Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Determining when you need a garment bag
• Part 2 of 3: Packing the garment bag
• Part 3 of 3: Unpacking the garment bag when you arrive
• Tips

A garment bag is a long bag with a zipper and a hanger in which travelers can neatly carry items of clothing such as suits, coats and dresses. Because you can fold the bag in half or in three, you can carry it very easily. You can take several items of clothing with you in a garment bag, and if you pack it properly, your clothing will be protected and will arrive at your destination relatively wrinkle-free.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Determining when you need a garment bag

1. Take a close look at your itinerary. Normally you use a garment bag to take neat or business clothes with you without wrinkles. Make a list of the different occasions you should attend to make sure you have everything you need with you.
   • You usually do not need to bring casual clothes in a garment bag. Just fold that neatly in your suitcase.
2. Put as little as possible in the garment bag. A garment bag can be very inconvenient, and it is not the most efficient way to carry clothes. If your clothes can be folded in your suitcase or carry-on, rather put it there.
   • Shirts, ties and accessories do not have to be hung in the garment bag.
   • Smart trousers, such as kakis, can usually also be folded in the suitcase.
   • If possible, only put in clothes that are really not allowed to wrinkle.
3. Use a garment bag when you go on a business trip. The best opportunity to use a garment bag is when you are going on a short trip, when most of the clothing you bring with you is primarily intended for business meetings.
   • Since most garment bags are limited in volume, they are ideal for trips of a few days where you don't need as many different clothes.
   • If you are going on a longer trip that combines business with vacation, you can use both a garment bag and a normal suitcase for your clothes.
4. Ask a professional to help you pack your wedding dress. If you are going to a formal event, such as a wedding or an award ceremony, your dress may be too large or lavishly decorated to fit in a regular garment bag. Take a suitcase to the bridal shop and have it professionally packed there.
   • If you use a suitcase that can be taken as hand luggage, you can keep an eye on your special garment all the time.
   • Some planes have a special cupboard where flight attendants hang their coats, which you may be allowed to use to store your garment bag, but you can't count on that. A briefcase as hand luggage is safer.
   • You may need to re-dry your dress when you arrive at your destination.

Part 2 of 3: Packing the garment bag

1. Wash and iron the clothes before putting them in the garment bag. If it is clothes that need to be steamed, do it in time so that it is ready when you travel.
   • Start with clean, ironed clothes and you'll have less work when you arrive at your destination.
   • Before you pack it, check that all zippers are working properly and that no buttons are missing, then you don't have to fix it at your destination.
2. Tuck tissue paper into the sleeves and legs of the garments to keep them in shape and wrinkle less.
   • White tissue paper is best, in case your garment bag gets wet. Colored tissue paper can stain your clothes.
3. Use your itinerary to determine the order of packing. Check your schedule with all the agenda items, and put clothes you won't need until later in your trip in the back of the cover, and things you need earlier in the front.
   • This step avoids having to rummage behind pieces of clothing to find what you need, which can cause the front things to wrinkle.
4. Hang the clothes on the hangers. Some clothing covers already contain hangers, but with other types you have to put hangers in them yourself. If you are using your own hangers, it is best to use lightweight iron wire hangers, which take up less space than wooden or plastic hangers.
   • Save space by hanging several items of clothing over a hanger. For example, hang your shirt under your jacket, with the sleeves of the shirt tucked into the sleeves of the jacket. Hang a belt or scarf over the hanger.
   • Use a trouser hanger to clamp pants or skirts. The less the garment can move, the less it will wrinkle.
5. Use the ribbons that come in neat garments to tie them to the hangers. This prevents the fabric from stretching due to the weight of the clothing. This is especially important with dresses that are embroidered with rhinestones, beads or other heavy objects.
6. Close all zippers and buttons on the garments. This way your clothes stay in good shape and you prevent wrinkles. Close the zippers, buttons and snaps.
7. Place a dry cleaner plastic bag over each hanger. Plastic prevents clothes from wrinkling because it cannot rub together.
8. Use the bags on the inside. Place your underwear, cosmetics, tissues or other small items in the pockets on the inside of the garment bag.
   • If you also bring another suitcase or hand luggage, you can put the smaller items in there.
   • This step prevents smaller objects from wrinkling the clothes on the hangers.
9. Put your shoes in a cotton shoe bag or plastic grocery bag. Save space by keeping your socks in your shoes. Tuck the shoes into the bottom of the garment bag.
   • It is important to put the shoes in a bag so that no dirt or shoe polish can get on your clothes.
10. Close your garment bag. Most clothing covers are made in such a way that they can be worn as a bag. Depending on the cover, you can fold it in half or in three. Use the zippers or buckles to close the cover. It now looks like some kind of briefcase.
    • Pay attention when you first open the cover so that you know how it works and how to fold it when it is full.
    • Consider practicing folding the cover before putting clothes in it. If you don't fold or fasten it properly, you can wrinkle your clothes.
11. Use a bag from the dry cleaner. Even if you have a protective cover in your closet that is not intended to be carried as a suitcase, you can still use it when you travel. Close the cover and fold it in three so that it fits snugly in your suitcase.
    • Do not use a soft travel bag. A suitcase with sturdy sides protects your clothes better.
    • Pack enough so that the garment bag cannot shift, but do not overload it so that your clothes are crushed.
    • Pack the garment bag last so that the weight of the other clothing does not wrinkle your suit or dress.

Part 3 of 3: Unpacking the garment bag when you arrive

1. Remove the clothes from the cover as soon as possible. When you arrive at your destination, hang the clothes in the closet so that wrinkles can settle out.
2. Iron the clothes if necessary. Many hotels have ironing boards and irons that you can use for free. If the clothes need to be ironed, do everything at once immediately, so you don't have to think about it later.
   • Read the labels in your clothing carefully and set the temperature of the iron correctly.
   • First, iron on an inconspicuous area, such as the bottom edge of your shirt, in case the iron is too hot.
   • Avoid ironing irreplaceable items, such as evening dresses. Due to the delicate fabrics, they usually cannot be ironed.
3. Steam the clothes. One way to remove wrinkles from your clothes is to use warm steam. Hanging your clothes in the bathroom while taking a hot shower can help reduce wrinkles. You can also slightly dampen the garment with a wet washcloth and blow it dry with the hair dryer.
   • Natural fibers absorb moisture, so this works well with silk, wool, cotton and other natural materials.
   • Synthetic fabrics such as rayon or polyester do not absorb moisture, so you cannot steam them to remove wrinkles.
4. Remove any fluff. Use a lint roller to remove any dust or lint from your clothes.

Tips

• Some larger garment bags have wheels that make them easier to take with you. But the large, heavy covers may be too big to carry as hand luggage, so you need to check them in. For this reason, the larger garment covers are made of a stronger material than the lightweight covers.