Q: I read your “How to Pack for a Weekend in Vegas” post (loved it) and was wondering how you guys get a suit jacket in a carry-on without it coming out like wrinkled tissue paper at the destination. What’s the best way to fold a suit jacket to minimize wrinkles when traveling? – Jason L.
A: Hey Jason, here’s the folding method we use when we pack our suit jackets for a trip:
Step 1: While holding the suit jacket upright, pop in one of the shoulders and pull it inside-out as seen below (some choose to pull the entire sleeve inside out as well, but this is not necessary):
Step 2: Tuck in the opposite shoulder into the one previously popped inside-out until the entire length of the lapel is lined up nicely.
Step 3: Fold the suit jacket vertically so that everything is lined up to the width of one shoulder.
Step 4: Fold the jacket horizontally in half so that the top of the shoulders is lined up with the bottom edge of the jacket.
There you have it! The suit jacket is now ready to pack for some jetsetting and should come out looking just as fresh at your destination as it did at your departure! Incidentally, this is also how your suit arrives fresh out of the Black Lapel box.
Got any questions about this folding method? or any other suit/style-related questions you’d like us to answer for our next “Ask a Black Lapel Stylist” post? Leave a comment below or send us your questions at concierge@blacklapel.com!
46 comments
sarah says:
Aug 20, 2012
that’s genius!!!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 20, 2012
Thanks Sarah! We thought so too!
Bo says:
Aug 20, 2012
Exactly how my suit jacket was folded when I opened up the box last week. So, so pleased with the fit (like a glove) and the overall service; I’ll definitely be taking these tips into account the next time I travel with my suit!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 20, 2012
Thanks BO! This comment really made our day! We’re so glad you’re pleased with the suit and experience!
Charles says:
Aug 20, 2012
Great tip… must share with my other road warrior coworkers.
Black Lapel says:
Aug 20, 2012
Glad you enjoyed it Charles!
DasMonx says:
Aug 21, 2012
I travel all the time and I see how wrong I have been in the past.
This is going to make my life so much easier.
Thanks Black Lapel!
Dan says:
Aug 21, 2012
Great. But what do you do about the dress shirt!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 21, 2012
Hey Dan, here’s a great method for folding and packing a dress shirt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI#t=1m43s
Sangey Norbu says:
Aug 21, 2012
Wonderful idea. How about the sleeves though? Do they stay unwrinkled too?
Interesting Articles | Pearltrees says:
Aug 21, 2012
[...] Articles < mattybme Get flash to fully experience Pearltrees Ask a Black Lapel Stylist: How to Fold a Suit Jacket When Traveling | The Compass <b>A: </b> Hey Jason, here’s the folding method we use when we pack our suit jackets [...]
Felix says:
Aug 21, 2012
A smart tip is to put a shirt or two in between the two folds when folding the jacket over. That way you avoid a sharp crease in the middle of your jacket when packing it in a full bag or briefcase.
Sebastian says:
Aug 21, 2012
I tried it today and it worked flawlessly. Amazing… thanks!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 21, 2012
Glad it worked for you Sebastian! Thank YOU for reading!
GoPadge says:
Aug 21, 2012
I’d probably slide my folded slacks or a couple of t-shirts inside the last fold of the jacket, just to add a bit of crease protection.
Adrian says:
Aug 21, 2012
Brilliant.
What’s the longest that we could store our jackets as so without fear of wrinkling it?
Black Lapel says:
Aug 21, 2012
Thanks Adrian! This method is probably better suited for packing your suit jacket during shorter trips. If you want to store your jacket for longer periods without it wrinkling, we recommend hanging your suit on a proper suit hanger in a cloth garment bag (with the zipper open to allow air). Hope that helps!
Michael says:
Dec 2, 2012
What’s the reason to allow air inside the garment bag?
Black Lapel says:
Dec 3, 2012
Hey Michael, keeping the garment bag open will allow the suit to air out and remove any moisture that may be damaging over time.
edward Evans says:
Aug 21, 2012
That’s the way I have been folding jackets for the past 40 years. Sales at J.Press Inc.
simon kenyon says:
Aug 21, 2012
My mother taught me that technique over thirty years ago. Over the years I’ve passed it on to lots of people.
