With thousands of Brits set to attend weddings abroad this summer, suit experts are warning travellers that one common packing mistake could leave them arriving with a creased, misshapen suit and scrambling for last-minute fixes before the big day.
From crushed lapels and wrinkled jackets to shirts that have lost their shape in transit, improper packing can quickly undo even the most expensive tailoring.
To help wedding guests avoid a style disaster, Amy Reid Suit Specialist expert at Xposed London have revealed five unusual but effective ways to keep a suit looking sharp in the heat.
1. Pack a tennis ball alongside your tailoring
A clean tennis ball can help absorb moisture and keep clothing fresher during long journeys, particularly when travelling to hot destinations.
Some travellers even lightly mist the ball with fabric freshener before packing it to help prevent stale suitcase odours from developing around formalwear.
2. Put a rolled belt inside your shirt collar
Many travellers focus on protecting their suit jacket but overlook one of the first things people notice: the collar.
Rolling a belt and placing it inside your shirt collar before packing can help it retain its shape throughout the journey, preventing the flattened, wilted look that often comes from hours in a suitcase.
3. Pack a shower cap for your shoes
Hotel shower caps aren’t just for bathrooms. Covering the soles of formal shoes with a shower cap prevents dirt, scuffs and polish from transferring onto shirts, jackets and other clothing in your luggage. It’s a lightweight alternative to bulky shoe bags and takes up virtually no room.
4. Let your hotel shower steam your suit
If your suit arrives with travel creases, experts recommend hanging it in the bathroom while running a hot shower.
The steam can help relax fibres and release minor wrinkles naturally, reducing the need to risk damaging fabrics with an unfamiliar hotel iron.
5. Turn your suit jacket inside out before folding it
It may sound backwards, but turning your jacket inside out before folding can help protect the visible outer fabric from friction, marks and creasing.
The lining acts as a protective barrier, helping to preserve the appearance of delicate materials during transit.
Amy Reid, Suit Specialist at Xposed London, comments: “Most people spend weeks or even months finding the perfect suit, only to undo all that effort before they’ve even arrived. The key is thinking about how you pack, not just what you pack. Small changes like unpacking immediately, protecting your shirt collar and using steam instead of direct heat can make a huge difference to how your suit looks on the day. When you’re attending a wedding abroad, the last thing you want is to spend the morning worrying about wrinkles and creases.”
