How to Pack a Suit in a Suitcase—and Look Sharper Than Ever on Arrival

12.12.2024 18:20

As you travel, you want to look and feel good. The trip may not seem to call for it, but a suit, or at the very least a suit jacket, should be in your carry-on or suitcase. You could be traveling for work and need to look professional, or you'll want to appear sharp when dining at a fancy restaurant (maybe unexpectedly!). Either way, knowing how to fold and pack a suit (or suit jacket) is essential. But knowing how to pack a suit properly can be deceptively tricky.

You can use a garment bag to pack a suit, but that means you'll be lugging around an extra piece of luggage, which is not always convenient, especially in today's extra-fees airline system. Traveling with too many pieces of luggage can also be cumbersome, not fit in transportation (rideshares, buses, trains), and slow down your trip. You'll travel more smoothly when you learn how to pack a suit in a suitcase or carry-on.

As a full-time traveler and business owner who's been to 88 countries and has packed a suit many, many times, mastering how to pack a suit has been a game changer in my life. Here's your guide to folding and packing a suit for travel like a pro.

Tips on How to Fold and Pack and Fold a Suit

There are two main ways to fold a suit for packing, depending on the type of luggage you're traveling with. The method of folding and packing a suit varies from keeping things light with a carry-on bag or smaller suitcase to a larger checked piece of luggage. The goal is to travel with a full suit (or suit jacket) without getting it crumbled, wrinkled, or creased.

You'll want to know the packing and folding method for each type of luggage you own or would possibly travel with so that you're prepared to pack a suit on any trip. These don't require a garment bag or PhD, and you can arrive at your destination with a non-creased suit without needing a steamer.

How to Fold a Suit Inside a Larger Suitcase

Kimanzi Constable

Folding and packing a suit in a larger suitcase or checked bag is easier because, well, you have more space. Press or steam the suit and/or suit trousers before packing for the best chance of not getting it creased. You'll also need a dry-clean bag with this method.

First, hang the suit with a hanger.
Put a dry-clean bag over the suit.
Smooth out the suit jacket and trousers with your hand.
Fold the bottom of the suit up (while in the dry-clean bag), reducing its size by half.
Lay the half-folded suit (and trousers) on top of the clothes section of your larger suitcase.

Try not to overpack this section of your suitcase with the suit in it—let it have space to breathe and not get compressed. The dry-clean bag will help, and thankfully, this method is quick.

How to Fold a Suit Inside a Carry-On

Kimanzi Constable

Okay, so folding and packing a suit in a carry-on bag or smaller suitcase admittedly has a few more steps. I suggest pressing (it can be with your hands) or steaming the suit before packing. With this method, you won't need a dry-clean bag.

First, lay the suit on a flat surface like a bed or table. Technically, you can also hang up to the suit to fold it, but ensure you have space around the hung suit to work (or else things will get chaotic).
Smooth out the suit jacket and trousers with your hand.
Pop both shoulders inside out.
Fold the suit in half to the point where the lapels touch.
Fold the tuckered suit in half or, depending on the size of your carry-on, fold once more delicately.
If you're traveling with trousers, put the folded suit in first, and fold the trousers and place them over the jacket inside the carry-on.

The lighter you pack, the more likely you will arrive at your destination without a crumbled or creased suit.

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Luggage and Products to Help You Pack a Suit

American Tourister Westridge 3-Piece Set Hardside Luggage

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You'll need a carry-on and/or larger checked bag with good wheels (they often break) and enough room for your suit and other travel items. American Tourister Westridge 3-Piece Set Hardside Luggage with spinner wheels is a solid travel luggage set. These are hardshell suitcases that can withstand the bags being thrown around by airport staff. They're also spacious, and the wheels are larger and more sturdy than those of many competitors. I've used this luggage set for 10 years and can vouch that this is great for travel and packing a suit.

Nesugar G3 Steamer

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You now know how to fold and pack a suit now. Phew. But to ensure your suit is 100-percent wrinkle-free at all times, you can travel with a portable steamer. Nesugar G3 Steamer is a lightweight and affordable mobile steamer that costs less than $50. It fits in any carry-on or checked back, is easy to use, and can press all of your clothes throughout your journey. Trust me when I say you'll use it often, and it's a miracle for keeping your suit, and by extension your look, fresh.

Modoker Carry-On Garment Duffel Bag

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Having a carry-on bag that fits underneath your seat is handy, yet too many bags are small enough for that challenge but too big to hold a suit. Modoker Carry-On Garment Duffel Bag with a shoulder strap is the best of both worlds—it's small but convertible. The bag is lightweight, big enough for a suit, and can even be converted into a garment bag.

Lumesner Carry-On Backpack

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You might opt for a travel backpack instead of a shoulder bag or tote or smaller carry-on suitcase. Lumesner Carry-On Backpack, Extra Large 40L comes with four packing cubes, is water-resistant, and is big enough to hold your suit—you can even fit your streamer in it, too. It will greatly assist you in traveling lighter without missing what you need.

RINTATI Clear Plastic Clothes Covers (30-Pack)

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RINTATI Clear Plastic Clothes Covers (30-Pack) dry-clean bags will fit nicely over a suit as you pack for a larger suitcase. They can also cover shirts, sweaters, or other clothing you want protected while traveling.

Why You Should Trust Me

In addition to writing for Men's Journal, I've covered topics ranging from travel to menswear and styling to watches and grooming for AskMen, Travel & Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Business Insider, and more.

In 2019, my wife and I sold everything to become full-time digital nomads. We've since lived in 20 countries. I'm also a business owner who consults corporate teams as I travel. That means I need to look good in a professional setting. Over the years, I've traveled with many suits, and I have done so by traveling as lightly (but smartly) as possible.