How to pack like a pro: roll some clothes, fold others

By John Walton, August 15 2012
How to pack like a pro: roll some clothes, fold others

Since the suitcase was invented (and certainly since business travellers have tried to squeeze everything they need into a carry-on sized one), packing to avoid wrinkles has been top of the list.

Rolling certain types of clothes rather than folding them helps to save space in your luggage -- and also helps to avoid wrinkles and creasing.

Roll t-shirts, underwear, socks, ties and anything that doesn't need ironing. But don't roll suits, trousers, shirts or anything that needs ironing, because it'll crease.

Pack rolled socks and underwear inside shoes to save on space and to help shoes keep their shape, and make sure the shoes are at the bottom end of a wheeled bag.

When folding suit jackets and trousers, put a rolled-up t-shirt on the inside corner of the fold to turn the sharp, wrinkle-prone fold into a less wrinkled curve around the shape of the rolled-up t-shirt.

Fold suit jackets "backwards" to avoid wrinkles. Holding the jacket with the front away from you, turn the shoulder pads back towards you, then fold the suit  into your bag so that the inner lining is facing outwards.

Put rolled clothes in the suitcase after folded shirts, suit jackets and trousers, around the outside of your case, where the folded clothes aren't taking up as much room.

What's your favourite tip for keeping your clothes presentable when you travel? Drop us a comment below or tweet us at @AusBT.

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John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

14 Aug 2012

Total posts 3

I pack carefully folded things in plastic or cloth bags (the type used for storing handbags and nice shoes). No idea how this keeps wrinkles at bay, but it does. And increasingly, if it wrinkles, it stays home. Life is short. Bugger ironing. 

sgb
sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

30 Nov 2015

Total posts 730

Even as a leisure traveller as opposed to Business trips, I pack carefully, but usually rely on a decent iron and ironing board, if my hotel room is of decent size I leave it up for the duration of my stay. Once stayed at the Hilton in Cologne for two weeks and housekeeping after the second day was told to keep the ironing board and iron out, and they did from that moment on.

sgb
sgb

Emirates Airlines - Skywards

30 Nov 2015

Total posts 730

I find hard shell suit cases the best.


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