How to Pack Clothes Easily Without Creasing or Wrinkling

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You’re two days out from heading to the airport to embark on a trip of a lifetime. As you sit in your bedroom looking at the explosion of clothing on your bed and your sprawled open luggage on the floor, you battle the age-old packing dilemma that has been questioned even by the most seasoned world travelers: to fold, or to roll? But that doesn’t always cut it for suits, gowns, and other clothing you don’t want creased when you arrive. Fortunately, there is a simple and effective way to pack your clothing to ensure you look your best while on vacation, so the only thing left to do is a restaurant for dinner. 

Introducing the garment bag technique. You might not need it for your simple t-shirts, but when packing more formal attire for a work trip when you can’t be bothered getting out the iron, this can be incredibly useful. All you need is a garment bag and some clothing hangers.

For just a few dollars, you can buy some Gusseted Garment Bags for Hanging Clothes on Amazon, or source them from your local dry cleaner. A garment bag makes packing a breeze while preventing dreaded creases and wrinkles from making an unannounced appearance. Mar Pages, co-founder of the Solo Female Traveler’s blog, swears by this garment bag method for keeping her suits in shape during weekly work trips. “Simply fold the sleeves inward,” Pages explains. “Then fold the bottom halfway up towards the shoulder pads. Slide the coat hanger down, ensuring the hook stays inside the collar.”

Garment bags aren’t just for structured work clothing though, and can be used for any travel outfits with the same great wrinkle-free benefits. The slippery surface of the garment bag glides over your clothing and prevents stubborn wrinkles from forming. So when you arrive at your destination, you just need to hang your clothing. This genius technique also helps keep your clothing’s shape, so you’ll be sure to show up to your next important meeting looking pulled together, rather than rumpled and rushed, like you just rolled out of bed.