The 6 Best Travel-Friendly Fabrics for a Wrinkle-Free Trip
Packing for a trip is always challenging, especially because you want to arrive at your destination looking stylish and polished—a nearly impossible task when all you’ve brought are easily wrinkled clothes. After all, who has time for steaming, ironing, or dry-cleaning when you have places to go and people to see? Luckily, the solution is simple. All you have to do is familiarise yourself with the best wrinkle-free fabrics, and keep these in mind next time you’re shopping or packing for a trip. Even fabrics that do have a tendency to wrinkle (i.e. cotton, rayon, and silk) are much less likely to when blended with one of the following.
Scroll down to read more, and to shop stylish travel-friendly pieces!
Not only will wool keep you warm and toasty in the winter, it’s incredibly wrinkle-resistant, making it a great option if you’re travelling somewhere chilly.
Lyocell is a semi-synthetic form of rayon, commonly referred to as its brand name, Tencel. It’s soft and strong, drapes well, is machine-washable, and, most importantly, resists wrinkling.
Polyester gets a bad rap, thanks to its ubiquitous ‘70s connotations, but it can be surprisingly soft and comfortable for a synthetic fabric. Even better: It’s affordable, durable, and wrinkle-resistant!
This luxury fabric is strong and warm yet lightweight and soft. If it appears wrinkly when taken out of your suitcase, just hang it or lay it flat for a bit. The creases should release.
Fun fact: Cashmere is a hair acquired from goats, not a wool as commonly assumed. Even more wrinkle-resistant is alpaca, which some are touting as the new cashmere.
Knit is technically classified as fabric made from interlocking loops of thread. It’s usually made of wool yarn, but some knits like jersey can be made of wool, cotton, and synthetic fibres. Thicker knits (and fabrics in general) are less wrinkle-prone than thin.
While we don’t exactly condone wearing anything entirely made of spandex, it tends to aid in wrinkle resistance when blended with other fabrics. It’s a durable synthetic fabric, also known as lycra or elastane.
Shop travel-friendly pieces:
Zara Shiny Velvet Dress ($80) in Navy BlueThis polyester-elastane-blend dress has major New Year’s Eve potential.
Equipment Sullivan Cashmere Cardigan ($318) in CamelA buttery camel cardigan is an investment you won’t regret.
Acne Studios Natifa Tencel Draped Dress ($290) in Forest GreenThis dress will resist wrinkles and take up minimal space in your suitcase.
Topshop Leopard Print Pelmet Skirt ($70)Wool and polyester combine to make one adorable miniskirt. We’re getting major Alexa Chung vibes.
J.Crew Curator Pants ($128) in NavyThese polyester pants will keep you comfortable and chic when travelling.
Rails Kendra Plaid Shirt ($128) in Garnet/BlackLyocell construction ensures that this plaid shirt will remain smooth and crisp in your suitcase. Bonus: Rails shirts are incredibly soft!
Madewell The Always Turtleneck Sweater ($98) in Heather Medium GreyThis grey wool turtleneck is guaranteed to be a staple in your closet and suitcase.
Reformation Meridian Dress ($138) in SpotlightTencel and spandex combine forces in this festive frock. Fact: Wrinkles are less noticeable on printed fabrics.
Related: Too Lazy to Iron? 5 Easy Ways to Unwrinkle Clothes
Mango Check-Pocket Tencel Shirt ($40)A chambray shirt that won’t wrinkle? Add it to cart!What’s your favourite travel-friendly fabric? Tell us in the comments below!
Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
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