The Best Garment Bag

Buying Guide

If you ever travel, then you know the benefits of a garment bag. This one luggage option lets you pack up your clothing without having to worry about the excessive wrinkling that comes with folding them up in your suitcase. Many modern garment bags build in pockets and extra storage for toiletries, accessories and shoes.

But garment bags aren’t limited to one item of clothing. Some are large enough that you can squeeze in all your outfits for a long weekend or even a full week. However, for more than a few days, you’ll likely need extra luggage for all your undergarments, shoes and toiletries.

Those who are flying with garment bags should first check the size restrictions on carry-on bags. This can vary from one airline to another, but in most cases, your garment bag will fit. Generally speaking, carry-on luggage should measure no more than 22 inches by 10 inches, and that includes the wheels and handles.

Those who only travel by car might still want to pay attention to the dimensions of any garment bag. You’ll be trying to squeeze it into your trunk or the backseat of your vehicle, so a bulky bag might become cumbersome. One that you can hang from a handle inside the car — and in your closet once you arrive at your destination — will come in handy.

Unless you’re on the road constantly, you’ll need a way to store your garment bag when you aren’t using it. That means you’ll have to make space in a closet somewhere in your house for it. Chances are, you have other luggage, so you can simply store your garment along with your other suitcases and travel bags.

Speaking of storage, garment bags can be useful for year-round garment storage. You can buy bags that will safeguard your suits, gowns, winter coats and other items when you aren’t going to wear them for a while. These are typically lighter in build than the type you’d buy for traveling.

• Thick, durable material is important in a garment bag, especially if you’ll be checking it at the airport. Luggage can be tossed around, putting internal items at risk, so you’ll want a garment bag that will protect your internal contents.
• Different garment bags have different capacities. If you need a bag that will carry multiple clothing items, especially those that are thicker, look for a deeper garment bag.
• Shoes are an important consideration. You might be able to get away with one pair of shoes if you’re just traveling overnight, but eventually, you’ll want to be able to take at least one extra pair of footwear with you on your trips.
• The zipper on garment bags can sometimes make closing and opening them tricky. Look closely at the zipper to make sure it will be easy to maneuver while also keeping everything sealed up tight while in transit.
• Garment bags typically come with at least one pocket. There may be internal pockets for toiletries and underwear, as well as an external pocket or two for storing items like passports and keys for easy access.
• If you’re traveling with your garment bag, you might want a luggage tag if an ID pocket isn’t built into the duffle bag. This will allow you to include a business card or your name and phone number so that someone can contact you if your bag gets lost in transit.
• Although garment bags can help keep your clothes wrinkle-free, there’s no guarantee. Your clothing can still bunch up as your bag is tossed around while you’re traveling. Some have found that leaving clothing in a dry-cleaning bag when packing can help keep those wrinkles at bay.
• Transporting your garment bag can be challenging, especially if you’re loaded down with other luggage. Look for one with carrying straps and handles to make this easy. Some even come with wheels.