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A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO WRINKLE-FREE PACKING

INTRO

Welcome to the fold, your ultimate guide to wrinkle-free packing! It's chock-full of animated illustrations, diagrams, and easy packing secrets to keep your clothes from wrinkling no matter how far your travels take you or what type of luggage you use.

Also included are bonus tips and travel hacks for getting out rogue wrinkles, for those rare times when they simply couldn't be avoided.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND WRINKLES

Wrinkles happen, and most of the time it’s improper washer and/or dryer settings that are the culprits. But when it comes to packing and traveling, there are much different forces at hand to blame. Creases and folds are just wrinkles waiting to happen. The next time you're packing for a trip, remember this handy formula to avoid wrinkled clothing:

creases plus time plus space times gravity equals wrinkles

PACKING TECHNIQUE REPORT CARDS

There are three main wrinkle-free packing techniques, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, outlined and scored below. Choose your method wisely according to the size of your luggage and types of clothing you'll be packing.

FOLDING

Good old-fashioned folding can still be useful in certain circumstances, but remember that wrinkles are essentially tiny folds and the more folds you have, the more wrinkles you’ll end up with. Using tissue paper and/or plastic bags –like from the dry cleaner– between layers reduces static and therefore wrinkles, but unless there are a few layers of clothing in the middle to act as padding, you’ll still end up with some creases. This technique is best for when you don’t have to pack a lot of clothes into one bag.
Best suited for use:
when maximizing space isn't a priority.

Suggested clothing:
Wrinkle-resistant garments.
t-shirt
C+


TIGHT ROLLING

Rolling your clothes up is a decent way to save space and reduce the amount of wrinkling for certain types of clothing. The trick to this method is that the items need to be tightly rolled and remain taut in order to stay wrinkle-free. When maximizing space is a priority and you aren’t packing a lot of formal wear, this is the way to go.
Suggested clothing:
Best for casual pieces and
fabrics like jeans, pants,
cottom T-shirts, and some tops.
rolled clothes
B+


BUNDLE WRAPPING

Bundle wrapping, also referred to as bundle rolling or just bundling, is currently the best way to pack clothes and prevent wrinkles, but it doesn’t work well in smaller, compressed spaces or luggage. Bundle wrapping is part strategically folding and part wrapping; the key lies in the order in which you layer your clothes before bundling. Keep items that are the least wrinkle-resistant on the outside, wrapped around a core of wrinkle-resistant items like swimsuits, socks, and underwear. When done correctly, bundle wrapping is the best way to keep your clothes from wrinkling when packed.
Suggested clothing:
Anything and everything.
wrapped bundle of clothes
A
HOW TO PACK A SUIT AND KEEP IT WRINKLE FREE

There are a few different methods to packing a suit. One is to pack it in a suitcase, one is to use a tri-fold garment bag, and another uses a hanging garment bag. This section will cover all of the above; how to pack a suit in a suitcase using the bundling approach, how to pack a suit in a suitcase with a suiter - both the tri-fold and rod styles - and how to hang a suit in a garmet bag so that the pants don't fall.

IN A SUITCASE
If you think that it's impossible or downright foolish to pack a suit in a suitcase, think again. The best technique to use when packing a suit in a suitcase is bundle wrapping, but if you're just looking to pack a nice suit jacket, try out this special type of fold.

HANGING IN A GARMENT BAG
It isn't hard to put a suit in a garment bag; it is hard to keep the dress pants from slipping off the hanger and ending up in a wrinkled mess at the bottom of the bag. Enter the Savile Row fold; named after the legendary street in Mayfair, central London known for its traditional bespoke tailoring for men. Known as the "golden mile of tailoring," Savile Row was built between 1731 and 1735. Use the Savile Row fold for any pants that you hang, in a garment bag or your closet.

USING A SUITER
Some carry-ons and most suitcases come with a tri-fold garmet suiter, which neatly organizes and folds your suit around a padded bar to help protect against wrinkles. Some tri-fold suiters are removable and can be hung once you've reached your destination. No matter which type of garment suiter is included in your language, always keep your suit enveloped in tissue paper or a plastic dry cleaner bag to help reduce static and fight wrinkling. For removable tri-fold suiters, use the Savile Row fold to keep the pants from falling down when hung.
THE PERFECT PACK

No matter what packing method you choose, there are a few tips and general rules to follow, as well as s ome recommended accessories that are specially designed to help maximize the space in your luggage and eliminate wrinkles.

DOs
  • Use a compression sack or packing cube to keep rolled clothing tight. These are necesities for the bundle wrapping method.
  • Clothing is 8% air. Pack your bag and let it settle overnight to maximize your space and get stubborn zippers to close with ease.
DON'Ts
  • Never fold and stack individually! Folding causes creases and stacking wastes space.
  • Don't use folding boards. They are just a more expensive way to fold and stack.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
  • Using tissue paper and/or plastic bags (like the ones dry cleaners use). They reduce friction, and therefore wrinkling, but they do not protect against creasing.
PACK LIKE A PRO
7 TRAVEL HACKS TO SET WRINKLED CLOTHING STRAIGHT

Sometimes, even when every precaution imaginable is taken, you may still end up with wrinkles in your clothes. Below are packing hacks, tips, and tricks to keep in mind the next time you’re on the road and wrinkles happen.


1
Pack a travel iron. Don’t have a travel iron? Flat irons make great emergency irons, too!

2
When you reach your destination, hang your clothes immediately. That's why hotel closets always come equipped with built-in hangers.

3
Pack a travel-sized bottle of wrinkle release spray - a must for frequent travelers.

4
For extra wrinkled clothes, hang them in the bathroom and let steam from a hot shower soften the wrinkling. This method works but takes a while. If you have wrinkle release spray, spraying clothes before hanging them speeds up the process.

5
Dampen the wrinkled area, hang it up and let it air dry, or use a hair dryer to blow it dry.

6
Toss it in the dryer! Some hotels offer courtesy washer and dryer services. If not, a 15-minute low-heat tumble at the nearest laundromat should suffice. Add an ice cube or a damp washcloth for a stronger effect.

7
Lay a warm, damp towel flat on top of the wrinkled garment and press it out with your hands or a shoe to smooth out wrinkles.