How to best pack and fold a suit for travel

You’ve been called in to interview for your dream job in your dream city. You’ve already booked your flight and you’ve chosen your all-star suit with the perfect fit. You’re going to rock the interview. Time to pack. But wait, won’t folding your immaculately pressed suit in your suitcase ruin it? Now what?

That’s why learning how to fold a suit for travel is a must-have skill that not many people actually seem to know.

Wearing a suit during your travels can sometimes be necessary, whether it is for a job interview or simply because you want to just look absolutely incredible on your trip. The problem arises when trying to figure out how to fold a suit for travel. Clumsily stuffing your suit without care may introduce permanent creasing to your beloved suit.

READ MORE: We also share the ultimate packing list for your next trip abroad

Read on to learn the 3 best ways to fold a suit for travel.

3 best ways to pack and fold a suit for travel

• Method 1 – fastest and simplest way to fold a suit jacket for luggage
• Method 2 – reduces creasing as no foldings of the suit is required
• Method 3 – best way to fold a suit for travel with a duffel bag

Method 1 – how to fold a suit for travel in six seconds

• Step 1: Put your suit jacket on a hanger
• Step 2: Pack your jacket in a dry-cleaning bag
• Step 3: Fold the jacket in half from top to bottom (not from the sides) making sure you fold the sleeves as well
• Step 4: Lay in your suitcase

This method is simple to get your suit packed with as few folds as possible. It is also very quick, making it one of the best ways to pack a suit for travel.

Method 2 – how to roll a suit jacket in the suitcase without folding

• Step 1: Similar to method 1, lay your jacket on a flat surface with the back facing up
• Step 2: Work one jacket shoulder inside out and tuck the other shoulder into it
• Step 3: Starting from the top, carefully roll the jacket until you reach the bottom

This method effectively reduces creasing by eliminating the need for folding. Additionally, you can tuck other items inside the roll. Just pay special attention not to add too many items or else you encourage the formation of wrinkles.

The downside: the roll will have more volume than folding, which will require a bit more space when packing a suit.

Method 3 – how to fold a suit for travel with limited space

• Step 1: Take your suit jacket and pop both shoulders inside, not the whole sleeve
• Step 2: Fold it in half so that the lapels touch
• Step 3: Fold it twice, in thirds, so there are three equal lengths one on top of the other

This method is perfect for packing a suit if you are carrying a smaller duffel bag or a carry-on as it reduces the amount of space the suit takes up. This method makes travelling with a suit easier for those on short trips or one-day trips who need to carry a suit with them. When you need to wear the suit jacket, just pop out the shoulder and give it a shake and you’ve got a wrinkle-free suit jacket ready to wear.

You’ve now learned the tried-and-true best ways to pack a suit for travel. But that’s just half the battle. What should you do after you’ve arrived at your destination and unpacked? Check out the following tips to eliminate any possible wrinkles and preserve the integrity of your beloved suit jacket.

• Tip 1: Minimize the amount of time your suit stays packed in the suitcase when you travel with a suit. Once you arrive, remove your suit jacket as soon as possible and hang it on a proper coat hanger.
  
• Tip 2: Use the hotel iron to gently press out any wrinkles on the suit. Place a cotton sheet underneath your suit jacket while ironing. Don’t get tempted to slide your iron across the fabric; instead, gently press and hold for just a few seconds at a time, then release.
  
• Tip 3: If you don’t have access to a quality iron, hang the suit in the bathroom and turn on the hot water to create steam. The steaming effect should help reduce wrinkles.

7 Key things to remember when folding and packing your suit for travel

1. The fewer folds, the better.
2. Avoid stacking other items on top of your suit.
3. Use a flat surface to fold the suit if you can.
4. If you have a garment hanger, use that instead.
5. Use the plastic cover from your dry clean to hang over your suit.
6. If possible, wear your suit during travelling instead of packing it.
7. Choosing the right suitcase can make an impact on preserving your suit. Opt for hard-cased suitcases instead of soft-cased ones.

Take care of your suit, and your suit will take care of you

Packing a suit for travel isn’t impossible. Sometimes it is necessary to travel with a suit, such as for work. Other times you just want to look amazing during your vacation by wearing your favourite suit. By paying special attention to how to fold a suit for travel, you can end up with a suit looking just as good as before you packed it.