How to Travel with a Suit: The Ultimate Guide for the Stylish Traveler
Traveling for business or a special occasion often means taking your sartorial game up a notch, usually including packing a suit.
But transporting a suit without ruining its shape is easier said than done.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of traveling with a suit, ensuring you arrive at your destination with your attire looking as crisp as ever.
This section features several affiliate links, meaning we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase through these links.
Understanding the Importance of Suit Care
Why Suit Care Matters
When you invest in a well-tailored suit, you’re not just buying clothing—you’re buying confidence. A wrinkled or damaged suit can take away from that confidence.
Therefore, knowing how to travel with a suit is essential for maintaining its longevity and your style quotient.
Common Suit Travel Pitfalls
Be aware of challenges like lack of space, potential for wrinkles, and climate changes. These factors can easily turn your stylish ensemble into a crumpled mess if not addressed properly.
Choosing the Right Suit for Travel
Material Matters
Wool, particularly merino wool, is excellent for travel because it’s wrinkle-resistant and breathable. On the other hand, materials like linen wrinkle easily and are not recommended for travel.
Suit Construction
Opt for suits with lighter construction and minimal lining for easier packing and fewer wrinkles.
Packing Methods: Fold, Roll, or Carry? The Age-Old Dilemma Answered FOR HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A SUIT
When traveling with a suit, you’ve got three significant options: fold, roll, or carry it. Think of it as the “rock, paper, scissors” of sartorial travel, except, unlike the game, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
So, let’s delve into the pros, cons, and best practices for each method so your suit arrives as impeccable as your taste in fashion.
Folding Your Suit: The Origami Masterclass
The Fine Art of Folding
Folding a suit may seem as fundamental as tying your shoelaces, but believe us, it’s more like a ballet—every move counts.
To fold a suit jacket, turn one shoulder inside out and tuck the other into it. This maintains the jacket’s form.
For trousers, go with a simple fold along their natural creases.
Tissue Paper, The Unsung Hero
Want to know the secret behind maintaining your suit’s GQ-esque look? Tissue paper. No, we’re not kidding.
Place sheets of tissue paper in the folds and on the shoulders to keep the suit’s shape intact during your journey.
It’s a game-changer, like an inexpensive bodyguard shielding your outfit from the chaos inside your suitcase.
When to Fold?
Folding is ideal when you’re short on space or you don’t have access to a garment bag. Just ensure you unpack and hang your suit as soon as you arrive at your destination to let any minor wrinkles relax.
Suit Folders
No products found.
Rolling Your Suit: The Road Less Travelled
How to Roll Like a Pro
Before you start, make sure your suit is buttoned up. Lay it flat and fold it in half lengthwise. Carefully roll it from the bottom up, making sure not to create any creases.
For trousers, fold them once at the crease and then roll them up.
Why Choose Rolling?
Firstly, it’s a real space-saver. Rolling condenses your suit into a format that occupies less square footage in your suitcase.
However, remember that this method is generally better suited for less formal, more forgiving fabrics. If you’re traveling for a beach wedding and your attire is casual, go ahead, roll away.
The Catch
Rolling isn’t ideal for high-stakes occasions where you need to look your best. Even with the best rolling techniques, you may end up with a few wrinkles that require attention upon arrival.
Additional Technique
Down below I have put vacuum bags that can also be used for suits as well!
Suit Vacuum Seal Bag
No products found.
Carrying Your Suit: VIP Treatment
The Garment Bag Advantage
Think of a garment bag as a portable closet for your suit. It’s the first-class ticket to ensuring your suit arrives at your destination virtually wrinkle-free.
Place your suit in a high-quality garment bag, and hang it up during your journey if possible. Many airplanes have special closets for this very purpose.
Invest in a Suit Carrier
If you’re a frequent traveler, consider getting a specialized suit carrier.
These are designed with compartments for not just your suit, but also your dress shoes, ties, and cufflinks. In other words, it’s a mini-wardrobe you can take on the go.
When to Carry?
Carrying your suit is ideal for short trips or when your appearance upon arrival is crucial. It’s also the best option if you’re flying business or first class where you can take advantage of the plane’s garment closet.
Suit Garment Bag
No products found.
Suit Travel Accessories You Must Have
Garment Bags
A high-quality garment bag is the most straightforward method to keep your suit in top condition.
