As you start pulling together your dream travel outfits, the ones you know will look amazing in your Insta pics, dresses are probably at the top of your list (they’re always at the top of mine!). Whether you’re off to a tropical escape, hopping through European cities, or headed to a destination wedding, dresses are total packing MVPs. They’re lightweight, versatile, and take up way less space than a full outfit with separate tops and bottoms. Win-win!
If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know I’m all about packing cubes and rolling your clothing to save space. But when it comes to dresses, especially delicate or structured ones, wrinkling can be a major buzzkill. There’s nothing worse than dreaming up the perfect outfit, pulling it out of your suitcase, and realizing it’s a crinkled mess. You’re probably familiar with the trick of hanging clothes in the bathroom and letting steam from a hot shower loosen the wrinkles, but what if we could avoid those wrinkles in the first place?
In this blog post, I’m sharing my go-to tips for packing dresses, so they stay wrinkle-free and ready to wear as soon as you check into your hotel. Let’s keep it chic and stress-free.
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How to Pack Dresses in a Suitcase Without Wrinkling
How to Pack a Formal Dress in a Suitcase Without Wrinkling
Traveling for a wedding, gala, or fancy dinner? Packing a formal dress without turning it into a wrinkled mess can feel tricky, but with the right strategy, it’s totally doable! Whether you’re heading to a destination wedding or just bringing your favorite formalwear for a special night out, here’s exactly how I keep my dresses looking flawless straight out of the suitcase.
What You Need
- Tissue paper or a dry-cleaning bag
- A garment bag (optional, but super helpful if you have room)
- Your suitcase (ideally one that lies flat for smooth packing)
Step 1: Prep and protect the fabric.
Lay your dress flat on a clean bed or surface and zip or button it up so it keeps its shape.
Next, grab some tissue paper and gently place it between any folds, pleats, or layered fabric. This helps reduce friction and keeps wrinkles from forming.
If your dress is made of delicate fabrics like satin or silk, wrap it in a dry-cleaning bag to give it an extra layer of protection.
Step 2: Fold it smart or not at all.
If your suitcase has enough room (lucky you!), gently fold or roll your dress in thirds or halves, depending on how long it is. Use tissue paper between each fold to keep it smooth.
For long gowns: Fold the hem to the waist, then fold the top down over it as if you were folding a letter.
Step 3: Use a garment bag (if you have one).
A garment bag is your bestie here. Pop your dress in, then gently roll or fold the garment bag to fit in your suitcase.
No garment bag? No problem. A large plastic bag or pillowcase can work in a pinch to keep the fabric from catching on anything.
Step 4: Pack it last.
Once everything is packed, place your dress on top, like the cherry on your travel packing sundae. Make sure nothing heavy (like shoes or toiletries) is sitting on it, and zip up that suitcase, knowing your dress is safe and ready to wear!
How to Pack a Silk Dress in a Suitcase Without Wrinkling
Silk dresses are effortlessly chic and perfect for those dressed-up dinners in places like Rome or a honeymoon date night. They’re lightweight and pack down small, but they wrinkle fast if you’re not careful.
What You’ll Need
- White tissue paper (acid-free is best!)
- A dry-cleaning bag or pillowcase
- Clean, flat surface
- A suitcase that’s not overstuffed
Step 1: Prep your dress.
Lay your silk dress face down on a clean bed or table. Gently smooth out the fabric with your hands to get rid of any light creases before you pack.
Step 2: Add tissue paper.
Slip a piece of tissue paper inside the dress, especially in the bodice or sleeves, then place tissue paper where you plan to fold. It helps cushion the folds and prevents those annoying sharp creases.
Step 3: Fold as little as possible.
Keep the folding to a minimum! For shorter dresses, fold once at the waist or in thirds with tissue paper in between. For longer dresses, fold the bottom up to the waist, then gently fold the top down.
Remember, looser folds mean fewer wrinkles!
Step 4: Wrap it up.
Tuck the folded satin dress into a plastic dry-cleaning bag, plastic garment bag, or even a pillowcase. This keeps the silk gliding smoothly instead of bunching up against other fabrics.
Step 5: Place it at the top.
Once your suitcase is packed, gently lay your silk dress right on top of everything else like the VIP that it is. No heavy items or clothing on top, please!
How to Pack Long Dresses in a Suitcase Without Wrinkling
Long, flowy dresses are the dreamy vacation outfit. They’re flattering, lightweight, and look amazing in photos. But let’s be real–packing them without ending with wrinkles? That takes a little strategy. Here’s how I keep mine looking fresh straight out of the suitcase.
What You’ll Need
- Tissue paper
- A flat surface (like a bed or table)
- Your suitcase (a hard-shell one works best)
Step 1: Prepare the dress.
