I’m on a trip right now and I hate packing large bags when flying. I just don’t trust checking my luggage. Plus, carrying a heavy bag while trying to catch your transfer isn’t fun.
So, I carry my briefcase and a small weekend bag for most trips. I stuff it with the usual — shirts, socks, an extra tie and of course underwear — but there is one thing I don’t try to pack away: my suit.
Instead, I prefer to travel while wearing it. While most fliers like to wear “relaxed” clothing, I think wearing the suit makes more sense. You don’t have to fold it up and worry about setting it aside to let the wrinkles fall out. The extra pockets are great for carrying your stuff, like tickets, phone and wallet.
Typically, I wouldn’t recommend wearing the same suit several days in a row. But if it’s for the occasional trip, the convenience of not having to pack anything but a shirt a day can’t be beat.
If you’re worried about creases in your suit from sitting for several hours in an airplane seat, I haven’t found it to be too much of a problem if you place your suit on a hangar and let it hang in the shower with hot water running to steam the wrinkles out. It should only take 10-15 minutes.
If you can get away with it and your trip is short enough, try traveling light and in a suit.
-Kiyoshi