You're about to take a long-awaited trip, and you want to bring your favorite suit outfit along. You may be wondering how to pack it, so it arrives at your destination in its best condition.

 

Whether you're going on a business trip or out of town for a special occasion, packing a suit jacket correctly is crucial. Usually, we pack in a garment bag or protective plastic cover and place it in the same bag as other clothing items.

However, suit jackets are delicate and require special care when traveling. Here's what you can do to ensure your suit jacket continues looking sharp and in great shape.

Pre-Packing Steps

There have some pre-packing steps that you should follow before you start packing your suit to travel:

Gather the Right Items

You'll need to collect the following items: flat surface, suit pants, dry cleaning bag, hangers, and soft tissue paper.

Deciding What Type of Suitcase or Bag to Use

Now you have to decide what type of suitcase or bag to use for the journey. Depending on how much clothing you plan to bring, you can select from a wide range of garment bags. For extended trips, consider using carry-on luggage with wheels, so it's easier to pull along when traveling. However, if your trip is shorter and you don't want to check a bag, use lightweight bags like the shoulder inside-out roller bag. This type of suitcase is perfect for trips when you don't need to dress up too much.

Pick the Best Fabric Option

If you're traveling by plane, pack dress shirts with wrinkle-free fabrics. This way, your dress shirt will remain wrinkle-free even after a long flight. Consider choosing lightweight dress pants and a suit jacket that are easy to fold and save space in the bag or suitcase.

It's Time to Pack Your Suit for travel

Carefully Fold the Suit Jacket

• Lay the jacket on a flat surface.
• Place dress pants over the top of the jacket and fold them in half together.
• Put soft tissue paper in between the layers of the folded jacket and dress pants.
• Carefully roll up dress shoes and place them inside a dry cleaning bag to protect their shape during travel.
• Place dress pants and dress shoes in the suitcase or bag.
• Hang the folded suit jacket on a hanger and put it inside the garment bag or plastic cover.
• Make sure to zip up the bag or cover it entirely and place it at the top of your suitcase for easy access.

Preparing and Packing the Trousers

• Start by laying the dress pants on a flat surface.
• Carefully fold the dress pants lengthwise from left to right, with the front side facing outwards.
• Use the tucked shoulder fold for extra protection and a better fit in your luggage.
• Place dress shoes and dress socks inside a plastic bag and place them in the suitcase or bag along with the folded dress pants.
• Put rolled-up dress shirts, ties, and other clothing items on top of the folded dress pants for easy access when you arrive at your destination.

Optional Extras to Consider

• Pack dress shoes in a separate bag and stuff them with tissue paper or newspaper to help maintain their shape.
• Use a tie rack to keep neckties from getting wrinkled during travel.
• Place small accessories like cufflinks, pocket squares, and ties in plastic bags, so they don't get lost in the suitcase.
• When packing your suit jacket, fold it around a piece of cardboard for extra protection.

How to Minimize Wrinkling and Creasing While in Transit?

• Place the packed suit in a garment bag or plastic cover to protect it from dirt and dust.
• Put heavy items on top of your luggage to prevent shifting during travel.
• If you're traveling by plane, fold up your jacket and place it in an overhead compartment rather than putting it in the suitcase.
• For extended trips, use packing cubes to keep your clothes neatly organized.
• Unpack your suit and hang it up as soon as you arrive at your destination. This will help to reduce wrinkles and creases so you can look sharp when the occasion arises.

Important Tips to Keep Your Suit Looking Great 

• Don't fold and crease things too much, as this can damage the fabric and leave wrinkles that won't go away.
• When packing your suit, keep it away from sharp objects that might tear or rip the fabric.
• To keep your suit looking crisp and clean, get it dry-cleaned every few months to eliminate any dirt or grime that has built up over time.
• Store your suits in a cool place away from direct sunlight, as excessive heat can damage fabrics and reduce the lifespan of your garments.
• Use a wooden hanger rather than a wire one when hanging up your suits, as these provide better support for heavier items like jackets.
• If you're packing suits for more than one person, make sure to label each garment bag with the name of the individual it belongs to.

Some Types of Suit Bag/Luggage for Traveling

• A garment bag is one of the best solutions for packing a suit. It's lightweight, easy to move around, and protects your suit from dirt, dust, and wrinkles.
• If you're packing multiple suits and require more space, a rolling suitcase or duffel bag is the perfect option for travel.
• Hard-sided luggage provides extra protection and is usually more resistant to wear and tear.
• Luggage with built-in straps to keep your suits secure helps to reduce creasing during transit.
• A suitcase with a garment rack can help you keep your suit wrinkle-free while traveling long distances.
• Use packing cubes or vacuum bags to save space and organize your clothes.

It may seem complicated to pack suits for a trip, but with the right tools and methods, you can make sure your clothes don't get wrinkled. All it takes is careful consideration when choosing luggage to suit your needs and following the helpful tips above to make wrinkle-free travel a breeze. Follow these tips, and in no time, you'll look sharp wherever life takes you. Bon voyage!