If you don’t already, you need to know how to pack a suit.
You’re a busy professional. Your focus is on your business, maintaining your health, and spending quality time with family.
Yes, you want to look good but no, you don’t want to spend a lot of time focusing on looking presentable. And when you travel, you don’t want to waste time looking for a decent dry cleaner or wrestling with the iron at your hotel.
Knowing how to put a suit in a suitcase can save you time and money. Which is why you should keep reading this article because we’re sharing with you how to pack a suit in a carry on so that it’s ready to wear when you need it.
How to Pack a Suit: Getting Started
There are a few things you need to be aware of when learning how to put a suit in a suitcase. First, if you strive for perfection, you will fail. No matter how precisely you learn this art form, you will still have a few wrinkles here and there.
However, if you find wrinkles when unpacking, hang the items in your bathroom while you shower. The steam should take care of it. If that doesn’t work, use the iron.
The second thing you need to know is that not all textiles will react to being folded in the same way. Some fabrics, like linen, just wrinkle more easily than wool. Also, fabrics worn in summer are usually less bulky than fabrics worn during cooler months.
Third, your best option when traveling for business is to fold your suit correctly into your luggage. Don’t bother with a garment bag. Not only are they cumbersome to travel with, but your clothes won’t arrive any less wrinkle-free.
How to Pack a Suit Jacket
With the inside of your jacket facing you, place your hands in the shoulders of your jacket. Then put your hands together as though you’re praying so the jacket is folded in half.
With your thumb, grab the bottom inside section of the coat where the two parts of your jacket meet. Your dominant hand should then fold one shoulder inside out so that it’s covering the other shoulder.
Once it’s in half, fold the entire jacket in half. The shoulders should meet with the other end of the jacket.
How to Fold and Pack Your Pants
Take your dress pants and fold them in half with the pleat. You should be able to see the seams running down the middle.
Starting at the bottom of the pants, fold the pants about one-third of the way up. The ends should set upon the middle of the pants. Next, again fold the lower part of the pants in half. The bottom of the folded pants and the top should meet one another.
You can now tuck them into your folded up jacket to ensure they haven’t been jostled around during your travels.
How to Fold and Pack Your Dress Shirt
Begin by laying your dress shirt face down on a flat surface. Next, fold in the arms so that they come across the back and down the side. This should create a 45-degree angle from the shoulder.
Starting with the outside of the shirt, lengthwise, fold both ends in half so the arms meet each other in the middle. Next, take the bottom of the shirt and fold it in a similar fashion as your pants.
Fold it about one-third so that the bottom sets on the middle of the shirt. Fold it again so that it’s folded in half. The end of the shirt should now meet the top.
How to Fold and Pack Your Ties
You have two options when it comes to your ties. The first option is to invest in a tie case. Most are built to carry two ties but it is possible to squeeze four in there without causing wrinkles and creases.
Your other option is to roll up your tie. One option is to tuck them safely into your shoes to avoid them coming unrolled while traveling.
Do not attempt to shove them further into your shoe. Only keep your ties in the open area of your shoes to keep them rolled in place and wrinkle-free.
How to Pack Accessories to Your Suit
Knowing how to put a suit in a suitcase isn’t the only thing you need to learn. There are other important items you need to pack and keep wrinkle-free. Let’s go over them.
Your Shoes and Socks
In a perfect world, you could bring along your shoe tree to ensure your shoes arrive looking polished and ready. But shoe trees add extra weight so get creative instead.
You can just roll up your socks and place them inside your shoes. No one will notice if they get a little wrinkled. You can do the same with your underwear.
However, do consider bringing along your shoe bags. They will help you contain your shoes, ties, and socks. Also, you’ll protect your shoes from getting marks or scuffs on them. If you don’t have a shoe bag, ask the hotel for some shower caps and use those.
Place the soles of your shoe toe to foot at the bottom of your luggage. Place the shoes near the wheels to help keep your luggage balanced.
Belts
Belts roll up easily. They also fit nicely in the collar of your shirt. This will help you keep the shape of your shirt.
Toiletries
It’s advisable to place your toiletries in a double bag. This ensures fewer possibilities of unexpected rips, tears, or spills. You can also wrap cellophane over the caps of anything that might possibly spill while in transit.
Razer Safety Tip
Grab a binder clip from your office and place it over the blade of your razer. Now you don’t need to worry about accidental cuts and nicks until you’re actually shaving.
Bring at least two empty bags. One bag is for your dirty laundry. You don’t want it mixed in with your clean clothes. The other bag is for carrying any souvenirs.
And grab a dryer sheet to put in the bag. It will help eliminate unpleasant odors.
Where to Shop for Your Business Suits
Now that you know how to pack a suit, you need to find proper suits to fit your lifestyle. As they say, the clothes make the man.
We can help outfit you in custom-made suits that make people notice you for all the right reasons. But don’t take our word for it, click here to read what others have to say about us.
