Words by Carlie Tucker
Packing a suit in a suitcase without crushing it is an obstacle for business travellers around the globe. Maintaining the right creases while minimising the chance of wrinkles is no laughing matter, and don't even get me started on how annoying a wrinkled lapel is.
I hear you saying you can always get it pressed when you arrive at your hotel, but it's not always that easy. What if you don't have the time to wait for the laundry service, or, even worse, what if your hotel doesn't offer laundry service? Garment bags are the next best thing, but there will be a time or two when you'll just have to pack it.
Applicable to men and women's attire, here's a quick and easy guide on how to correctly fold and pack a suit.
The Shirt & Jacket:
- Lay your shirt/jacket front side down with the sleeves out to the sides. Smooth away any wrinkles.
- With one hand on the shoulder closest to you and one hand on the parallel hem, fold the side of the shirt to the middle, pulling the sleeve over with the fold.
- Lay the sleeve along the fold, smoothing away any wrinkles.
- Repeat steps two and three on the opposite side of the shirt/jacket.
- Fold the bottom third of the shirt/jacket to approximately halfway up the shirt. Holding that in place, fold again up to the collar so that the shirt/jacket is a neat rectangle.
- Place the shirt/jacket into a zip lock plastic bag. Be sure to leave a little bit of air in the bag when sealing it as this will create a protective pocket of air around your clothing.
Tip: Roll your belt and put it in the collar of your shirt to add a bit of stability and prevent your collar from getting squished in your suitcase.
The Pants:
- Holding your pants in front of you, fold lengthwise in line with the crease of the pants. This keeps the crease sharp, which will assist in maintaining an overall tidy look.
- Lay the pants out on a flat surface and fold them in half. If space allows, you can place them in your suitcase like this. Or, if necessary, fold them in half again to fit into your case.
Tip: Place your pants in the fold of your jacket for a little extra protection for both items.
Place your folded items into your suitcase. Try to put them toward the top layer of your case to avoid causing wrinkles by stacking other items on top of them. Some packing experts even recommend putting a layer of plastic (such as a dry cleaner bag) around them in an effort to keep them wrinkle-free.
