8 Garment Bags That Will Keep Dresses and Suits Wrinkle-Free
On most trips, you can simply roll a few slip dresses into your suitcase and rest assured they'll be ready to wear upon arrival, but other occasions require a more thoughtful packing strategy. you can't just toss an evening gown, bridesmaid dress, or suit in your luggage and expect it to remain wrinkle-free. The solution is simple: a protective, high-quality garment bag you can trust to keep special clothing items as stain- and crease-free as they were when you packed them.
There are plenty of options on the market, so to help narrow down a list of only the best garment bags, we asked frequent travelers for their recommendations. Whether you're traveling to your best friend's destination wedding or prepping for your own honeymoon, these are the tried-and-true garment bags that will keep your favorite pieces of clothing wrinkle-free and in tip-top shape.
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Calpak Compakt large garment bag
Several Condé Nast Traveler editors are big fans of Calpak luggage, and the large garment bag's thoughtful design illustrates why: It's made of water-resistant nylon and is collapsible thanks to its tri-fold design, making it easy to pack right in your suitcase. Take it from a bride herself—Traveler contributor Erika Owen recently got married in Iceland and swears by this one. She says of the bag: “The pockets were so handy and allowed me to keep all of my tiny wedding essentials (hair pins, deodorant, jewelry) safe."
OOO Traveling garment bag
Made of polyester, the OOO Traveling garment bag is super lightweight at just 0.8 ounces and has a full-length center zip closure that keeps your nicer items in pristine condition. Alison Bruhn, stylist and co-founder of The Style That Binds Us, likes that the garment bag can be folded inside a suitcase or folded in three sections and slipped over the retractable handle of your luggage.
Away garment bag
When we asked travel experts to share their favorite garment bag, the response we heard most often was Away's garment bag. Lexie Alford, the youngest recorded person to travel to every country, has definitely picked up plenty of packing tips on her travels. She likes this garment bag from Away specifically because of how it can be easily strapped to her carry-on luggage. “Checking garment bags can be a pain at the airport and if you have expensive pieces,” she says. “It's great for peace of mind to keep them with you during long travel days.”
Fashion writer and Traveler contributor Samantha Crompton Merinder was a bride herself this year and also recommends this one. She says it fits three full-length dresses and that the exterior pockets kept her jewelry and accessories organized during transit. “It makes getting dressed virtually stress free because your look is in one place upon arrival,” she says.
Tumi garment bag
I’ve personally used this garment bag to carry the bridesmaid dresses I wore to both of my sisters’ weddings. I wanted a lightweight bag that was easy to carry, long enough to fit a floor-length evening gown, and would keep my dresses protected in transit. This one checks all the boxes—it features a top carry handle, has a sturdy zip closure, and is long enough to fit a formal dress or men’s suit. Plus, this nylon garment cover is durable enough to reuse for weddings to come.
Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Rolling Garment Bag
Lara Kramer, Traveler's global associate director of audience development, used this rolling garment carry-on for her honeymoon in Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro last summer. “I was able to pack a few nice dresses and my husband fit an entire suit, all of which remained wrinkle-free, which was a game changer,” she says. Kramer also loves that when you purchase this bag, it comes with a plan that covers the cost of repairs or damage from airlines for up to one year, including shipping costs.
The Laundress hanging storage bag
Fashion and lifestyle influencer Candace Molatore has spent the past few weeks traveling for weddings in Palm Springs, California and Portland, Oregon, so a well-made garment bag has been essential for her. “I'm a big fan of the Laundress brand and their garment bag is gorgeous and great,” she says. The Laundress garment bag features a full-length side zipper and a clear plastic sleeve that helps you easily identify which dresses are stored inside when it's hanging in your closet. It also has a three-inch gusset that helps expand the bag, allowing you to fit as much in there as possible.
Trifold extra long garment bag
When she's traveling with longer dresses, flight attendant Noelle Cors uses this trifold extra-long garment bag. “It includes important features such as adjustable straps for carrying on luggage, a variety of ways to fold the bag for stowing, a hook for hanging, and clips that keep your garments secure,” she says. The three hanger hoops allow you to store three to five dresses inside, and the hanging hoop is durable enough to support a full bag's contents on the back of a door. Other pros: It's affordable, available on Amazon, and is made to last for years.
Modoker convertible garment bag with shoulder strap
A duffel bag and garment bag all in one, this convertible bag from Amazon can be used for all sorts of trips. When you're not using it as a classic garment bag to keep dresses and suits wrinkle-free, it doubles as a regular, tear-resistant weekender bag with a side compartment to store shoes and adjustable shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry. LNA Clothing co-founder Lauren Alexander loves this one for special occasions. “This convertible garment bag can fit so much stuff and is super affordable,” she says. “I have yet to find a name brand that makes one as good as this.”
