Packing for travel

[Dr T]

Packing is always a concern for those who appreciate fine clothes. Suits are a particular issue. Having tried everything from hanging suits in a large suitcase to folding the jackets inside out, I have stumbled across a good solution. Have a look at this short video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDGWW7_O2sI
I now use this method and find it very good – minimal creases quickly removed with the steam from a kettle.
Any tips on packing please pass them on

Check carefully about the value of your suitcase contents, You may be surprised at the very low level most insurance companies place on the contents particularly suits. This can be rectified by increasing and specifying the items on your personal items home insurance.

[Melcombe]

Ha!
viewtopic.php?f=33&t=11303


Your points about insurance cover are well-made. I make ample use of budget airlines, but I never skimp on holiday insurance / medical cover.

It's intriguing these days how folks seem to have cut down on baggage so as to make do with carry on luggage only on budget airlines (in Europe anyway). The cost of even a small suitcase as hold luggage is staggering on some airlines compared to the seats. My wife's 20Kg case regularly costs more than our 2 seats on Ryanair.

Advice Ive been given (and occasionally followed...!) includes wearing a decent suit - or just the jacket - rather than packing it, particularly under a full length overcoat : that will keep it clean - and then you put it in the o/head locker inside out & folded - and on top of everyone else's cases. Also if your overcoat has poacher pocket : fill it!

For really heavy-duty travel, consider sending your case ahead by express parcel carrier, especially if you want to take over 20Kg. Beyond that weight, dimensions are less of an issue so you can pack things in a jumbo case with plenty of tissue paper and bubble wrap as required. Also the insurance is usually inclusive and can give very high cover.

If you don't use your suitcase that often, consider keeping a cloth bag filled with sodium bicarbonate crystals in it - they soak up the cardboard-y plastic-y aroma that seems to hang around even brand new cases.

[hectorm]

For really heavy-duty travel, consider sending your case ahead by express parcel carrier.

Great piece of advice, Melcombe!
I've doing it for the last 5 years, specially when traveling with the whole family by plane, and I can't praise it enough.
Luggage gets picked up from home at your convenience and delivered to your destination with a confirming notice. You arrive at the airport (almost) hands free. No need to wait in line to check your bags or wait for them at the carousel once you arrived. What a pleasure to find your bags waiting for you at the hotel and to know all along that they will be there! If you have the time to use ground shipment, it's also very inexpensive.
My experience is that on the way back timing gets a bit trickier but it's still doable and worthwhile.

[Concordia]

As a practical matter, how long does it take for these things to arrive reliably? (I'm thinking especially of overseas shipments.) Also, does Customs here or abroad cause any difficulties?

[hectorm]

Within the US you can choose a range, from overnight (expensive) to 5 days (inexpensive). In any case you can track your luggage all the way.
To ship overseas, the bags have to clear customs of course. I've done it twice already (Milan and Zurich) and the experiences have been seamless. Luggage forward, the company, took care of all the paper work, etc.

[schmayck]

How about this for suits:

http://www.rollor.com/

[hectorm]

It looks a bit bulky for travelling, and just for one suit. On the other hand it could be useful for my yoga class.

[uppercase]

I am all for traveling minimally.

I have had suitcases stolen and suitcases lost. And tens of thousands of dollars of clothes disappear in a moment.
Rare. But it has happened.

But I advocate traveling with a minimum wardrobe not because of theft but because of convenience.

I just don't want to be burdened. Not burdened with carrying a heavy bag. Not burdened with having to look so well put together.

I am not in fashion. Nor blogging about clothes. And nobody really cares what I look like and no one will be taking my picture . So if I dress generically OK while traveling, with nice-enough clothes, I'll be happy. I can't transport my home closet in a suitcase so everything will have to just be OK.

I've tried many travel bags for suits. They are all a headache and extra work for me to carry around. So I just abandoned those. Now I just fold up a suit or two in a normal suitcase, use some dry cleaning plastic covers to place in between the clothes to help them from wrinkling and then just steam the suits in the bathroom upon arrival. It works OK. Good enough.

If you're worried about your clothes when traveling,it's just a headache. I want simplicity. I want to enjoy my trip. I don't want to think about dressing. Functionality, interchangeability: these are important features. Comfortable walking shoes. A good sweater to keep me warm on the flight and upon arrival; indispensable. Add a hat or cap for some panache; also a scarf or cravat. All light weight, yet stylish. Good, distinctive gloves now that the weather is turning colder. Accessories are all light weight and add a lot to your style quotient. Yes, pack a good pair of blue jeans; no need to be so buttoned down and you will certainly wear them in your free time; dress them up to the skies if you want, but bring them along.

Enough. My suitcase and mind are already full.

[Dr T]

I tend to pack all small items into nylon cubes, not only does this keep the case very tidy but also maximises the space. One of my better buys was an Eagle Creek shirt folder, the mid size allows 7 shirts to be packed and they come out of your case (almost) uncreased. When I travel its mainly long haul on business - sometimes twice a month so packing has become a bit of an obsession!
Im alway in cattle class and have to put up the ever differing luggage weight limits of the airlines.

[bond_and_beyond]

I tend to pack all small items into nylon cubes, not only does this keep the case very tidy but also maximises the space. One of my better buys was an Eagle Creek shirt folder, the mid size allows 7 shirts to be packed and they come out of your case (almost) uncreased. When I travel its mainly long haul on business - sometimes twice a month so packing has become a bit of an obsession!
Im alway in cattle class and have to put up the ever differing luggage weight limits of the airlines.

That is interesting to read regarding the shirt folder. However, won't the folding creases (the same one sees in a new shirt in its packaging) still remain?

BB

[Dr T]

BB you are correct. But when worn with a suit none of the small folds show. With a new shirt I think they are pressed for packing - the Eagle Creek system you just lightly fold. It works well. If you are thinking of using this system - dont pick the smallest shirt carrier -its just too small.

[Dr T]

Suitcases – most of my cases have ended their days due to the heavy handling they get from the Airlines. So what’s best? As always it depends –for occasional use Samsonite are good and light. If you do a lot of traveling, I sometime have to fly long haul as much as three times a month, the best I’ve found to date, regardless of price is the hard shell cases by Victorinox. They are light and also very strong.

[Dr T]

Advice Ive been given (and occasionally followed...!) includes wearing a decent suit - or just the jacket - rather than packing it, particularly under a full length overcoat : that will keep it clean - and then you put it in the o/head locker inside out & folded - and on top of everyone else's cases. Also if your overcoat has poacher pocket : fill it!

Good point Melcombe, might do this for short trips. For work travel I wear a blazer, zipped pockets on the inside and all external pockest have a pop stud internal fastener -so far never lost anything (or had it stolen).

[Dr T]

Also see the thread "Safety in the fold....."

[Frederic Leighton]

It is true, we are but faint-hearted crusaders. Even the walkers, nowadays, who undertake no persevering, never-ending enterprises . Our expeditions are but tours, and come round again at evening to the old hearth-side from which we set out. Half the walk is but retracing our steps. We should go forth on the shortest walk, perchance, in the spirit of undying adventure, never to return, --prepared to send back our embalmed hearts only as relics to our desolate kingdoms. If you are ready to leave father and mother, and brother and sister, and wife and child and friends, and never see them again, -- if you have paid your debts, and made your will, and settled all your affairs, and are a free man, then you are ready for a walk.