Whether you’re traveling for business, a wedding or just for pleasure, read on for how to pack a blazer and ensure your jacket looks its best when you put it on.
Step 1
Start with the jacket flat on a surface, unbuttoned.
Step 2
Fold the right shoulder inside out and underneath the jacket. Now it’s time to flip it over.
Step 3
Pull the left shoulder under the right shoulder. The left side should now be resting under the folded right side.
Step 4
Finally, fold it in half twice and place it on top of everything inside your bag. No matter where you go, the wrinkles won’t follow. Learn more tips to stay stylish on the go.
What to Consider Before Packing a Suit
- Fabric Type: Wool, tweed, and other natural fibers are more resilient to wrinkles than linen or cotton. A wool-blend blazer will arrive in better shape than a lightweight linen one, which may require immediate steaming.
- Trip Length & Activities: A short business trip may only require one suit, while a longer vacation with multiple formal events demands more planning. Consider if you can re-wear items to save space.
- Destination Climate: Packing a heavy wool sport coat for a tropical destination is a mistake. Choose fabrics appropriate for the weather, as this impacts both comfort and how the garment travels.
- Luggage Space: The size of your suitcase dictates the folding method. A larger bag may allow for a simple fold, while a compact carry-on requires a more intricate technique like the shirt-style fold to fit the blazer.
- Essential Tools: Always pack a travel-sized lint roller. A portable garment steamer is your best defense against wrinkles upon arrival. If space is tight, a small spray bottle for water can help release minor creases when hung overnight.
Choosing the Right Bag for Your Blazer and Suit
Successfully traveling with a sport coat or suit begins with your choice of luggage. Each type offers distinct advantages for keeping your formalwear pristine.
Garment Bags: This is the gold standard for wrinkle-free travel. A dedicated garment bag allows you to hang your blazer or suit, minimizing folds. Pros: Best protection against wrinkles, keeps everything in one place. Cons: Can be bulky and may count as a separate carry-on item. Ideal for weddings, important business meetings, or when your suit’s condition is the top priority.
Carry-On Suitcases: The most common choice for short trips. Learning how to pack a blazer in a suitcase is essential here. Pros: Convenient, avoids checked bag fees, and keeps your suit with you. Cons: Limited space requires a careful folding technique to prevent deep-set wrinkles. Ensure your carry-on meets airline size and weight limits. Hardshell cases offer better protection from compression than softshell bags.
Checked Luggage: Best for long trips with multiple outfits. Pros: Ample space for the suit and other essentials. Cons: Risk of lost luggage and rough handling by baggage handlers. If you check your suit, place it on top of softer items and use packing cubes to create a protective buffer.
How to Fold a Suit Jacket to Keep It Wrinkle-Free
- Pop one shoulder inside-out: Lay the jacket face-down. Take one shoulder (e.g., the right) and fold it back on itself, turning it inside-out. The inner lining of the shoulder should now be visible.
- Tuck the other shoulder in: Take the opposite shoulder (the left) and tuck it neatly into the inside-out right shoulder. The goal is to have the jacket’s outer fabric protected by the inner lining.
- Align and fold: Straighten the lapels and seams so they are perfectly aligned. You should now have a rectangular shape. Fold the jacket in half lengthwise, from bottom to top. This method, often called the shoulder-tuck, is a fantastic way how to fold a suit jacket for travel.
A common mistake is rushing the tuck, causing the lapels to bunch up. Take a moment to ensure all fabric is smooth before the final fold. This technique protects the exterior and padded shoulders, which are most prone to creasing.
How to Pack Suit Pants Without Creases
Your trousers deserve the same care as your blazer. The best method is to fold them along their natural creases. Hold the pants upside down by the cuffs and align the front and back creases of each leg. Lay them flat and fold them in half or in thirds, depending on the size of your suitcase. This preserves the sharp, pressed line down the front.
For placement, either lay the folded trousers flat at the bottom of your suitcase before other items, or place them on top of your packed clothes to minimize pressure. For wool trousers, this method is very effective. For cotton or linen blends that wrinkle easily, consider rolling them gently after folding to avoid a hard crease.
Shirt-Style Fold for Suit Jackets
When space is extremely limited, such as in a small backpack or a packed carry-on, the shirt-style fold is a practical alternative. This technique creates a very compact square, making it easier to fit the jacket into tight spaces.
- Lay the blazer face-down on a flat surface.
- Fold one arm and shoulder across the back to the center.
- Repeat with the other arm, folding it over the first one.
- Fold the entire jacket in half from the bottom hem to the collar.
Compared to the tucked-shoulder fold, this method may introduce more minor wrinkles, especially on the sleeves. However, it’s an excellent solution for how to fold a blazer when you prioritize saving space over perfect, wrinkle-free arrival. It’s particularly useful for more casual or wrinkle-resistant sport coats.
Avoiding Suit Wrinkles on the Road
- Unpack Immediately: The number one rule for wrinkle prevention is to unpack your blazer as soon as you arrive. Hang it on a proper hanger to let gravity work out any minor creases from transit.
