Traveling with a suit can be a necessity, whether for business meetings or special occasions. However, the dread of arriving with a creased and crumpled suit is a common concern for many travelers. For years, experienced travelers have sought the perfect method to pack a suit and minimize wrinkles. Ideally, the absolute best way to travel with a suit is to avoid packing it in luggage altogether. Transporting it in a garment bag, hung freely, is the gold standard. Yet, for most of us utilizing overhead compartments on flights, this isn’t always practical.
This leaves us with a couple of primary options: wearing the suit jacket during travel or carefully packing the suit into our luggage. While wearing a suit jacket on a flight might seem unconventional, for shorter journeys, it can be a viable strategy to minimize creasing. Taking off the jacket, gently folding it once, and placing it across your lap can work for brief periods.
However, for longer trips and practicality, packing your suit becomes essential. So, the crucial question arises: what is the best way to pack a suit for travel to ensure it arrives looking sharp and ready to wear?
Luggage Choices for Suits
It can feel counterintuitive to carefully fold a high-quality suit and place it inside luggage. If you plan to check your bag, opting for luggage designed to fold over on itself is a smart move. This method essentially folds your suit just once, reducing harsh creases. This is a favored technique among frequent suit travelers. For those seeking specific recommendations, the David King & Co garment bag offers a reliable option. Alternatively, for a more compact solution, the Biaggi Hangeroo 2-in-1 Garment Duffel presents an innovative tri-fold design. While appearing somewhat bulky, it receives positive reviews and is reportedly suitable for carry-on use. For lighter storage and suitcase organization, a lightweight garment bag can also be beneficial.
For carry-on luggage, many prefer to pack their suit jacket separately in the overhead compartment. Various folding and packing techniques exist, and the most effective method often depends on the suit jacket’s fabric. For certain materials, lightly folding the jacket in half and placing it on top of other items in a soft-sided carry-on bag has proven successful.
How to pack a suit for travel
How to pack a suit for travel
Using a soft-sided bag like a Tumi carry-on can be advantageous, provided it’s not overly compressed by other passengers’ luggage. Upon arrival, promptly removing the jacket and putting it on can help it naturally relax. If using hardshell luggage, avoid overpacking, as compression can significantly increase wrinkling.
how to pack a suit in your luggage
Upon reaching your destination, immediately unpack your suit and hang it. High-quality suit fabrics often possess a natural resilience and wrinkles will ease out over time when hung freely. To expedite wrinkle removal, hanging the suit in a steamy bathroom can provide a gentle steaming effect. Alternatively, hotel concierge services can offer professional steam treatments. Remember, even a significantly wrinkled suit can often recover and regain its shape overnight with proper care.
Further Insights on Packing Suits for Travel:
For business-focused guidance, Business Insider offers advice on how to pack a suit for business trips.
GQ provides a style-centric perspective on how to fold and pack a suit jacket effectively.
Related Resources for Travelers:
Explore what a dopp kit is and how to choose one for organizing your toiletries.
Discover smart luggage options suitable for suits to enhance your travel gear.
Find practical style tips tailored for business travelers to refine your travel wardrobe.