Portable Steamer
For quick wrinkle removal, a portable steamer can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re going straight from the plane to a meeting.
You Might Be Interested In This: 11 BEST DIGITAL NOMAD TRAVEL ACCESSORIES YOU SHOULD BE USING IN 2023
Traveling with Multiple Suits
Rotation Strategy
If you need to travel with multiple suits, consider wearing one on the plane to save luggage space.
The Layering Technique
By layering tissue paper between multiple suits in a single garment bag, you can prevent friction and subsequent wrinkling.
Considerations for International Travel
Customs and Suit Care
Be prepared for potential customs inspections, and keep any garment bags easily accessible for checks.
Cultural Sensitivity
Research the dress codes and cultural norms related to formal attire in your destination country.
LOOKING FOR A GREAT DEAL ON THINGS TO DO?
5 Pro Tips for Taking Care of Your Suit During Travel
Looking suave is an art, especially when you’re on the move.
How do you keep that three-piece masterpiece looking like it’s fresh off the runway, even when you’re miles away from your trusted tailor?
Grab your pocket squares and cufflinks, dear sartorial wanderers; we’re about to dive into the ultimate pro tips for taking care of your suit during travel.
1. The Right Suit Makes All the Difference: Choose Wisely
Pro Tip: Go for Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics
You wouldn’t pack a snowsuit for a trip to the Bahamas, so why choose a linen suit for travel? The material matters, folks!
Opt for wrinkle-resistant fabrics like merino wool or blends that contain a small percentage of elastane for stretch. They’re the SUVs of the suit world—versatile, reliable, and they clean up nicely.
2. Be a Folding Samurai: Master the Art
Pro Tip: Use Tissue Paper for Added Structure
If you’re packing a suit, you’re already part of the upper echelons of travel sophistication, so don’t skimp on a garment bag.
A high-quality garment bag can be the equivalent of a VIP lounge for your suit—spacious, luxurious, and with zero disturbances.
Look for ones with built-in compartments for your other essentials like dress shoes, ties, and, dare we say it, a pocket square or two.
3. Timing is Everything - Unpack ASAP
Pro Tip: Unpack and Hang Your Suit Immediately Upon Arrival
You’ve invested a lot of care into packing your suit, so don’t drop the ball at the finish line. As soon as you arrive at your destination, unpack your case and hang it up.
This allows any creases or wrinkles incurred during the journey to relax and fall out naturally, allowing the fabric to breathe.
If your accommodation offers a wooden hanger with broad shoulders, that’s your best bet for maintaining the suit’s shape.
This quick and simple step can be the make-or-break moment for how your suit looks during your trip. Think of it as the cool-down lap after a sprint; it might seem inconsequential, but it’s crucial for peak performance.
4. Bag It Like a Pro: The Garment Bag is Your Best Friend
Pro Tip: Invest in a Quality Garment Bag
If you’re packing a suit, you’re already part of the upper echelons of travel sophistication, so don’t skimp on a garment bag.
A high-quality garment bag can be the equivalent of a VIP lounge for your suit—spacious, luxurious, and with zero disturbances.
Look for ones with built-in compartments for your other essentials like dress shoes, ties, and, dare we say it, a pocket square or two.
5. Freshen Up Upon Landing: First Impressions Matter
Pro Tip: The Bathroom Steam Trick
You’ve arrived, and let’s face it, even if you’ve followed all the rules, travel has a way of wrinkling even the best-laid plans (and suits).
If you are in a wrinkle emergency, hang your suit in the bathroom while you take a hot shower.
The steam should help relax those stubborn wrinkles. It’s like giving your suit a mini spa day after a long journey.
Portable Clothes Steamer
No products found.
There you have it: five foolproof ways to ensure you look as dashing disembarking from the plane as you stepped onto it.
Remember, a gentleman may travel, but his sense of style should never take a vacation.
Safe travels, and may your suits be ever wrinkle-free!
Conclusion
Traveling with a suit doesn’t have to be a hassle.
With the right preparation, packing techniques, and accessories, you can maintain your suit’s pristine condition and focus on nailing that business presentation or enjoying a special event.
After all, a well-preserved suit is more than just fabric; it’s your style and confidence encapsulated.
