Packing formal and embroidered outfits for travel

Hand luggage for the outfit that matters

If you are flying to a wedding, an Eid with family or a once-in-a-while gathering, carry the main outfit with you. Checked bags are sometimes delayed, and the outfit you planned for months is the one you will miss. A slim garment bag folded once, or a cabin case holding just the formal pieces, keeps it with you. Check your airline’s cabin allowance before you travel.

Folding and protecting each piece

• Kameez: lay it face down, place tissue over the back, fold the sleeves in, then fold the body once or twice across the width. Fewer folds mean fewer marks.
• Embroidery: fold so the decorated side faces inwards, with tissue between layers so threads and any beads do not snag on each other.
• Dupattas: fold loosely lengthways and roll around a sheet of tissue or a soft towel, or lay them flat on top of everything else.
• Velvet: pack last, on top, folded softly with tissue, so nothing presses on the pile. Our velvet guide explains why the pile crushes.
• Organza and net: loosely folded on top; these fabrics hold a crease longer than most.
• Jewellery and accessories: packed separately in a pouch so earrings and clasps cannot catch on fabric.

Garment bags, cases and weight

A breathable fabric garment bag is better than plastic for anything more than a short journey, as plastic traps moisture, especially if you are travelling from a cold climate into a hot one. In a suitcase, packing cubes keep each outfit together and stop heavier items shifting onto delicate ones. Put shoes and toiletries at the wheel end, away from formal clothes, and seal liquids in a separate bag.

On arrival: steaming and hanging

Unpack straight away and hang each piece on a wide hanger. Many creases drop out overnight. For the rest, hang the outfit in the bathroom while you run a hot shower with the door closed, keeping it clear of the water, or use a travel steamer held a short distance away. Hotel irons are often very hot and sometimes not very clean, so use a press cloth and iron on the reverse if you must. Check the voltage of any steamer you bring and pack the right plug adapter.

Our ironing and steaming guide has the heat settings for each fabric.

Travelling between climates

Flying from a cold, dry winter into the humid heat of somewhere like Dubai, clothes packed tight can feel damp when you open the case, and fabric that was crisp at home can soften. Unpack quickly and let things air. Going the other way, from heat into a heated winter home, static can build up in synthetic fabrics. If the trip is for a winter wedding, our article on velvet for winter weddings has ideas for staying warm without overheating indoors.

Planning an outfit for a trip

If you are ordering an outfit for a trip, allow plenty of time, because production takes 5 to 7 working days after approval and full payment and delivery from Pakistan is extra. Tell us the date and where you are travelling, and choose fabrics that travel well where you can. With custom design in the UK or anywhere else, you can send us your design with a reference photo and we confirm what is possible on your fabric in the written quote.