The tickets are booked and departure is near, yet the luggage remains a headache. Let us admit it: the suitcase is the bane of every modern man. Although a partner often lends a hand, a gentleman must be ready for “crisis situations” when he is on his own. Proper packing is essential for anyone who would rather not find his clothes creased or snagged. For a holiday or a business trip with style in mind, here are a few tips that ensure clothes arrive intact.
1. How is the right travel case chosen?
How often has an old, oversized suitcase been kept on the grounds that it “still works”? A big suitcase, however, does not guarantee uncrumpled clothes on arrival. The first decision should be clear: bag or suitcase, large or small, leather or hard-shell. For a trip of a few days, a duffle bag that fits as hand luggage is the answer. Once the bag or case is chosen, the sections below show how to make the most of the space. Excess space in a suitcase is the enemy of clothes: the more room they have to move, the worse they crease.
2. Which versatile clothes go into the suitcase for a chic result?
As we wrote recently about the capsule wardrobe, versatility means essential clothes, limited in number but versatile in colour, that combine into a large number of distinct outfits. That way, the space in the suitcase is optimised, the traveller travels light and still looks chic in any situation. A versatile wardrobe is, at heart, a practical one. Three shirts, two pairs of trousers and a sport jacket can easily cover a week of different outfits.
3. Which fabrics crease least in a suitcase?
Few things are more frustrating than a hotel with no iron to offer. Better to avoid the predicament altogether. As far as possible, then, clothes should be in fabrics that need no ironing. The most recommended natural fibres are linen, denim and, above all, wool. There are 100% natural wools that crease little or not at all. For a quick shopping trip before departure, labels reading non-iron or wrinkle-free are the ones to look for.
4. How is a suitcase packed so that nothing crumples?
There is an order of precedence. The bulkiest pieces, such as the sport jacket, the casual jacket and the trousers, are folded first. That gives a clearer sense of the space left. Ideally, sheets of paper between different fabrics add extra protection. The remaining gaps are perfect for shoes: one at a time, each in its own cloth bag. Although cedar shoe trees are recommended, plastic ones are lighter for travel. Next, shirts are rolled rather than folded, so that they do not crease at all. Finally, underwear can be tucked into whatever gaps remain. The spaces around the clothes must be filled, so that nothing rubs or crumples.
5. How can creased clothes be smoothed without an iron?
If, despite all these tips, creases still appear on the jacket, a well-known trick is to hang the suit in the bathroom. The steam from the shower will relax the cloth naturally. The same works for other clothes, in the absence of a steamer or an iron.
There are many variables at play, but a little practice goes a long way. A well-prepared journey begins with a well-packed suitcase. Style is never left at home.
