So, you are heading off on that overseas business trip, long weekend away, meeting the future in-laws, or for just a short break, and the big challenge even before you set off and leave your house is...
How do I pack my clothes to avoid creases?
With the shorter break options, we are travelling light and utilising carry-on luggage. In particular we are using more softer style bags, Leather holdalls, Backpack styles, etc. (see our article on Why we love carry on bags for Air Travel - Here) The nightmare scenario, particularly if you are on a business trip, and must make that important client meeting impression, is that you arrive at your destination hotel, apartment, or lodgings, open your bag, take out your clothes and woah… your clothes look more akin to a jumble sale bag of rags.
Very often this scenario can be eliminated by following a few simple steps when packing your bag.
The very first thing to consider, particularly if you do or are planning to take a lot of trips is….
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Buy clothes that do not or cannot crease.
Now, we are not saying that you need to compile your wardrobe from those 1970’s polyester material suits and garments. If you were to wear these items today chances are you will either, be a target for the fashion police or wipe out everybody in the near vicinity with bursts of static electricity as you shuffle along airport lounges.
There are clothes today that offer crease free properties by their very nature. For example, Merino wools (great performance, wicking, odour elimination) other Wool blends, and Denims (yes, great to travel in particularly if have an element of spandex for stretch) are all good material options.
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If you pack creased clothes…..
Guess what Sherlock… You will unpack creased clothes. It is not rocket science. If, as you are packing, you actually fold creases in to your garments, then by the time you reach your destination your shirts, blouses etc will have had enough time to form folds and creases so sharp that the crease will put many a sushi chefs’ knives to shame.
Ok, we hear you, is there is a way to avoid this?…. Yes..
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Roll your Clothes
In our opinion Rolling is best. By rolling your clothes for packing you will keep them crease free. The items will be tightly rolled without any hard creases. However, there is one caveat to this, and that is fold your garments along any seams, then like the dapper suave cat you are… smooooth out any crease and then roll (the garment, not you)
If you miss out the vital step of smoothing then see point 2 above
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I am on a Business trip How do I pack a Jacket or Formal dress without creasing it?
If You want to make an impression, as stylish as a Selena Gomez or James Bond then Bundle pack your clothes. This is a technique that many Business travellers use.
Basically, if you need to pack a formal Jacket or dress you Wrap this item around your already rolled garments as in step 3. The idea behind encompassing your rolled clothes with your jacket/dress allows for the garment to hold a shape without pressing any form or crease into it
One Challenge you will face (We do) is How Do you pack shoes for travel to stop them creasing or dirtying your clothes. We found for you, what is probably the best leather travel bag, that has a seperate shoe compartment that gets around this problem.
Check out our recommended leather travel Bag Here
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Pack Light
One of the most common problems travellers face is overpacking. By taking too many items of clothing, and crushing them into the available bag space you really are asking for clothes to be creased. Especially if you also add in other items such as toiletries, extra footwear, Laptop, etc.
A little forward planning on your trip duration, the nature of the trip (Business or Social) can determine how and what you pack. Combine outfits. For example a pair of trousers can be worn with various tops and styles.
Most Hotels/Apartments will have toiletries as a courtesy and remember, the world is a different place to what is was 50 years ago. Virtually anywhere you go today you can buy essentials. The residents do!
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You are at your Destination and your clothes have creases, What Can You Do?
Unfortunately, it is a fact of travel life that despite your best pre trip preparations in packing you will still have some garments that will show some element of a wrinkle or crease. There are some things that you can do to remedy the situation, without resorting to Hotel Housekeeping or goodness forbid breaking out the Iron yourself.
a/ Before heading for the Bar, the Beach or Sightseeing, take 5 minutes to unpack and hang your clothes up. This hopefully will allow any superficial wrinkling/creasing to drop out
b/ In the time it takes you to go through the frustrations of the Hotel Room/Property TV Internet settings and channel availability you can hang your clothing in the bathroom and turn on a hot shower. The resultant steam from the shower will remove the creases.
Oh, and unless you are into the ‘wet look’ only hang your clothing in the bathroom, NOT the shower itself
c/ Dampen lightly any creases with a damp towel and leave hanging to dry out
d/ If staying in an AIRBNB VRBO apartment style of property and there is a washer dryer in the premises then place your creased items in the dryer together with a damp towel. Turn on the dryer at a medium heat setting for about 15 minutes.
This should remove any creases then hang up your garments. Do not put the dryer on a High setting or longer than 15 minutes otherwise your clothes will only fit an Action Figure/Barbie doll.
If you are looking to solve the challenge in How to pack shoes so they dont crease your clothes check our article on the very subject.
We hope you enjoyed this article and Happy Travels.
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