Hello Savvy travelers,
We will be going to a wedding in NY and I need to pack a couple of formal dresses for the occasion.
What's the best way to pack my dresses in a carry-on, so they don't arrive totally wrinkled?
I know how to pack for my transatlantic trips but I've not packed formal wear for such trips.
One of my dresses is a delicate synthetic lace plus chiffon-like fabric. The second dress is a cotton blend dress.
Thank you!
Priscilla
The best tip I've heard is to fold them in that filmy dry cleaning plastic.
....fold them in that filmy dry cleaning plastic.
I'll echo that. My husband packed dry-cleaning bags around a fair amount of business suits when he traveled. From my own experience, synthetics can often shake wrinkles when hung in the bathroom while taking a steamy shower. Cotton is a bigger issue: you may have to iron it. NY hotels should provide an iron and board.
Or gently roll them in that filmy dry cleaning plastic.
Put heavy objects, such as toiletries, shoes, in the bottom of the bag.
Make sure toiletries are in zip lock bags (TSA wants you to do this anyway, as you know), so no liquids can spill and get on the dresses.
Perfumes are especially bad about leaking, so I might not take any.
Put the two rolled up dresses on top of everything else, so nothing crushes and creases them from above.
Have a great time! Sounds like fun!
Thanks Christi, Kathi and Rebecca!
I will use the dry cleaning plastic bags and hope for the best. Worse case scenario, I can steam in shower or iron out.
I enjoy going to weddings because they are such happy occasions! ;-)
Happy travels!
But.................
Be very careful that the dry cleaning bag does not have some sort of printed message/logo, etc. on it. If your carry-on winds up getting separated from you (you wind up being forced to check it for some reason or another) and if the bag winds up sitting in the sun for just a bit or being placed in or next to a warm engine part within the airplane, the logo can melt off the plastic bag, either on to your dress or a neighboring item within your bag. I know from experience....not a pleasant surprise!
I would personally wrap the dress(es) in plain white tissue paper, which would also provide a bit more cushion within the carry-on.
If you have a long, light garment bag (similar to something you might purchase at The Container Store), you could put your dress into that and then fold that within your bag....maybe layering a few sheets of tissue paper within the garment bag before you fold it. Then once you land, you could take that garment bag out of your carry-on and just carry it separately (with either just one fold to keep it from dragging) or just hold your hand over your shoulder as you hold the bag against your back (I hope that makes sense)....that way it would reduce the time scrunched up within your carry on and will allow more time for the wrinkles to fall out.
Sometimes I have even used skirt hangers (the light plastic ones ones) to clip the shoulders of a dress (cushion with some tissue paper) vs. using a traditional hanger that might make point marks in the sleeves. And I always use baggie type ties to hold hangers together, so one does not go rogue and slip down to damage another garment.
And, if you are really lucky with a very nice flight attendant, maybe you could remove the two dresses from your bag (assuming with some sort of protective bag) and have them hung up during the flight (works better if in business class or at least the upgraded coach section), but may even work in basic coach if you ask very kindly and luck up with a very kind attendant.
May I suggest Federal Express 2 day air?
Invest in a travel steamer. You can buy one through Amazon or Sharper Image. Any wrinkles will disappear nicely.
Maggie,
Thanks for the tip to avoid plastic bags with colored logos! Our cleaner uses clear bags without logos, so I'm set.
I like the idea of placing the dresses in a light garment bag. I actually have one, so will do what you suggested.
David, thanks for your suggestion but I'd rather take the dresses with me! ;-)
Alan, what a great idea, thanks!
I used the tissue paper technique, putting paper between every layer and fold of the garment.
Thanks Zoe!
I've used tissue paper in the past and it worked out fairly well.
Depending on where the wedding is and how long you arrive before it, what about just having them pressed at a cleaners upon arrival? Pack them carefully as you feel they are delicate, but a professional press will ensure they are wedding worthy.
