Frequent business travelers often use a garment bag to pack suits for airline travel.
When it comes to business attire, suits are a staple of any business wardrobe, and frequent travelers know that packing a suit can be a pain. Many businessmen and businesswomen travel for just a day, and due to time constraints, it's easier to bring carry-on luggage -- including suits -- rather than to check their luggage.
Instructions
1. Wear it. If you chose to wear your suit onto the plane, take off your suit jacket before you board. As you walk through the cabin, ask the flight attendant if you can hang your jacket in the front stowage closet. Usually, this closet is reserved for business class or first class travelers, but it's worth asking. If the front closet is unavailable, turn your jacket inside out, fold it gently, and either place it in the overhead luggage bin, or comfortably on your lap. When the plane lands, promptly unfold your suit jacket.
2. Upgrade. At the check-in counter, ask if you can upgrade to business- or first-class seats. Individuals in these cabins can often use a small hanging stowage closet located in the airplane's cabin. If you are wearing your suit, take off your suit jacket and ask for it to be hung.
3. Use a garment bag. Garment bags help prevent wrinkles when packing suits. Use a hanger for the suit jacket, slacks or skirt. If it is necessary to fold the suit in the garment bag, pull any loose fabric tight, and make sure the folds are gentle, not creased. If you are unable to hang your garment bag, stow the bag in the overhead luggage bin.
4. Fold properly. If you include your suit in your carry-on luggage, make sure the suit is the last item you pack. The fewer hours it is folded the better. When ready to pack, lay the slacks or skirt over a hanger. Then, hang the jacket on the same hanger and place it in your carry-on luggage. To make the suit fit, pull one side of the jacket over to the other side and fold gently, if necessary. Like when using a garment bag, pull any loose fabric tight, continuing to use gentle folds.
5. Unpack. When you get to your destination, unpack your suit right away. If it is extremely wrinkled, consider sending it out for dry cleaning. If not, hang it up, which will allow for any small wrinkles to work themselves out. You may want to hang the suit in the bathroom, run the shower on hot, and close the bathroom door to steam out any remaining minor wrinkles. You can also use a warm iron to press the suit.
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