From how we hold ourselves to what we wear, first impressions have an impact. Looking instantly put-together should be easy enough with a sharp suit set, a just-pressed blouse, or a pleated work dress—but that all changes when we travel. The once-structured blazer turns into a creased jacket, the blouse has more wrinkles than a Shar Pei, and the pleated work dress is merely a crinkled sheet. Thus comes the need for one of travel’s most underrated inventions: the garment bag.
Straight from airplanes to meetings, trains to conventions, or even just car rides to dinners, garment bags are first impression saviors. They keep clothing pristine in all forms, whether you're traveling with a wheeled carry-on, duffle bag, or checked luggage; however, a garment bag is more than just a bag. For luggage brand Tumi, they're a reflection of the brand’s values. “Crafting contemporary, efficient travel pieces is at Tumi’s core; it's our commitment to making your journeys easier and helping you look good when on-the-go,” says Jill Krizelman, senior vice president of global marketing and e-commerce at Tumi. So for someone who is on-the-go a lot, like Highsnobiety editor-in-chief Willa Bennett, “using a garment bag that's made of cotton is best for keeping [her] suits in perfect condition.” While the material, style, and size of the bags may vary, they have one thing in common: keeping clothing safe and structured.
Krizelman puts it perfectly. “I used to think about garment bags solely for transporting a dress or suit for a special occasion, but garment bags do so much more and have become excellent travel companions, especially for quick trips,” she says. Listen to the pros and take your pick ahead.
Garment Bag Tri-Fold Carry-On, $1,130, Tumi
This tri-fold carry-on is perfect for convenient, compact traveling, and the quality of TUMI is meant to last forever. As Krizelman notes, “When you want to show up looking your best, the right luggage can make a huge difference and from wrinkle-free to worry-free travel, nothing beats a TUMI garment bag.” Purchasers agree, calling it “the last garment bag [they] would ever need to buy.”
Related article: What The Fuzz: Accessories That Feel As Good As They Look
Suit Luggage Garment Bag, $75.56, Modoker
Picture the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “garment bag,” and then look at this. Identical right? With a strap for easy carrying, customers are loving the simplicity of this garment bag.
“This bag was easy to pack, managed hangers well and had room for shoes," one shopper says. "It could work as a weekender bag as well!” In this case, the customer’s always right.
Silhouette 17 Spinner Garment Bag, $581.30, Samsonite
Samsonite’s Silhouette collection has been around since 1958, so when an updated style comes along, it knows what’s up. Increased durability, spinner wheels, and double hanging capacity only add to the credibility of this bag.
A particularly rave reviewer loves that they were “able to fit four full suits, and still have space and nooks available to fit in the rest of [their] travel clothes and gear.” Noting this bag’s capabilities, it might be time to add to cart.
The Garment Bag, Away
Lightweight and compact, this is as reliable a garment bag as they come. Meant to fit two-to-three full-length garments, it's an essential for quick trips. But don’t underestimate this one—with zip compartments and mesh pockets, this bag means business. Take it from other shoppers, as one says, “It fulfills its targeted function of carrying suits, dress shirts, slacks, dresses, or whatever else will travel better in a garment bag.”
Related article: The Big Bag Theory: 8 Maxi Bags You Need To Know About
Amazon Basics Premium Garment Bag, $77.44, Amazon Basics
This garment bag from Amazon Basics is an affordable way to transport clothing wrinkle-free. One purchaser considers it “all you need for short trips across the country.” Another loves its black-tie capabilities, as they “carried two suits, two shirts, and a knee-length mother of the bride dress with no significant wrinkles, and [they] checked it with luggage…[they were] very impressed and highly recommend it to anyone needing to travel with dress clothes!”
Fabric Garment Weekender Bag, $668.50, Hook and Albert
In weekender style, Hook and Albert’s bag is a modish choice. The leather-trimming adds sleekness to sit atop wheeled luggage. Reviewers love the look, and one also “love[s] the fact that it’s both a garment bag and a tote.” The dual-purpose construction makes it a very tempting purchase.
Garment Duffle, briggs & riley
Another stray from the classic wheeled form, this duffle is in its own category of transformer. Going from a hanging bag back to a duffle in seconds, the flexible form makes packing easy. It’s essentially two bags in one, one buyer saying it “may be the only travel bag [they’ll] ever need.”
The Convertible Traveler Garment Bag, $1,500, Shinola
In messenger fashion comes a convertible garment bag for all wrinkle-free desires. The smooth exterior gives this bag durability and flexibility with a professional feel. And don’t be fooled by its size; one reviewer advertises that it “holds more than expected.”
Platinum Elite Carry-On Rolling Garment Bag, $1,104.50, Travelpro
This bag’s capacity goes far beyond its carry-on size, making it a favorite for both long haul trips and short jaunts. The strong nylon casing with leather trim has a business edge to match the suits it’s protecting inside. A fold-out extension only adds to its capabilities, and a fan of the bag says it’s “very well constructed with the critical failure points reinforced.” Another writes that it’s “sturdy but lightweight.”
Related article: The 11 Best Leather Blazers To Wear On Repeat This Fall
Legend Voyager Spinner Garment Bag, $3,081.10, Hartmann
No luggage roundup is complete without a classic Hartmann. The bag’s construction is of peak quality, and a removable padded extension panel and dual hanger brackets make its carrying capacities unlike any other on the market.
One reviewer is keen on the wheels, as they are “durable and roll easily.” The brand’s purchasers are strong believers in the product, with one even saying, “[they’ve owned] a Hartmann Tweed garment bag all [their] life for business and personal travel, and [they] wouldn't accept anything else.”
This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR US.