How to Pack a Suit in a Suitcase: A Step-by-Step Guide
When travelling for business or a special event, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to pack a suit in a suitcase without wrinkling it. Properly packing your suit ensures that you arrive at your destination looking sharp and professional, with minimal touch-ups required. But folding and placing your suit into a suitcase requires some know-how to avoid creases and maintain its form.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how to pack a suit in a suitcase. We’ll provide step-by-step instructions, additional tips for wrinkle prevention, and advice on how to care for your suit while traveling. Let’s make sure your suit arrives in perfect condition, no matter where your travels take you.
Why Proper Suit Packing is Important
Packing a suit properly is crucial because suits are typically made from fabrics that wrinkle easily, such as wool, linen, and cotton blends. Wrinkles can be tough to remove once set in, especially if you don’t have access to an iron or steamer while traveling. In addition, improperly folded suits can lose their shape or structure, making them appear less crisp and polished.
With the right techniques, you can minimize wrinkling, preserve the suit’s shape, and ensure that your outfit is ready to wear upon arrival.
Preparing Your Suit for Packing
Before you begin folding and packing your suit, preparation is key. Here are some simple steps to ensure your suit is in its best condition before placing it in the suitcase:
- Clean and Press: Always clean your suit before packing. You don’t want to deal with stains or odors during your trip. If possible, have your suit professionally cleaned and pressed a day or two before traveling.
- Check for Loose Items: Empty all pockets of your suit jacket and trousers to prevent unnecessary bulging or creasing during the trip.
- Use a Garment Bag (Optional): If you have a garment bag, it can provide an extra layer of protection. Even if you’re packing your suit in a suitcase, placing it in a garment bag first can help prevent creases.
Step-by-Step Guide to Packing a Suit in a Suitcase
Step 1: Folding the Suit Jacket
Folding the suit jacket properly is critical to avoid wrinkles. Follow these steps:
- Turn the Jacket Inside Out: To minimize visible wrinkles, gently turn the suit jacket inside out. This way, any creases that develop will be on the inside of the jacket and not visible when you wear it.
- Align the Shoulders: Lay the jacket flat, aligning the shoulders. Carefully fold one shoulder inside the other so that the suit jacket is folded in half vertically. This ensures the jacket maintains its shape while being folded.
- Fold in Half: Once the shoulders are aligned, fold the jacket in half horizontally. This fold makes the jacket more compact and ready to fit inside a suitcase. If the suitcase is small, you may need to fold the jacket one more time.
Step 2: Folding the Suit Trousers
Properly folding the trousers is just as important as the jacket. Here’s how to do it:
- Lay the Trousers Flat: Lay your trousers on a flat surface, ensuring that the creases from the ironing are aligned.
- Fold in Half Lengthwise: Fold the trousers in half lengthwise by bringing one leg over the other. Make sure the crease along the leg is maintained.
- Fold Horizontally: Fold the trousers in half horizontally, matching the waistband with the hem of the legs. This will create a neat fold that minimizes wrinkling.
Step 3: Placing the Suit in the Suitcase
- Layer Other Items on the Bottom: Before placing the suit inside the suitcase, layer your heavier clothing items, such as jeans or sweaters, at the bottom. These pieces will create a smooth, flat surface for your suit.
- Add the Suit: Place the folded suit jacket and trousers on top of your other items in the suitcase. To provide extra protection, you can place tissue paper or a plastic dry-cleaning bag around the folded suit. The plastic or tissue helps reduce friction and further prevents wrinkles.
- Fill Empty Spaces with Soft Items: Fill any gaps in the suitcase with softer clothing items like t-shirts or socks. This helps keep your suit in place and prevents it from shifting during transit.
Alternative: Rolling the Suit
If you’re packing light or using a carry-on suitcase, rolling your suit can be an effective way to prevent wrinkles. Here's how you can roll your suit instead of folding it:
- Rolling the Jacket: Start by turning the jacket inside out, and aligning the shoulders as described earlier. Once the jacket is folded in half, roll it from the bottom upwards. Rolling helps distribute the pressure evenly, reducing the likelihood of creases.
- Rolling the Trousers: For the trousers, fold them in half lengthwise and roll them tightly from the waistband down. Rolling the trousers also reduces the risk of creases and keeps them compact.
Rolling is particularly useful for suits made of lightweight fabrics like linen, which tend to wrinkle less and are easier to smooth out with this method.
Tips for Wrinkle Prevention While Traveling
- Unpack Immediately: As soon as you arrive at your destination, take your suit out of the suitcase and hang it up. Letting the suit hang allows the fabric to naturally release any wrinkles.
- Use a Steamer: If you notice wrinkles after unpacking, using a portable steamer is the best way to smooth them out without damaging the fabric. If you don’t have access to a steamer, try hanging the suit in the bathroom while you take a hot shower—the steam can help relax the wrinkles.
- Avoid Overpacking: Overstuffing your suitcase creates more pressure on your suit, increasing the chance of wrinkles. Leave some space in the suitcase to avoid crushing the suit.
For more advice on maintaining your wardrobe during travels, check out our blog on what colors go with light purple shorts to help you choose complementary clothing items for different outfits while traveling.
Using a Garment Bag for Extra Protection
If you have the option to travel with a garment bag, it is one of the best ways to protect your suit from wrinkles. Here’s how to use a garment bag effectively:
- Fold the Suit in the Garment Bag: Place your suit jacket and trousers inside the garment bag, keeping them on their hangers. Then, fold the garment bag in half, making it compact enough to fit into overhead compartments or carry-on spaces.
- Use the Hanger Hook: Many garment bags have a hook that attaches to luggage handles, allowing you to hang your bag securely when needed.
While garment bags aren’t always convenient for short trips, they provide the best protection for your suit when wrinkle-free presentation is critical.
Long-Term Suit Care While Traveling
- Use Proper Hangers: Always hang your suit on a wide, structured hanger as soon as you arrive at your destination. Avoid thin wire hangers, which can stretch out the fabric and distort the shape of the shoulders.
- Avoid Over-Wearing: Try to alternate between suits if you’re on a longer trip. Wearing the same suit every day without giving it time to recover can cause more wear and tear.
- Consider a Suit Brush: Pack a small suit brush to remove dust or debris from your suit after each wear. This will help maintain the fabric’s quality and appearance.
Conclusion: How to Pack a Suit in a Suitcase
Packing a suit in a suitcase doesn’t have to be stressful. By using the right folding techniques—whether you prefer to fold or roll your suit—you can significantly reduce the risk of wrinkles and ensure your suit arrives in great condition. With the tips and methods outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to pack your suit for any trip, whether it’s a short weekend getaway or an extended business trip.
For more fashion tips and packing guides, visit InStyle Town and explore our latest collections and styling advice to keep your wardrobe in top shape, no matter where you travel.