others who have tried this method as well.