Black Lapel says:
Aug 21, 2012
Simon, a mother knows best!
A Borrowed Flame » Blog Archive » How to fold a jacket when travelling says:
Aug 21, 2012
[...] This should come in handy for classical singers: How to fold a suit jacket when travelling. [...]
The Best Way To Fold And Pack A Suit Jacket | Lifehacker Australia says:
Aug 21, 2012
[...] Ask a Black Lapel Stylist: How to Fold a Suit Jacket When Traveling [The Compass] [...]
ModernistRealtor says:
Aug 21, 2012
It works extremely well – I have seen this tip eons ago in a book written by a butler (Stanley Auger?), and used it since. Thanks so much for bringing it to the surface again!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 22, 2012
No problem Modernist! Just passing along the good wisdom!
Let us know if you ever find the title of that book. We’d love to check it out!
Marshall says:
Aug 22, 2012
Barney Stinson would be proud. Suit up !!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 22, 2012
Haha agreed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT_vf5ioXXk
Jim Ternary says:
Aug 23, 2012
Please pack a shirt too!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 24, 2012
Hey Jim, we plan on it! For now, check out this excellent video on folding and packing a dress shirt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI#t=1m43s
Hope that helps!
Amit says:
Aug 23, 2012
I use this method but actually feed one sleeve through the other sleeve. Then, when its folded, its less likely to create wrinkles. I’ll also use the roll method using socks or shirts.
Black Lapel says:
Aug 24, 2012
Amit – Not a bad idea with the sleeves! We’ll have to give that a try!
Riley says:
Aug 26, 2012
I needed this last week. My jacket is totally wrinkled now. THanks for this post!
Black Lapel says:
Aug 27, 2012
Glad it was helpful Riley!
Shai says:
Jan 19, 2013
Brilliant. I was in Melbourne airport and with the summer found that wearing a jacket through the flight would be top uncomfortable. Did a quick online search search and found your site. Folded the jacket as you suggested and put it in my carry on.
Thank you very much.
Black Lapel says:
Jan 20, 2013
Glad we were able to help you out Shai!
Danielle says:
Jan 24, 2013
THANK YOU! This is a lifesaver especially with more than one suit.
Black Lapel says:
Jan 25, 2013
We’re real glad this helped Danielle!
matthew d lyons says:
Apr 22, 2013
Thanks for this. I have been using this technique for a while, but I wish that I had printed copies of these instructions to hand out on planes and trains. I cringe every time I see someone crumble up his suit jacket and place it in the overhead compartment. I am going to share this on my blog, in the hopes this tip will save a few wrinkled souls.
Black Lapel says:
Apr 22, 2013
Print copies of The Compass for every plane and train…we like the sound of that! Thanks for reading and sharing Matthew!
Ken says:
May 6, 2013
Thanks for the tips! What do I do with the sleeves though? Do I just leave it as is when I start folding 1 shoulder into the other?
Black Lapel says:
May 7, 2013
Ken, once you do the tuck, lay the jacket down flat and adjust the sleeves accordingly so they’re laying inside flat and neatly before you fold in half. Hope that helps!
Nic says:
May 14, 2013
What about if a suit jacket doesn’t have shoulder pads? I find it much harder to do and can’t seem to get it right.
Black Lapel says:
May 14, 2013
Nic, it may be a bit trickier to do with a suit jacket that doesn’t have shoulder pads (and a little flimsier), but the method is the same–pull one shoulder inside out (in your case, use your hand for extra support in lieu of the shoulder pad) and slip the other shoulder into it until the entire length of the lapel is lined up. Folding the suit in half should also help keep it place. Hope that helps!
Jordan says:
May 14, 2013
A while back I purchased a roll-up carry on suitcase for keeping clothes wrinkle free on short trips – would it be preferrable to pack the suit jacket as outlined here, or is rolling it in my skyroll an okay option?
Black Lapel says:
May 14, 2013
We prefer the method outline here as it not only prevents wrinkles, but is extremely efficient and easy to do. However, if a roll-up carry on suitcase works keeps your suit wrinkle-free, there’s no reason why you can’t opt for it on those shorter trips.