How to Keep My Packed Luggage Wrinkle Free

Packing clothes that end up at your destination wrinkle-free is an art. Although it may not be possible to prevent all wrinkles, clothing doesn't have to come out of your suitcase covered with unsightly creases. Take only the necessities, use a wide, flat-bottomed suitcase, and learn to strategically pack your clothing to prevent most wrinkles and make unpacking a breeze.

Rolling is recommended for more casual fabrics and garments, such as cotton T-shirts. To roll jeans, fold one leg over the other. Start at the ankles and make a tight roll all the way up to the waistband. For tops, fold the arms back so that you have a long rectangle, fold the garment in half, and roll up from the bottom. This technique helps prevent wrinkles and also saves space in your suitcase, since rolled garments can be packed tightly into luggage corners and sides.

If you're packing delicate fabrics or dress pants, minimize folding to prevent wrinkles. Place the bottom half of the garment in the suitcase and cover it with less-important clothing to form a cushion. Then fold the other half of the garment over the cushion. Your garment will come out smooth, not creased in the middle. The overlapping technique can be used for multiple garments. Simply layer the garments' bottoms on the floor of the suitcase and do the same with the garments' tops over the cushion.

According to Fodor's Travel, wrinkling is caused by friction, but plastic eliminates friction. Packing your important clothing in plastic garment or dry-cleaning bags, one outfit per bag, can keep wrinkling to a bare minimum and make your clothes look fresh off the hanger. For best results, stuff your clothing with tissue paper before placing it in the bag. This will keep it from flattening during travel and will help it retain a fresh look.

If you don't have a specific article of clothing you must pack, stick to wrinkle-resistant fabrics like nylon, polyester and lycra. Knits are also a good choice. For women who need to pack dresses or skirts, try jersey. Even when not properly folded, jersey always looks good.