- Use Tissue Paper: Placing a sheet of acid-free tissue paper between folds can significantly reduce friction, which is a primary cause of wrinkles. This is a classic tailor’s trick.
- Strategic Placement: Always place your folded suit jacket on top of other items in your suitcase. This prevents heavier items from pressing down and creating deep-set creases. Use softer items like t-shirts as a cushion underneath.
- Bathroom Steam Hack: After unpacking, hang your blazer in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam is a gentle and effective way to release travel-related wrinkles without an iron.
Folding with a Dry-Cleaning Bag for Extra Protection
One of the best-kept secrets for how to pack a sport coat is using a simple, thin plastic dry-cleaning bag. Before folding, lay the blazer flat inside the bag. Then, perform your chosen fold (like the shoulder-tuck). The plastic layer creates a cushion of air and reduces friction between the fabric surfaces, which dramatically minimizes creasing during transit. The slippery surface allows the fabric to shift slightly instead of being locked into a sharp fold.
For a more sustainable option, you can achieve a similar effect with reusable, lightweight garment sleeves made from silk or nylon. These sleeves are designed for travel and offer the same anti-friction benefit without the disposable plastic. This simple step is a game-changer for arriving with a ready-to-wear jacket.
Should You Hang Your Blazer After Travel?
Yes, absolutely. Hanging your blazer or sport coat immediately upon arrival is the most critical step in post-travel care. Don’t use a thin wire hanger; instead, use a proper wooden or contoured plastic hanger with wide, supportive shoulders to maintain the jacket’s shape. Let it air out for a few hours to release any moisture and odors from travel. For stubborn wrinkles, the hotel bathroom steam trick is highly effective: hang the jacket in the bathroom, turn the shower to its hottest setting, and close the door for 15-20 minutes. If creases persist or you need a perfectly crisp look, call the front desk to inquire about hotel pressing services. Only consider dry-cleaning if the garment is stained or has significant odors.
Packing Your Suit in a Suitcase: Full Walk-Through
- Base Layer: Place hard, heavy items like shoes (in shoe bags) and toiletry kits at the bottom of the suitcase near the wheels to provide a stable base.
- Trouser Placement: Lay your carefully folded suit pants on top of the base layer. Alternatively, you can lay them unfolded, draping the legs out of the suitcase, pack other items, and then fold the legs back over the top.
- Rolled Items: Fill in the gaps around the edges with rolled casual wear like t-shirts, knitwear, and socks. This creates a soft, even cushion for your jacket.
- Jacket is Last: Fold your blazer or suit jacket using the shoulder-tuck or another preferred method. Place it gently on top of the cushioned layer of clothing.
- Shirts & Accessories: Place folded dress shirts on top of the jacket. Tuck smaller accessories like ties and pocket squares into corners or accessory pouches.
- Compression Straps: Gently tighten any internal compression straps. The goal is to hold items in place, not to squash them. Over-tightening is a primary cause of wrinkles.
How to Pack Shirts and Accessories
For dress shirts, folding them as you would find them in a retail store is often best. Use a collar stay to keep the collar crisp. Rolling shirts can save space but may lead to more wrinkles than a neat fold. Place them flat on top of your folded blazer. Ties should be rolled gently, not folded, and placed inside a shoe or in a small corner to prevent creasing. Pocket squares can be folded flat and tucked inside the blazer’s breast pocket.
Belts can be coiled and placed inside a shirt collar to help it keep its shape, or laid out along the perimeter of the suitcase. Small, valuable items like cufflinks and tie bars should always be kept in a dedicated small pouch or box to prevent them from getting lost or scratching other items. Keeping these accessories organized ensures your entire look is sharp and ready to go.
Suit Packing Dos and Don’ts
- Do: Steam or press your suit before packing. You can’t remove existing wrinkles by folding them.
- Don’t: Over-stuff your suitcase. A tightly packed bag is the number one enemy of a wrinkle-free suit.
- Do: Use the inside-out shoulder tuck method. It protects the most visible parts of the jacket.
- Don’t: Fold your jacket against its natural seams or lapel roll. Work with the garment’s structure, not against it.
- Do: Unpack and hang your suit immediately upon arrival at your destination.
- Don’t: Check your suit if you can avoid it, especially if you need it right after landing. Always opt for carry-on when possible.
Additional Tips for Blazer Care While Traveling
Even with perfect packing, travel can take a toll. Keep a travel-sized fabric freshener spray to revive your blazer after a long day or a stuffy flight. For minor spills, a stain-remover pen can be a lifesaver; always test it on an inconspicuous area first. If you’re on an extended trip, don’t hesitate to use the hotel’s pressing or dry-cleaning services to keep your look sharp. For comprehensive care before or after your journey, remember that your local Men’s Wearhouse offers professional pressing and cleaning services to ensure your tailored clothing is always in top condition.