Buzz
Learn effective techniques for saving space and keeping your suit wrinkle-free while traveling
Whether you're attending a formal event or going on a business trip, packing a suit can be a challenge. Suits tend to be bulky and prone to wrinkles, but with the right folding methods, you can easily pack them without causing damage. Here’s how to pack your suit smartly without compromising space or style.
Important Tips
- Lay your suit jacket on a flat surface, then fold the right and left sleeves over the back. Fold the jacket lengthwise, matching the bottom with the collar.
- Alternatively, tuck the right sleeve inside out and fold the left sleeve over the back. Then fold the jacket into thirds lengthwise for a compact fit.
- For the trousers, fold one leg over the other. Place the jacket in the center, then fold the bottom of the pants a third of the way up. Finally, fold the top of the pants down to complete the fold.
Procedure
Executing a Classic Suit Fold
Place your suit jacket face down on a flat surface. Position the jacket with its backside facing up and ensure the bottom of the jacket is pointing toward you.
Fold the left side of the jacket toward the center. Take the left side of the jacket and fold it toward the right, allowing the sleeve to slightly overlap the middle of the suit. Make sure the lapel faces upward and smooth out any wrinkles in the arm to prevent creases when folding further.
Fold the right side of the jacket in the same manner. Now, fold the right side of the jacket to the left, just like you did with the left side. Ensure that the arms overlap slightly and that both lapels align parallel to each other.
Fold the jacket in half along its length. Take the bottom of the jacket and fold it up to align with the top near the collar. With your hand under the jacket, flip it over. The suit should now be folded into a neat, compact square with the lapel facing upward.
Inverting One Shoulder for a Neat Fold
Place your suit jacket with the back facing up on a flat surface. Turn the jacket so that its backside is facing upward. A flat surface like a table or ironing board works best for folding your jacket.
Fold the left shoulder towards the center. Take the left shoulder and fold it towards the middle of the suit, exposing the front lapel. Smooth out the arm so it aligns perfectly with the lapel’s side.
Invert the right shoulder inside-out. Fold the right shoulder and turn it inside-out, revealing the inner side of the jacket at the back.
Fit the left shoulder into the right one. Insert the left side of the jacket into the inside-out right shoulder, ensuring that the entire length of the lapel aligns perfectly.
Fold the top and bottom parts of the jacket. Begin by folding the top half of the suit jacket toward the center, then fold the bottom part over the top. The result should be a compact, flat square that can easily fit into your suitcase.
Folding with a Dry Cleaning Bag
Hang your jacket on a sturdy hanger and place it inside a dry cleaning bag. Slide the jacket into the dry cleaning bag, ensuring the top of the hanger fits through the bag's opening. The hanger hook can now serve as a handle, making it easier to carry your suit.
- Opt for a basic plastic dry cleaning bag or a more premium fabric one, depending on your preference.
Fold the jacket in half. Take the bottom of the jacket and fold it up to meet the collar. Avoid pressing the suit to prevent creases, but be sure to remove any excess air from the dry cleaning bag to prevent wrinkles.
Place the folded jacket in your suitcase. After neatly folding your jacket in half, simply place it in your suitcase. This method is perfect when you're in a rush and need a quick solution for packing your suit.
Rolling Your Suit Jacket for Packing
Hold your jacket with the back facing outward. Grasp the jacket by the shoulders, ensuring that the back of the jacket is pointing toward you.
Invert one side of the jacket. Fold one side of the jacket inward and inside out, so the inner part of the front is now visible to you.
Insert the other side into the inside-out portion. Fold the other side of the jacket backward and slip it into the inside-out section. Push it in as much as possible to make the jacket as compact as possible.
Roll a shirt and place it in the jacket's shoulder. Take a t-shirt, fold both sleeves toward the center, then roll it up tightly. The rolled-up shirt will help stabilize the jacket and reduce wrinkles. Once rolled, tuck it into the shoulder of the jacket.
Roll your suit up around the shirt. Take hold of the suit near the rolled-up t-shirt and begin rolling it lengthwise. The suit should enclose the shirt as you roll it into a cylindrical shape. Once you finish, you can place it in your suitcase.
Packing Your Pants
Hold your pants upside down and locate the natural crease. When holding the pants upside down, feel for the natural fold along the fabric to guide where the pants crease.
Press the pants along their natural crease. Lay the pants flat on a surface, ensuring they align with the natural crease. Press down to make one leg lie smoothly on top of the other.
Place your suit jacket on top of the pants. To maximize space, place your folded suit jacket over the pants. Then, continue folding the pants around the suit for a compact, space-efficient bundle.
Fold the pants up by one-third. Take the bottom of the pants and fold it upwards about one-third of the length toward the waistband. The folded part of the pants should cover your rolled-up suit jacket.
Fold the pants to the waistline. Fold the pants again, bringing the bottom edge up to align with the waistband. When done properly, the pants should form a small, compact square with the suit jacket tucked neatly inside.
