The Best Garment Bags for Travel, Tested and Reviewed
Some trips, like business travel or destination weddings, require a more thoughtful packing strategy—and this is where the best garment bags come into play. You can't just toss an evening gown, bridesmaid dress, or suit in your carry-on and expect it to remain wrinkle-free. Plus you don't always have the space to pack a portable steamer—or the time to steam!—and not all hotels have an iron when you need one. Wrinkles aside, when packing speciality clothing items, you also want to limit the possibility of any liquids spilling in your suitcase and onto your clothes. A protective, high-quality garment bag you can trust to keep dresses and suits as stain- and crease-free as possible is a must-have for travelers headed to formal events.
There are plenty of options on the market, so to help narrow down a list of only the top-recommended garment bags, we asked our editors and frequent travelers for their personal picks. Whether you're headed to your best friend's beach wedding or prepping for your own honeymoon, these are the tried-and-true garment bags that will keep your favorite pieces of clothing wrinkle-free and in tip-top shape.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Samsonite Just Right garment carrier
Most functional bag
This is my personal favorite garment bag for vacations. When zipped and folded up like a briefcase, it looks pretty slim and feels lightweight. But don't be fooled—this thing is supremely functional. I can fit three formal dresses inside (a few more if they're lightweight summer dresses) and all of my accessories for the trip. What I love most about this nylon bag from Samsonite is how many thoughtful pockets it has. Inside, you'll find a few small zippered pockets for jewelry and hair accessories, two spacious shoe compartments for a pair of sandals or heels, and a hook to keep clothing items secure. The outside looks so sleek and features a zippered exterior pocket, top handle, and a long, adjustable shoulder strap so it can be easily carried. I love how it keeps everything for formal occasions organized and all in one place. This would be an ideal option to put your formalwear in for a cruise, too.
Dimensions: 16" x 2.3" x 22"
Weight: 3.4 lbs.Calpak Compakt large garment bag
Best for destination weddings
Several Condé Nast Traveler editors are big fans of Calpak luggage, and the brand's large garment bag's thoughtful features illustrate why: It's made of water-resistant nylon and is collapsible thanks to a tri-fold design, making it easy to pack right in your suitcase. Take it from a former bride herself—Traveler contributor Erika Owen used Calpak's large garment bag for her destination wedding in Iceland and swears by it. She says of the bag: “The pockets were so handy and allowed me to keep all of my tiny wedding essentials (hair pins, deodorant, jewelry) safe.” When you open up the garment bag, you'll find four mesh, zippered pockets for small essentials and two roomy pockets for shoes. There's also adjustable closure straps, an exterior pocket, and a top handle that makes it easy to hang on a closet or bathroom door. This one's perfect to keep everything you need for the big day all in one place and separate from the rest of what you packed.
Dimensions: 48" x 23"
Weight: 1.45 lbs.
Halfday The Garment Duffel
Best weekender bag
In theory, I love the idea of being someone who packs light, of exuding a vibe of low-maintenance ease. Plus, there's so much cool gear out there that speaks to that energy, like this hybrid garment-bag-duffel-bag by Halfday. It's a garment bag that removes the stress of folding clothes like suits and dresses, but offers the added functionality of transforming into a weekender and carrying all your other must-haves like a Dopp kit with all your skincare and, I guess, underwear. So I took the Halfday for a test drive on a weekend in the Bahamas, and I can confidently say that, though your mileage may vary, it's perfect for short trips. I was able to pack two suits, some shirts, a pair of jeans, and some, but not all, of my essentials; I still had to bring a carry-on suitcase onto the plane. (I also brought three pairs of shoes. I am not, it should be said, someone who packs light.) So if you don't need six outfit options for a two-night trip, this is a perfect fit for you on its own. As for me, give me a shout when they invent garment bags that turn into a trunk. —Matt Ortile, associate editor
Dimensions: 22" x 12" x 12"
Weight: 2.3 lbs.Monos Garment Sleeve
Best to fit in a carry-on
Another favorite of mine comes from Monos, one of our editors' go-to brands for chic and durable luggage. I turn to this slim, lightweight garment sleeve when I'm limited on packing space in my suitcase but still want to keep a special dress or two protected. It holds three pieces of clothing and can be folded down into the shape of a briefcase to fit neatly in a carry-on. (I've put it inside my Monos carry-on and still had room to put more clothes on top.) This one feels well-made and does a great job of preventing creases and wrinkles while in transit. I'd recommend this option for business travelers, wedding guests, or anyone short on space. I like the Check-In option for a little more room, but it's available in a Carry-On version, too.
