If you’ve ever found yourself flying to a wedding, a work conference, a funeral, or some other formal event, you know how annoying it can be to show up, unpack your suitcase, and be greeted by a wrinkled suit.
The good news is that—no matter what you might think—it’s actually possible to pack a suit in such a way that protects it from getting wrinkled mid-flight.
To help you travel wrinkle-free, we consulted with our friends at Indochino, where you can get made-to-measure suits that fit you perfectly at off-the-rack prices. Even better, you get to choose your customizations to really make it your own.
If you’re in the market, Indochino’s Black Friday Event is on now. You can snag high-quality custom suits made from 100% wool from just $289 USD, plus 100’s of other deals on custom coats, shirts, and pants.
Without further ado, here are five tips to keep in mind as you pack a suit for your next jaunt.
1. Don’t roll it
You’ve probably heard the so-called wisdom that tells us to roll up our clothes to save space in our suitcases. While this is definitely a useful tactic for things like underwear, undershirts, shorts, and pajamas, it’s not a great approach for suits by any stretch of the imagination. Take our word for it.
If you roll up a suit before a trip, you’ll need a professional steamer to get the wrinkles out when you unpack on the other side. Instead of signing up for that headache, pack more strategically.
2. Leave some room
You might be tempted to cram as many clothes into your suitcase as possible. Who wants to pay extra fees for checked luggage anyway?
The key to packing in a way that lets you travel wrinkle-free is this: less is more.
The more crap your stuff into your suitcase, the more weight you’ll have pressing down against your precious cargo: the suit.
After you’ve built a solid foundation of socks, underwear, and other clothes, gently place your suit on top of all of it, giving it ample room to breathe. Of course, you’ll also need to exert caution when you physically move your suitcase and (if it’s the right size) store it in the overhead compartments. Make sure not to stack weight on top of it, if it’s possible.
3. Pack a steamer
No matter how careful you are with packing, chances are you’re going to end up with at least a few wrinkles on your suit. Such is life.
Bring along a travel-sized steamer so that once you check into your hotel room, you can begin removing the wrinkles from your suit. You should be able to find a pretty decent steamer for $30 or so on Amazon.
4. Roll your ties
While you shouldn’t roll your suit up, you should definitely roll up some of your dapper accessories—like socks and ties (and especially ties!).
Rolling your ties can help prevent wrinkles, and it can also help you pack more strategically. For the best results, put your rolled-up ties in a Ziploc bag or a small tie box so that they stay folded up neatly.
Wondering the best way to roll up a tie? Check out this quick tutorial to get a better idea of what the process looks like.
5. Wear your heaviest shoes
Years ago, people actually dressed up when they traveled. If you’re like us, you’re probably more keen on dressing comfortably versus looking your best for your next flight.
That said, the way you dress for your flight can still help you keep your suit free of wrinkles. For example, wearing your heaviest shoes will make sure that you save space in your suitcase—giving your suit more room to breathe.
So there you have it.
Take your time packing your suitcase, err on the side of caution, and you should end up with a suit that’s wrinkle-free—or at least close enough to it that a handheld steamer can take you over the finish line.
And if you need a new suit, don’t forget to check out Indochino’s Black Friday Event.
Here’s to looking your best wherever your travels bring you next!