Lay your dress flat on a clean surface. Smooth out the fabric with your hands and make sure all zippers and buttons are fastened to keep everything in place while you’re traveling.
Step 2: Add tissue paper where it folds.
Wherever you plan to fold the dress, layer in some tissue paper to help cushion and prevent creases. Don’t have tissue paper? A soft tee or scarf works in a pinch!
Step 3: Fold based on the fabric.
Not all dresses are created equal. Here’s how to fold depending on the material:
Casual Fabrics (cotton, rayon, or jersey) – Fold the hem up to the waist, then fold the top down over it. If the fabric is wrinkle-resistant (like jersey), you can even roll it loosely.
Delicate Fabrics (silk, satin, or tulle) – Stick to one or two folds max. These materials crease easily, so keep it light and gentle.
Step 4: Wrap it up.
Once folded, wrap your dress in a dry-cleaning bag, a pillowcase, or a garment bag if you have one. This cuts down on friction (and static) that can cause major wrinkles.
Step 5: Pack it on top.
Tuck your dress right on top of everything else in your suitcase, like it’s riding first class. And whatever you do, don’t pile anything heavy on top!
How to Pack a Chiffon Dress in a Suitcase Without Wrinkling
Whether you’re having your royal moment strolling through a castle or twirling on the beach at sunset, a chiffon dress brings all the romantic energy. But packing it without turning it into a wrinkled mess totally doable! Here’s how I make sure mine stays photo-ready upon arrival.
What You’ll Need
- Tissue paper
- A dry-cleaning or thin plastic bag
- Clean flat surface
- Your hard-shell suitcase (my go-to for structure!)
Step 1: Prep the dress.
Lay your chiffon dress flat on a clean surface (a bed works great!) Smooth out any folds with your hands, and make sure straps, zippers, and embellishments are secured and tucked in.
Step 2: Add tissue paper like a pro.
Slip tissue paper inside the bodice and between any ruffles, pleats, or layers especially if your dress is super flowy or detailed. This helps keep it from getting crushed or clingy from static.
Step 3: Fold it gently or roll it up.
For formal dress, fold it in thirds: hem to waist, then bodice over the top. Keep it super light and loose no tight creases!
For more casual chiffon dresses, gently roll it instead. It’s such a lightweight fabric that it usually holds up really well in transit.
Step 4: Wrap it for protection.
Slip your folded or rolled dress into a dry-cleaning bag or thin plastic bag to keep it from snagging on anything else in your suitcase.
Step 5: Place it on top of everything.
Place your wrapped dress right on top of your packed items. This way it stays safe and free from pressure AKA way less chance of creases.
How to Pack a Linen Dress in a Suitcase Without Wrinkling
There’s just something so effortlessly chic about linen, especially when you’re twirling through a European piazza or grabbing espresso at a sunny sidewalk cafe. But let’s be honest: linen loves to wrinkle. Luckily, with the right prep, you can keep your fave linen dress looking crisp and avoid wrinkling.
What You’ll Need
- Tissue paper
- Hard-shell suitcase
- Travel-size steamer or wrinkle-release spray
Step 1: Start wrinkle-free.
Before you even think about packing, make sure your linen dress is freshly ironed or steamed. Trust me, preventing wrinkles now is way easier than trying to deal with them later. Once it’s smooth, lay it flat and button or zip everything up.
Step 2: Cushion with tissue paper.
Slide tissue paper inside the sleeves, along the bodice, and in any areas where the fabric folds. It acts like a buffer and keeps creases from setting in too deep.
Step 3: Fold with love (and strategy).
Fold the dress as loosely as you can once in half or thirds depending on the length. Follow the dress’s natural seams (like at the waist or where the skirt flares), and place tissue paper between each fold to soften the bend.
Step 4: Lay it on top like the star it is.
Whether you’re packing it in your suitcase or a large packing cube, the linen dress goes on top. Never sandwich it between shoes or jeans (aka wrinkle city). Keep it flat and give it some space to breathe.
Step 5: Unpack right away.
As soon as you check in, take your linen dress out and hang it up. If there are any light wrinkles, hit with your travel steamer or hang it in the bathroom while you shower the steam works like magic!
Look your best in wrinkle-free dresses on your next vacation!
Let’s be real one of the most frustrating parts of travel is opening your suitcase to find your cute vacation outfits totally wrinkled. Been there. But with these easy, tried-and-true packing tips for dresses, you can arrive at your destination with outfits that are ready to wear and wrinkle-free!
If you loved these tips, don’t stop here. I’ve got you covered with more guides like my packing list for Europe, space-saving shoe-packing hacks, and my fave tricks for packing hats (because you know I never travel without one).
And if you want more travel inspo and behind-the-scene peeks from my trips, come say hi on Instagram @sierrainthecity. See you there!
