When you reach your vacation destination, you should be able to hit the ground running — not waste time searching for the nearest ironing board. But even short flights can cause major fashion regret in the form of stubborn creases. And when you arrive, you probably shouldn’t expect to find wrinkle-free clothes straight from your suitcase, either. Fortunately, travel attire has evolved, and there are casual and business-ready options for all types of trips. Discover the convenience of these anti-wrinkle clothing items and learn which fabrics to steer clear of.
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Crease-Proof Pants
After sitting long hours in a cramped plane or train, you’ll probably have wrinkles and creases where they aren’t supposed to be. To avoid that scenario, look for pants crafted from polyester, nylon, or spandex. These stretchy fabrics not only avoid wrinkles but also provide comfort and breathability. For shorter travel days, denim pants are suitable, too, as they don’t wrinkle but may lack breathability. Whatever you do, steer clear of 100% linen or cotton pants for travel, as these fabrics wrinkle the most.
Our picks: Athleta has a versatile line of travel-friendly clothes, and their women’s Endless High-Rise Pants are made of a polyester and spandex blend that wicks away moisture and stays wrinkle-free. For a wider leg, consider Athleta’s Brooklyn Heights Pants, made of the same fabric blend. For business casual men’s pants that feel like sweatpants, check out the ABC Classic-Fit Warpstreme pants from Lululemon. The Warpstreme fabric is an elastomultiester and polyester blend designed to stay wrinkle-free all day.
Wrinkle-Resistant T-Shirts
While traveling, you should be prepared for temperature changes by dressing in light layers. An excellent casual base layer is a simple T-shirt, but don’t reach for a classic 100% cotton tee — those can get pretty wrinkly in a suitcase. Instead, opt for a cotton blend, polyester, or a similar synthetic fabric. “These synthetic fibers are inherently more resilient to wrinkling than natural materials and can bounce back to their original shape with ease,” explains Jennifer Connolly, creator of fashion blog A Well Styled Life.
Our picks: You can’t go wrong with a classic. Try the Hanes Cool Dri performance T-shirts (in men’s and women’s styles), which are 100% polyester and come in an assortment of colors. As a bonus, they have a 40+ UPF rating for added sun protection. For a more fitted look, opt for Alo’s bestselling All Day Short Sleeve for women, made of modal jersey to resist wrinkling. Alo has men’s options, too, such as the Triumph crew neck, which is made of tri-blend jersey containing 50% polyester.
Travel-Friendly Dress Shirts
Packing button-down dress shirts for business meetings or fine dining can be a headache for travelers. After all, hotel irons aren’t always the most reliable. Although linen shirts look great, avoid packing them if you don’t want to bring a travel steamer. Silk is another fabric that is best avoided because it is prone to creasing. Instead of breaking out the iron upon arrival, opt for a shirt designed to stay wrinkle-free, even while packed in a suitcase.
Our picks: Ministry of Supply is known for its highly-rated AeroZero Dress Shirt, with styles for both men and women that are made from 100% recycled polyester. This makes them naturally wrinkle-resistant and machine washable.
Effortless Dresses
Dresses are a versatile travel item, easily dressed up or down with the right accessories, a jacket, or the perfect pair of shoes. However, you should avoid silk, linen, and 100% cotton, and opt for materials such as wool, polyester, cotton blends, or tencel instead.
Our pick: Unbound’s Merino Travel Dress is adaptable for any climate and is made of an anti-wrinkle blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex to wick away moisture and help with temperature control.
Versatile Sweaters
With notoriously cold airplane cabins, wearing layers is a smart choice while traveling. So, you’ll probably bring a sweater or blazer (or a few of each), depending on where you’re headed. Cashmere, knits, and wool are ideal fabric options to stay wrinkle-free. Merino wool, in particular, is known for its elastic properties. “Not only will wool keep you warm and toasty in the winter, but it’s also incredibly wrinkle-resistant,” according to fashion website Who What Wear.
Our picks: Everlane’s women’s Half-Zip Sweater is made with luxurious merino wool and can be dressed up or down, making it a great addition to any travel outfit. Everlane also has stylish merino wool options for men, including the Felted Merino Half-Zip and Merino Crew Neck Sweater. For a more casual look, try the Spanx Half Zip, a silky soft polyester blend. For a men’s fit, consider Rhoback’s Performance Q-Zip, made from a moisture-wicking polyester blend that comes in various styles and colors.
Packable Jackets
You might need to pack a jacket for your next trip, too. Rain jackets sometimes wrinkle, so look for styles made of nylon. A stylish peacoat might be the perfect addition to your fall outfits, but think of how it will hold up while traveling. Wool is not prone to wrinkles, so look for a coat made of this fabric if you plan on packing it in your luggage.
Our picks: Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket is designed to fold into a small, packable block. For colder escapes, opt for a foldable jacket with a quilted pattern, such as Patagonia’s Nano Puff line. The quilting allows natural creases to form, which avoids unwanted wrinkles. (You’d be surprised how compact a winter jacket can be once the air is pushed out.) For peacoats, the L.L. Bean wool peacoat is a timeless classic that comes in men’s and women’s styles.
Featured image credit: Klaus Vedfelt/ DigitalVision via Getty Images
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