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.