The Traveler’s Guide to Summer Suits: Packing Tips and Essentials

The Traveler’s Guide to Summer Suits: Packing Tips and Essentials

When you’re planning a summer work trip or holiday, you may not have considered how to pack your summer suits and the accessories you need for your travels. We are here to help, with our guide to travelling with your summer suits, including all the essential packing tips you need to know.

Our team of experts will be happy to help you with all of your summer suit requirements, and whether you’re considering a custom-made suit or a selection of accessories to brighten up your work suit for an evening occasion, we can help you find what you are looking for. Read on for our top tips and get ready for a summer of suave, sophisticated style.

Travelling with your summer suits

Choosing a summer suit you love allows you to consider the fabrics and tailoring that will work best for your body shape, your lifestyle and the season. Summer suits are often made from lighter fabrics that allow your skin to breathe, such as cotton and linen, although a wool suit can also be a surprisingly good option as it is a natural fibre that can help keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Fabrics such as cotton and linen, however, may be the ideal fabrics for the summer but can be difficult to travel with. Don’t panic, we have an easy guide to caring for your suit while travelling to ensure that it arrives in good condition and ready to wear. We recommend:

1. Finding the right luggage. A suit crushed into your bag with your swimsuit will not look its best when you arrive at your destination, so think carefully about how you transport your suit to keep it in great condition. A garment bag can be a good solution to protect your suit and keep it from creasing, or you may have a dedicated compartment in your suitcase that allows your suit to lie flat, minimising wrinkles and creases.

2. Packing strategically. Your carefully chosen luggage will not keep your suit pristine if you do not pack it with thoughtfulness, so make sure that you take the time to get it right. You should lay your suit flat on the top of other items in your suitcase, and fold trousers and suit jackets carefully along their natural creases to minimise crushing. You may find that folding your trousers and jacket inside out helps to protect the fabric, and you can do so if this does not cause excessive wrinkling. You might also find that rolling your suit is a good option for you, and this will depend on the type of fabric and the way the suit is cut.

3. Unpacking straight away. Leaving your suit in your suitcase will make wrinkles worse and could cause the fabric to be damaged. You should unpack your suit as soon as possible when you arrive at your destination, and hang it up in a well-ventilated area to encourage wrinkles from falling out and recover its shape. If your suit has been crushed during travel, you may wish to find out whether your hotel or a local business can dry clean or press it for you.

4. Packing the right tools to help. When you arrive at your destination, you will be able to remove any wrinkles in your suit quickly and easily with a portable steamer or suit spray. Alternatively, if you do not have access to a steamer or spray, you can simply hang your suit in the bathroom and let it steam while you have a shower to encourage the wrinkles to fall out.

5. Planning ahead. To optimise your wardrobe while travelling, it’s a good idea to plan your outfits ahead of time and have options that you can swap out if needed. Your travel wardrobe will depend on the type of trip you are taking and whether you are taking a selection of suits for different meetings, for example. If you are taking several suits with you, you may include a linen option and then you can wear a different suit instead if it becomes creased. However, if you are only taking one suit for your whole trip, for a special occasion or event, it may be risky to go with a fabric such as linen that is so easily creased and does not always recover well.

Making the most of your summer suit

The ideal summer suit will be easy to mix and match and accessorise, enabling you to create a range of looks that suit your style. A suit is an investment in your lifestyle, so it makes sense to find one that can be adapted for many situations and you can do this by accessorising carefully. When you are travelling, this is especially important since accessories are light and easy to pack and can help you transform one suit to enable you to wear it several times during your trip.

Accessories can make a big difference to the way your suit looks and are a great way to bring out your personality in your outfit. Having a range of versatile accessories can help you turn heads for all the right reasons, and we recommend exploring the following options:

• Ties or bowties. Ties and bowties are a great way to add colour, texture and style to your suit and you can change your look completely by varying these elements. You should choose a tie that complements your suit and the shirt you are wearing, as well as think about how it represents your personality and style.
• Shirts. Most suits can be worn with several different colours and styles of shirt, creating a variety of looks. If you intend to wear your suit more than once while you are travelling, changing the shirt for a different colour or type can make a completely different impact and you will look like you are wearing an entirely different outfit.
• Pocket square. A pocket square is a sophisticated addition to your suit jacket and you can explore the different colours and patterns available to change up your look. You can match your pocket square to your tie for classic elegance, or select a colour or pattern that contrasts with your tie for a more unique look. You can also fold your pocket square in different ways to create interest, so you may wish to take the time to experiment with this.
• Dress shoes. The shoes you choose to wear can make all the difference to your overall look and we suggest black or brown leather dress shoes for a timeless, versatile style. Ensure that your shoes look their best by maintaining them and polishing them well to enhance the effect of your outfit.
• Belt. Whether you need a belt to cinch in the waist of your suit trousers or not, you should wear one if your trousers have belt loops. A belt can be a standard, smart black leather affair or an attractive design that reflects your personality. Your belt colour should usually match your shoes for a cohesive look, and your belt buckle should be in keeping with the style of your outfit and the occasion you are wearing it for.
• Dress watch. A dress watch is a statement piece that can transform the impact your outfit makes at a special event this summer. You should opt for a watch that shows off your personality and complements your suit, shirt and tie. Alternatively, you may wish to wear a pocket watch with a chain that connects to your suit jacket or waistcoat. This can be a great way to indulge your sense of play and will make a great talking point.
• Cufflinks. If you opt for a shirt that requires cufflinks instead of button cuffs, you will be able to choose cufflinks that add to your outfit and your sense of style. Whether you opt for a classic, plain design or a more meaningful or personalised choice, you will feel and look great when you get all the details right.
• Socks. Your socks are often an afterthought when planning an outfit, but picking the right socks for your suit will make a big difference to your overall appearance. We recommend choosing dress socks that coordinate well with your suit or embracing an element of fun by introducing a touch of colour with your socks. Your socks should always be long enough to cover your ankles when you are sitting down.
• Tie bar. A tie bar is a helpful option to secure your tie in place throughout the day and add an extra touch of style. Look for a tie bar that is the right width for your tie and position it between the third and fourth buttons of your shirt for optimum effect.

The accessories you choose can change the look of your suit dramatically so have fun experimenting with different options to create diverse and interesting looks for different occasions.

Choose a stylish summer suit at Suits

Here at Suits, we have a wide range of two-, three-and four-piece suits, as well as all the accessories you need to create the perfect look for every occasion.
We are a 100% Irish-owned business, with a showroom in Ballycurreen, Cork and we would love for you to visit our website or pop in and see us in our showroom for the full Suits experience.