Business travel often comes with its fair share of frustrations, but arriving at your destination with a wrinkled suit shouldn’t be one of them. While many seasoned travelers invest in garment bags or wrinkle-free fabrics, knowing how to fold and roll a suit for packing properly is valuable, especially when space is tight.
Rush Wilson, a seasoned clothier, offers a practical approach for packing your suit without damaging its structure or causing unsightly creases. His method is simple, requires no special tools, and works well using a hard-sided suitcase or a small overnight bag.
How to Fold A Suit or Jacket and Trousers for Travel
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prepare the Jacket
Start by taking the suit jacket off the hanger. Lay it flat on a clean surface like your bed or dresser. With the outside lining facing away from you, bring the shoulder points together so the lining is on the outside. Carefully line up the sleeves so they fall on top of each other.
Flatten the collar and lapels so they match up on each side. This attention to detail is crucial — misaligned lapels are a major source of unwanted creases.
Step 2: Fold the Jacket
Once everything is aligned, fold one side of the jacket over the other, essentially folding the jacket in half lengthwise. The front edges of the jacket should now meet cleanly. Then, turn the jacket upside down so the bottom hem faces you.
Step 3: Prepare the Pants
Fold your suit pants in half lengthwise — aligning the legs — and then fold them in half again. This compact fold allows the pants to buffer inside the folded jacket.
Step 4: Complete the Roll
Lay the folded pants across the bottom of the folded jacket. Then fold the jacket over the pants. This layering technique provides structure and padding, helping prevent the sharp creases that often occur in transit, particularly around the lapels.
Step 5: Pack with Care
Place the folded suit carefully into your suitcase or overnight bag. Avoid stuffing or compressing it with other items. If using a smaller overnight bag, gently lay the folded suit inside without disturbing its structure.
Step 6: Unpack and Refresh
As soon as you arrive at your destination, unpack your suit. Shake it out gently, then hang the jacket and pants on the provided hotel hangers.
If you notice minor wrinkles, don’t panic. Hang the suit in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam will help relax the wool fibers and naturally release most wrinkles — a classic travel hack that works surprisingly well.
BONUS: How To Fold and Pack Your Dress Shirt
A properly packed suit reflects attention to detail — a trait that never goes unnoticed in business. Rush Wilson’s method shows that you don’t need complicated folding techniques or travel gadgets to keep your suit looking sharp. With a few simple steps and some care in unpacking, you’ll arrive looking professional and polished, ready to step off the plane and into the boardroom.
Remember: Travel may be unpredictable, but your appearance doesn’t have to be.
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