How to fold clothes in a suitcase in 4 steps

A well-packed suitcase and logically arranged luggage is a great convenience when traveling. It provides good access to essential things, properly protects delicate articles, and... simply takes up little space, which is crucial when traveling. We have prepared a practical guide for you, in which we share our proven ways of conveniently packing clothes in a suitcase.

Guide:

1. How to choose the right suitcase

• Dimensions of the suitcase

• • Hand luggage
    If you are planning a weekend trip, the ideal choice will be a cabin suitcase (also called a handy one), in which you can fit the most necessary things, and whose size will not be a problem on the go. Its standard dimensions are 55 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm, used in most airlines. You can also find the second dimension (used by WizzAir line among others) 40 cm x 30 cm x 20 cm. Keep in mind that the carrier has the right to specify its own customized requirements for carrying cases. If you are worried whether your suitcase meets the carrier's requirements, check out our article about the limits of the most popular airlines here.

• • Check-in suitcase
    More freedom in terms of dimensions and types of a suitcase is provided by paid checked-in baggage. Most airlines accept a limit of 158 cm, which is calculated from the sum of the three edges of the suitcase. Therefore, you do not have to worry if your suitcase is wider but shorter than others - if it does not exceed 158 cm, you can pack!

• Material from which the suitcase is made

  • ABS - acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer is an artificial material that has found its application in many suitcase models. It is light and cheap. Thanks to its hardness it will adequately protect the objects in the suitcase, however, due to its low elasticity, it can easily be damaged, scratched, and cracked. 
    
    ✅ The suitcases made of ABS are ideal as hand luggage. 
    ❌ We do not advise to use them as hand luggage, as they do not tolerate flipping.

• • Polymer - a material made of mixed chemicals, which is characterized by increased flexibility and resistance to cracking. It is as light and cheap as ABS, but better protects objects. The polymer will be great for fans of distinctive colors.
    
    ✅ Better protection of suitcase contents, increased flexibility.
    ❌ We do not advise to use it as checked-in baggage, it can be damaged if flipped more strongly.

• • Polypropylene - a combination of polycarbonate and ABS. It is characterized by higher strength than other materials and exceptional flexibility, which prevents cracks and scratches. In addition, polypropylene is resistant to temperature changes - it can handle both low and high temperatures. However, it is more expensive and heavier than other materials.
    
    ✅ Resistant to temperature changes, scratches, and cracks.
    ❌ We advise against using polypropylene suitcases as hand luggage because of their heavyweight.

• • Polycarbonate is the most resistant material of all plastics. It is light but hard and very flexible - it returns to its original shape even after strong impacts. It is an ideal material if you travel a lot by plane. Unfortunately, it is also the most expensive plastic, but with its high price, we can be sure of high quality.
    
    ✅ Ideal for checked luggage - it is resistant to shocks and dents, it returns to its original shape. 
    ❌ High, prohibitive price.

• • Polyester - well-known and popular material is ideal if you are looking for a soft suitcase. Suitcases made of polyester are light and capacious - you will fit into them much more than you might think at first sight. Sewn-in pockets make it easy to put things in the suitcase. Polyester suitcases are easy to transport and store, and thanks to the use of fabric, they do not terribly crack or scratch.
    
    ✅ The polyester suitcase is light, capacious, and practical - it will be perfect as hand luggage for a week's trip. 
    ❌ It is not waterproof, can tear.

• • Nylon is an extremely durable fabric that will provide your suitcase with additional moisture protection thanks to its waterproof coating. Thanks to the flexible material, you will be able to fit more of your favorite items in the suitcase.
    
    ✅ The additional waterproof coating protects things from moisture. 
    ❌ It can tear.