Dimensions: 22.8" × 44.1" × 1.2"
Weight: 1.85 lbs.
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Away The Garment Bag
Best to attach to your suitcase
When we asked travel experts to share their favorite garment bag, the response we heard most often was Away's The Garment Bag. Lexie Alford, the youngest recorded person to travel to every country, has definitely picked up plenty of packing tips on her travels. She likes this garment bag from Away specifically because of how it can be easily strapped to her carry-on luggage. “Checking garment bags can be a pain at the airport, especially if you have expensive pieces,” she says. “It's great for peace of mind to keep them with you during long travel days.”
Fashion writer and Traveler contributor Samantha Crompton Merinder was a bride herself last year and also recommends this one. She says it fits three full-length dresses and that the exterior pockets kept her jewelry and accessories organized during transit. “It makes getting dressed virtually stress-free because your look is in one place upon arrival,” she says. Away's sleek garment bag is made of water-resistant material and features a convenient trolley sleeve.
Dimensions: 22.5" x 3.35" x 20.5"
Weight: 2.25 lbs. (without shoulder strap) | 2.7 lbs. (with shoulder strap)Modoker convertible garment bag with shoulder strap
Best Amazon find
A duffel bag and garment bag all in one, this convertible bag from Amazon can be used for all sorts of trips. When you're not using it as a classic garment bag to keep dresses and suits wrinkle-free, it doubles as a regular, tear-resistant weekender bag with a side compartment to store shoes and adjustable shoulder strap that makes it easy to carry. LNA Clothing co-founder Lauren Alexander loves this one for special occasions. “This convertible garment bag can fit so much stuff and is super affordable,” she says. “I have yet to find a name brand that makes one as good as this.” This waterproof duffel has plenty of smart features, like a trolley sleeve, detachable shoulder strap, handle buckle, and several small pockets for jewelry or other accessories.
Dimensions: 37.5" x 20.8" x 45"
Weight: 2.5 lbs.
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Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on rolling garment bag
Best rolling garment bag
It looks like a small carry-on, but it's actually a garment bag on wheels. Lara Kramer, Traveler's former global associate director of audience development, used this rolling garment carry-on for her honeymoon in Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro a few summers ago. While smaller than an average carry-on, Kramer told us it holds way more than you think. “I was able to pack a few nice dresses and my husband fit an entire suit, all of which remained wrinkle-free, which was a game changer,” she says. Kramer also loves that when you purchase this bag, it comes with a plan that covers the cost of repairs or damage from airlines for up to one year, including shipping costs. “Yes, this bag glides seamlessly through airports and is incredibly durable thanks to its nylon fabric with Duraguard coating, but the lay-flat garment bag design is the real gem of this carry-on," says Kramer.
Dimensions: 14" x 22" x 9.5"
Weight: 9.9 lbs.OOO Traveling garment bag
Best lightweight bag
Made of polyester, the OOO Traveling garment bag is super lightweight at just 0.8 ounces and has a full-length center zip closure that keeps your nicer items in pristine condition. Alison Bruhn, stylist and co-founder of The Style That Binds Us, likes that the garment bag can be folded inside a suitcase or folded in three sections and slipped over the retractable handle of your luggage. We also love the under-$70 price tag of this light-as-air bag.
Dimensions: 19" x 37.5"
Weight: 0.8 oz.
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Tumi garment cover
Best durable cover
If you're looking for a simple, no-frills garment bag that will last for years to come, look no further than Tumi's garment cover. This one checks all the boxes—it features a top carry handle, has a sturdy zip closure, and is long enough to fit a formal gown or men’s suit. Plus, this nylon garment cover is durable enough to reuse again and again. At just over one pound, this garment cover is lightweight and folds flat for easy packing.
Dimensions: 18" x 12.5" x 1"
Weight: 1.1 lbs.
