Traveling for business or a special event often means packing your best suit. But arriving at your destination only to find a wrinkled, disheveled mess can be frustrating.
The key to ensuring your suit looks as sharp upon arrival as it did when you packed it lies in the folding technique. Properly folding your suit not only prevents unsightly creases but also helps maintain its structure and shape, ensuring you make the best impression.
This guide on how to fold a suit for travel will walk you through everything you need to know to pack your suit like a professional, keeping it pristine and ready to wear.
What Will You Need?
Before you begin, gathering a few simple items can make the process smoother and more effective. While you can fold a suit with just your hands, these tools offer extra protection against wrinkles and help maintain its form within your luggage.
- A Clean, Flat Surface: A large table or even a clean floor is essential for laying out the suit properly.
- A Garment Bag: This is the best option for protecting your suit, especially for longer trips or when you have ample space.
- Tissue Paper: Acid-free tissue paper is great for placing between folds to reduce friction and prevent creasing.
- Packing Cubes: A large packing cube can help contain the folded suit and keep it from shifting around in your suitcase.
- A Suitcase: Choose one that is large enough to accommodate the folded suit without compressing it too much.
10 Easy Steps on How to Fold a Suit for Travel
Follow these ten steps to ensure your suit travels safely and arrives wrinkle-free. This method is designed to work with the natural lines of the suit, protecting the shoulders and lapels from damage.
Step 1: Prepare the Suit Jacket
Start by laying your suit jacket face down on a clean, flat surface. Ensure the jacket is completely buttoned up. This helps the jacket hold its shape during the folding process. Take a moment to smooth out any visible wrinkles or bunches in the fabric with your hands. Make sure the sleeves are lying straight and the collar is sitting flat. This initial preparation is key to a neat fold.
Step 2: Fold One Shoulder Back
Gently take one shoulder of the jacket—let’s say the left shoulder—and fold it back on itself. You want to bring the left lapel over to meet the right lapel. As you do this, the inside lining of the back of the jacket will now be facing up. Be careful not to create a hard crease along the back. The goal is to fold it smoothly along the jacket’s natural seams.
Step 3: Turn the Other Shoulder Inside Out
Now, focus on the right shoulder. Instead of folding it back, you are going to pop it inside out. Use your hand to push the shoulder inward, so the outer fabric tucks into the interior of the jacket. This might feel a bit awkward at first, but it’s the most important step for protecting the shape of the shoulders, which are often the first part of a suit to get damaged in a suitcase.
Step 4: Tuck the First Shoulder into the Second
With the right shoulder now turned inside out, you have created a small pocket. Carefully take the left shoulder that you folded back in Step 2 and tuck it neatly into this pocket created by the right shoulder. This action locks the two shoulders together, creating a stable, compact shape. The front of the jacket, with its lapels, should now be perfectly aligned and facing up. The entire jacket should look like a neatly folded rectangle.
Step 5: Straighten the Lapels and Collar
Once the shoulders are secured, take a moment to adjust the collar and lapels. They should be lying flat and perfectly aligned on top of each other. Smooth them out with your hand to remove any bumps or folds. This step is crucial because any wrinkles in the lapels will be very noticeable when you wear the suit. A perfectly folded collar and lapel area will ensure the front of your jacket looks crisp.
Step 6: Fold the Jacket in Half Lengthwise
Now that the top half of your jacket is set, it’s time for the first major fold. Fold the jacket in half horizontally, bringing the bottom hem up to meet the collar. If you are using tissue paper, this is the perfect time to place a large sheet across the middle of the jacket before you make the fold. This adds an extra layer of cushioning and significantly reduces the chance of a hard crease forming across the torso.
Step 7: Prepare the Trousers
Set the folded jacket aside for a moment and lay your suit trousers on the flat surface. Make sure they are neatly pressed. Fold them in half vertically, aligning the legs along their natural crease. Use your hands to smooth out the fabric from the waistband down to the hems. A perfectly straight fold here prevents those dreaded double creases down the front of your trousers.
Step 8: Place the Jacket on the Trousers
Take your folded jacket and place it in the center of the folded trousers. The jacket acts as a soft, rounded form for the trousers to be folded around. This prevents sharp creases in the trousers by creating a gentler bend. Position the jacket near the top of the trousers, just below the waistband. This placement will help structure the final fold.
Step 9: Fold the Trousers Around the Jacket
Begin folding the trousers. First, fold the bottom part of the trousers’ legs up and over the jacket. Then, fold the top part of the trousers (the waistband section) down over the jacket. Your jacket should now be snugly encased within the folded trousers, creating a single, compact bundle. This method uses the jacket’s bulk to create a soft roll for the trousers, minimizing any chance of creasing.
Step 10: Pack the Suit Bundle
Your suit is now folded and ready for packing. The ideal way to transport it is by placing it inside a garment bag. If you don’t have one, carefully place the folded suit bundle into a large packing cube or directly into your suitcase. Position it on top of other soft items, like shirts or sweaters, to provide extra cushioning. Avoid placing heavy or hard objects, like shoes or toiletry bags, on top of the suit, as this can cause wrinkles and damage the fabric.
By following these ten steps, you can relax knowing your suit will arrive at its destination in pristine condition.
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Overpacking Your Suitcase: Jamming your suit into an overstuffed bag is the fastest way to create deep-set wrinkles. Always leave some breathing room.
- Packing a Dirty Suit: Small stains or dirt can set into the fabric under the pressure and heat of travel. Always pack a clean suit.
- Using a Wire Hanger: Never fold your suit around a sharp wire hanger. It will create strange creases and can even damage the shoulder padding.
- Leaving It in the Suitcase: Unpack your suit as soon as you arrive at your destination. Hang it up immediately to let any minor wrinkles fall out naturally.
- Checking Your Bag (If Possible): Carry-on luggage is handled more gently than checked bags. If your suit is in your carry-on, you have more control over keeping it safe.
By avoiding these mistakes and following the proper care instructions for your suit, you can ensure that it stays in top condition for many wears to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Can I Get Wrinkles Out of My Suit Without an Iron?
Hang the suit in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam will naturally relax the fibers and cause most minor wrinkles to fall out. Gently pull on the fabric to help the process along. This is a quick and effective method when you’re in a hotel. - Is Rolling a Suit Better Than Folding It?
While rolling is great for casual clothes, folding is generally better for structured garments like suits. The method described above is a hybrid that protects the suit’s shape while using soft folds to prevent sharp creases, giving you the best of both worlds. - Can I Use This Method for Other Formal Wear?
Yes, this folding technique works well for blazers, sport coats, and even formal dresses that have structured shoulders. The core principle of turning one shoulder inside out to protect the garment’s shape can be applied to a variety of formal attire.
Conclusion
Traveling with a suit doesn’t have to be a source of stress. By taking a few extra minutes to fold it correctly, you can protect your investment and ensure you look polished and professional wherever you go.
Following these steps will help you pack your suit efficiently, prevent wrinkles, and keep it in pristine condition. The next time you pack, remember these techniques and arrive with a suit that’s ready for any occasion.
Hopefully, the article on how to fold a suit for travel has been helpful and informative.