Is it ok to fold a suit jacket

Q: Will folding a suit ruin it?

Folding a suit incorrectly can actually cause damage. We get travelers coming in to see us relatively frequently,” says Baker-Collingwood. They present their badly folded suits and damage has been done to the lapels and stitching.

Our experts’ guide to pack-n-go travel

Once a standard travel accessory, the garment bag has been replaced by the more efficient carry-on. Making the most of limited packing space is a skill that saves you time and keeps your suit fresh and pressed. Bonus point: You skip the baggage claim and gain time to prepare for the big meeting. Our experts share six simple steps for packing your suit like a jet-setter.

Interested in expanding your wardrobe? Explore our men’s suit collection.

STEP 1
Lay suit face down on a flat surface.

STEP 2
Fold left shoulder back.

STEP 3
Turn right shoulder inside out, then tuck left shoulder into the right.

STEP 4
Fold in half lengthwise and then fold horizontally.

STEP 5
Place folded jacket in center of outstretched trousers.

STEP 6
Fold trouser bottoms over jacket and repeat with top of trousers.

An Expert Tip

Using the protective plastic cover from your dry cleaning, place your folded jacket (after step 5) in the top of the bag where the hangers are typically gathered. Lay this on top of the outstretched trousers. The plastic will keep the fabric from rubbing against itself and causing wrinkles.

in: Clothing, Featured, Style

• December 21, 2021 • Last updated: December 15, 2022

If you’re traveling with a suit, your best bet in getting it to your destination without it becoming wrinkled is to use a garment bag. But that means bringing a garment bag in addition to the other bag or suitcase you’re schlepping. If you want to travel light and bring fewer bags, it is possible to fold a suit and put it in a suitcase or weekend bag without it getting too mussed up.

The above method creates a compact packet consisting of your suit jacket and trousers. Popping the jacket’s shoulders inside out causes the jacket to turn inside out which protects the outside fabric from getting too wrinkled. Folding the pants over the folded jacket reduces the risk of your pants getting wrinkled and creased.

Combine the above method with our technique on folding a dress shirt for packing and the Ranger roll for your other clothes and you’ve set yourself up for compact, tidy, and wrinkle-free travel.

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Will folding a suit ruin it?

Folding a suit incorrectly can actually cause damage. “We get travelers coming in to see us relatively frequently,” says Baker-Collingwood. “They present their badly folded suits and damage has been done to the lapels and stitching.

Can you roll a suit for travel?

You can easily roll up your suit for compact, efficient travel without the need for any additional travel luggage. And that's kind of the point here anyway. The secret to the rolling technique is to make sure your suit is folded in half across all its natural seams and with its sleeves as flat as can be.