Are you planning a trip for a special occasion? Destination weddings, fundraising galas, and black tie events all need a specific clothes attire that doesn’t normally travel well. Even if the event is 2 days after your arrival, you don’t want to trust that the airline can deliver your checked bag safely to you.
Check out our list of the best credit card welcome bonuses here.
Even though packing your formal wear in a carry on seems odd, it’s actually very possible if you follow the tips below.
1. The Crunch Test
For men, this is much easier compared to ladies attire for a formal event. Ladies will need a dress that travels well. Be sure to test the fabric by grabbing it in your hand and making a fist, then crush the material. Usually, the less wrinkles you see after release, the better the dress is for traveling.
Tip: Jacquards, velvets, crepe satins, silks, and tulle travel well. Taffeta, cotton, sateen, and embellishments don’t travel well.
2. Plan Your Outfits
Normally, when you have limited space like a carry-on bag, you will want to pack what you need. Be sure that you know what you’re going to wear and when throughout the trip. Try on the outfits, make sure you like the way it looks before packing it. Additionally, it wouldn’t hurt to pack an extra outfit just in case.
Tip: Pack clothes that you wear all the time. Chances are, you’ll want to wear these staple outfits on your trip as well.
3. Limit the Liquids
You’ll have to stay under the TSA’s liquid limit, but you want to go for something lower than that. Be sure that 2 or 3 items don’t max out your liquid allowance. If you’re going on a small trip, you won’t need two-ounces of product. Rather, just use a small sample-size liquid container, extra contact cases, or pill organizers.
Tip: Pack a foundation stick and solid perfume rather than the liquid forms.
4. Wear Big & Heavy Items to the Airport
Don’t put the heaviest and biggest items like: boots, jackets, etc. in your carry-on. It’s a better idea to wear them instead, except maybe not your biggest pair of shoes.
5. Pack Strategically
If you’re a folder or roller or a little bit of both, you will want to pack strategically. Put your formal clothes in a garment bag and fold it down flat to maximize the space in your carry-on. Then, put it in the center of your carry-on as the last item before closing your bag.
Tip: Use a hard-sided rolling carry-on to protect your formal wear from being crushed.
6. Bring a Big Personal Bag
Carriers tend to be more forgiving when it comes to personal bags. Just as long as it meets the size requirements and fits under the seat in front of you, you’ll be fine. Just pack anything you cannot fit into your carry-on such as: weird shaped items and things you’ll need on your flight.
7. Use the Airplane Closet
Protect your formal wear from wrinkles and other problems when you hang it in the plane closet. Remember, not all airplanes come with closets, and you’ll have to ask the flight crew to hang it for you. It’s not their obligation to accommodate you, so be sure to be courteous and ask nicely.
BONUS TIP: Pack a Travel Credit Card
Normally, when you travel, it’s crucial to carry the right credit card in your wallet. You’ll be able to earn perks and rewards when you use this credit card on your travels. Here are some recommended cards to carry from our Best Travel Credit Cards guide:
 The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM • 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries • 2x on all other travel purchases • 1x on all other purchases • $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027. Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase TravelSM This card carries a $95 annual fee. |
 The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time bonus of 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel. You're able to earn: • 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection This card does come with a $95 annual fee. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees and receive up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✔®. |
 The Platinum Card® from American Express offers 125,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. • 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts(R) or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card(R). The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay. • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required. • With American Express Global Lounge Collection you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder. • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month. • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card. • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues. • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required. This card comes with a $695 annual fee.¤ (See Rates & Fees), but you cardholders can enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only. Terms Apply. |
Additional Guides
Here are some extra guides to help you find the best credit card suited for your needs.
- Best Airline Credit Cards for Travel Benefits and Rewards.
- Hotel Credit Cards for Travel Benefits + Rewards.
- Travel Credit Cards: Rewards and Benefits.
- Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards for Family Vacations.
- Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Best Rewards Credit Cards: Cash, Points, Miles, & Benefits
- Cash Back Credit Cards: Welcome Bonuses, Rewards
- Best Dining Credit Cards: Restaurant Points, Rewards & Cash Back
- Grocery Credit Cards: Co-Branded, Cashback & Rewards
- Best Small Business Credit Cards: Points, Miles & Rewards
 |
 |
Conclusion
Now, you know the tips to packing your formal wear when you go on a trip. These tips will help you maximize the little space you have in a small suitcase, and how to keep your clothes organized and wrinkle-free.
