In short
A suit travels most crease-free hanging in a garment bag. In a suitcase, fold the jacket with the lining facing outward, fold the trousers along the crease line and pack both right at the top. Hang them up as soon as you arrive: light creases will drop out overnight or in the steam of a shower.
A wedding, a job interview or a meeting with a client: these are exactly the moments when your suit needs to look sharp, and exactly when you're often travelling with a suitcase or hand luggage. With the right folding technique, the right luggage and a few simple steps after arrival, it will arrive crease-free. Here you'll find all the methods compared, a step-by-step guide and tips for plane and car journeys.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Good for | Risk of creasing |
|---|---|---|
| Garment bag, hanging | Flights, train journeys, car trips, appointments right after arrival | very low |
| Folded in a suitcase (lining facing outward) | Travelling with a single piece of luggage | low |
| Folding organiser with folding board | Shirts and jacket in hand luggage | low |
| Rolled | Trousers, shirts made of soft fabric | medium, not for jackets |
| Loose in a travel bag or backpack | emergencies only | high |
Folding a suit jacket: step by step
This technique is used by tailors and frequent travellers alike. The lining faces outward, protecting the outer fabric, while the shoulders keep their shape.
- Empty the pockets and give the jacket a quick shake out.
- Turn the left shoulder inside out, so the lining faces outward.
- Tuck the right shoulder into the left. The shoulder pads now sit inside one another.
- Smooth it out lengthways, with the sleeves on the inside and the lapel left untouched on the outside.
- Fold once across, ideally over a rolled-up layer of clothing so that no sharp crease forms.
For the trousers, fold them along the crease line and fold once or twice across. Alternatively, lay them halfway into the suitcase, pack other clothing on top and fold the legs back over it. This creates a soft curve instead of a sharp crease.
Suit in a suitcase: how to pack it correctly
Creases in a suitcase form through pressure and shifting around. Both can be avoided:
- A shape-stable suitcase: Hard-shell suitcases barely give way under external pressure. Find out more about the differences in the guide hard-shell or soft-shell.
- Suit last and on top: Heavy items such as shoes and a toiletry bag go at the bottom near the wheels, with the suit placed on top.
- Well-filled, not overstuffed: In a half-empty suitcase, everything shifts around. Packing straps and packing cubes keep the contents in place.
- Soft padding: Tissue paper or a thin garment cover between layers prevents sharp creases.
A folding organiser holds the jacket and shirts folded flat and fits into most suitcases:
You'll find suitable companions among our suitcases and trolleys, and for short trips among our cabin luggage and business trolleys. Packing aids are available in organisers and packing aids. More tricks for a well-organised suitcase can be found in the 10 packing tips.
The garment bag: the safest solution
In a garment bag, the suit stays on its hanger, just as it does in the wardrobe. There are three types:
Classic, attachable
107 cm
Full-length garment bag that can be attached to the trolley. Two zip compartments at the front hold ties and small items.
TraveliteTravelite Mobile Kleidersack 107 cm (black)0.9 kg, attaches to a trolley
For multiple days
110 cm
With separate laundry and shoe compartment, a large front pocket and a hanger clip for standard clothes hangers. Lockable.
TraveliteTravelite Mobile Kleidersack "Business" 110 cm (black)Laundry and shoe compartment, shoulder strap
Travel bag and garment bag in one
32 l
Converts from a weekender bag into a garment bag. Practical if you only want to bring one piece of luggage.
TraveliteTravelite Basics32 l, 0.65 kg
Compact with padding
58 cm
Folded format with anti-crease foam, a loop for hanging and a detachable shoulder strap.
VictorinoxVictorinox Werks Traveler 7.01.5 kg, 8 cm deep
You'll find all models among our garment bags. If you need a laptop and documents alongside your suit, you'll find suitable additions among our business bags and weekender bags.
Suit on a plane
- In hand luggage: A folded garment bag is usually counted as a piece of hand luggage. Its size and weight need to match your airline's requirements, see hand luggage: size and weight by airline.
- Lay it flat in the overhead bin: Place the garment bag in last and on top, so no trolley case presses down on it.
- Ask about the wardrobe: Some airlines hang jackets on board, especially in higher booking classes. Ask when boarding.
- For checked luggage: Pack the suit right at the top of the suitcase, as described above.
Suit in the car
A suit is best kept hanging while in the car. Hang the garment bag on the hook above the rear door or on the headrest. A light garment cover is enough for this, protecting it from dust and abrasion. If the suit has to go in the boot, lay it flat right at the top, with no bags placed on it.
Arrived: smoothing out creases quickly
- Unpack straight away and hang the suit on a wide hanger. Many creases will disappear on their own overnight.
- Use steam: Hang the hanger in the bathroom and take a hot shower. After 15 to 20 minutes in the steam, light creases will be gone.
- Iron carefully: Use a low temperature with a cloth between the iron and the fabric, so no shiny patches appear.
- Smooth by hand: Run slightly damp hands over the sleeves and trouser legs and let them dry.
Frequently asked questions about travelling with a suit
How do you fold a suit jacket for a suitcase?
Turn one shoulder inside out, tuck the other shoulder into it and fold the jacket together lengthways. This way the lining faces outward and the outer fabric is protected. Then fold once across and place it at the top of the suitcase.
Is rolling better than folding?
For trousers and shirts made of jersey or knit fabric, yes, because no sharp creases form. A jacket with shoulder pads and a reinforced lapel is better folded, otherwise the shoulders and collar lose their shape.
Can a garment bag go in hand luggage?
Yes, when folded, as long as it meets your airline's size and weight requirements. Many garment bags can be folded twice and then fit in the overhead bin. Check your airline's requirements beforehand.
How do I get creases out of a suit without an iron?
Hang the suit on a hanger in the bathroom and take a hot shower. The steam lets light creases drop out within 15 to 20 minutes. Let it dry thoroughly afterwards before wearing it.
How do I transport a suit in a car?
Best hung in a garment bag, for example on the hook above the rear door. In the boot, the suit should lie flat right at the top, with no luggage on top of it.
Which suitcase is best for a suit?
A shape-stable suitcase with packing straps, so nothing shifts around. A hard shell protects against external pressure. It's important that the suitcase is well filled, but not overstuffed.
