A garment bag is the best and easiest way to pack men's or women's suits. It is the bag of choice for cruise ships because of the amount of dressier clothing usually taken. Garment bags are easy to pack and if it's done correctly, your clothing will be virtually wrinkle free. The best and most convenient garment bags are on wheels. They are just easier to maneuver through busy airport, bus and train terminals. If you have wheels, you don't have to feel guilty packing a lot of shoes either. The newer garment bags take hangers directly from your clothes closet at home. No need to use special hangers. If possible, put a shirt, tie, blouse, belt, shell, and scarf, all underneath the jacket on the same hanger. Slacks should also be packed over the same hanger. Just be sure to straighten everything when placing the clothes inside the garment bag to prevent creasing. If possible, hang the garment bag to pack. Be sure to put a towel over a door, and then hang the garment bag from the hook. You'll probably need help to get it down once it's fully packed, but gravity will insure that all of the clothing is hanging straight without creasing. If it's not possible to hang the bag, pack it on your bed but place the clothing inside carefully. You can also put the plastic bags from the cleaners over every other garment. This creates a layer of air that also insures no wrinkling.

Once you have all of your hangables hung inside the bag, begin to pack your underwear, pajamas, shoes, and cosmetics. There are triangular pockets at the top of the garment bag on both sides of the hangers. You can pack socks or stockings, and some cosmetics in these pockets. Shoes go on the bottom of the garment bag, and there's usually room behind the shoe pockets for more shoes and some handbags. Place the shoes in shoe covers to keep your clothing from becoming soiled. More socks and other small items can also be placed inside the shoes and/or handbags. You can put underwear and pajamas in the balance of the zippered pockets, or place them in a packing cube and slip the cube into the outside zippered pocket. Cosmetics should be plastic wrapped first, and then put in a plastic lined case to doubly insure that they will not open or leak or spill.

You can usually hang the garment bag in your hotel room, and unpacking will not necessary until you return home. If that's not possible, just remove the clothing with the hangers and hang in the closet. Smaller items and shoes can all be unpacked quickly. Garment bags really make business trips and dressier occasions much easier once you get the hang of it!