• Capacity and weight

• • Large - suitcases with a capacity of 85 to 130 liters. This type of suitcases is the heaviest - they can weigh up to 4 kg! They are a perfect choice if you are planning a longer journey (>14 days).
  • Medium - suitcases with a capacity of 50 to 84 liters. Slightly lighter than large suitcases, weighing from 2 to 3 kg, they are the perfect choice for week-long trips. They are easy to transport and do not take up too much space.
  • Small - the most popular type of suitcases, also called cabin suitcases, are suitcases with a capacity of 25-49 liters and weight up to 3 kg. Small and handy, they will prove themselves both during a train journey, in a plane cabin, or in a trunk. Light and easy to carry, they are the most frequently chosen model. The ideal choice for a weekend trip and short, undemanding trips.

• Wheels

• • Number of wheels: 

• • • Two-wheeled suitcases - designed to be pulled behind you, two-wheeled suitcases distribute the weight of the baggage on the moving parts and the handle. They are more susceptible to damage but are easy to drive.

• • • Four-wheeled suitcases - designed for pushing, often have swivel wheels that make it easier to maneuver the suitcase. They can be pushed or pulled. If the suitcase is pushed, the weight of the luggage is evenly distributed over the four casters, which guarantees a lower failure rate, relieves the shoulders, and increases the comfort of carrying the suitcase.

• • Type of castors: 

• • • Plastic castors - an older and cheaper model of castors, which is suitable for lighter luggage, especially for small cabin cases. When they hit or collide with an obstacle, they are easily damaged, chipped, or cracked, and their replacement is problematic.

• • • Rubber castors - a newer, more solid, but more expensive model of castors, the current benchmark of quality. Rubber castors allow easy maneuvering and pulling of luggage. They are resistant to shocks and damage. They will work well with any kind of suitcase. If you are looking for quality, you should choose rubber wheels.

2. Useful gadgets and accessories

Since you know what clothes you need to pack, think about whether you need to pack any additional accessories for your trip.

• Just in case, bring a small, portable stain remover, which you can buy at any drugstore and a disposable washing powder (necessarily tightly packed in a plastic, protected, ziplock bag) in case something happens to your favorite clothes.

• If you want to organize your luggage better - decide to buy packing cubes -  space organizers in a suitcase. Some of them compress clothes, so you save a lot of space. You can divide clothes into specific sets for each day or divide them by type - for example, holding shirts in one organizer, and skirts in another.

• If you wear shirts, dresses or a suit during your trip and have space in your suitcase - consider packing a hand-held steam ironing device to remove small creases on your shirt or blouse.

3. Baggage security

Have you already planned sets of clothes for all weather and a suitably small suitcase is ready? Great - now it's time to secure your luggage so that it doesn't get hurt while traveling.

How to secure ...

• Shoes
  When packing shoes - pack them in a plastic bag so that their soles do not touch your clothes.

• Elegant clothes
  If you pack clothes such as elegant shirts, jackets, or dresses - take care of covers that protect them from dirt, creases, or other mechanical damage. Warning! When you pack a shirt, always pack it with the buttoned-up and the collar up.

Additional tips for ...

• The smell of clothes
  A great way to ensure the freshness of your clothes while traveling is to get small scented sachets, thanks to which the fresh smell of laundry will last even a long flight by plane.

• Organization
  If you have a small suitcase, and you are afraid that when you move around and open the suitcase it will be one big mess inside, secure its contents with packing cubes.

4. Folding clothes in the correct order

If delicate items are already secured - it's time to fold and pack clothes in the right order.

1. Bottom layer

At the very bottom put shoes secured with plastic bags, rolled up jeans, and T-shirts. This way of folding creates secure cushioning for the rest of the luggage, but also protects against creasing.

2. Middle layer

On this layer put another - folded and secured items that are exposed to creases.

3. The top layer

The upper layer should be pants and dresses folded in half. Use the full length of the suitcase to pack them. Place small items and accessories on top, using the free spaces. Warning! If you are carrying an empty thermos, food containers or other objects with empty space inside - use it. You can slip in a belt, earrings, charger, or nail polish.

Packed, what else?

Summary

Appropriate luggage organization - planning sets, using packing cubes, or the most convenient packing strategies - is an inseparable element of a stress-free journey. Thanks to MyLuggage, you will not only learn about the best ways to pack a suitcase but also get a personalized packing list so you don't forget about anything that might be useful during your trip!