How Do You Keep From Looking Like You Slept in Your Clothes?
 

I usually try to take wrinkle-free clothing but this trip I really would like to take some of my linen pants and jackets but I don't want to look like I slept in my clothes for two weeks. Any ideas for keeping linen looking half-way decent?

I often pack my linen clothes in layers of tissue paper, then carefully pack them inside those enormous Ziplock bags. So far, this has worked pretty well.

linen wrinkles period. If you dont like that look dont bring linen or make sure you are staying in a place where you have access to an iron.

Take your linen pants and place them length ways ( pant legs together) in suitcase with top half of pants outside the case. Layer sweaters, shirts etc. on top, then fold rest of pant leg across these garments. For jackets,place bottom half of jacket in case,then once again layer articles of clothing on top, then fold sleeves and top half of jacket over clothing( same as you did with pants). This usually works for me.

Also use the steam from shower to help eliminate wrinkles.

Personally, I'd only take one linen outfit...too much trouble to try and manage more.

The steaming in the shower thing workds fairly well.

But a better idea is to get a linen blend. There are a bunch out there that look good and have only about 10% of the wrinkling of 100% linen. I also do silk for evening things - since that falls right back into place with a little steam.

I take alot of linen. The trick is to only take simple shapes. after towel rolling to take out excess water, I shape it back like my husband's long shorts or my tops and pants and sit on them to make the crease and hang to dry.

Many years ago, a very fashion-savvy friend told me about linen that "smooth skin & wrinkled clothes" was fine.

I just don't sleep in my clothes.

LOL, Carrybean!

Wise friend.

Thanks for all the good tips. I think I will (as suggested) only take one linen outfit this trip to see how it goes.

Linen is just not a good travel fabric. Even if you press slacks, a jacket, right before wearing, they'll look like to slept in them as soon as you sit down and get up, or drop your arms.

There are amazing synthetics/blends, that look just like linen, silk, but don't create/hold wrinkles.

I gave up on linen entirely when I passed a woman coming out of the rest room at a really fancy restaurant with what looked like a very expensive linen suit that looked like she had slept in it for a month.

I have brought linen when traveling. If you pack carefully, unpack and hang it when you arrive, your body heat will take care of the remaining wrinkles. At least that was my experience.

I don't know I like linen when in Italy when it is hot weather. And most of my friends in Italy wear linen also. In fact all of the summer dresses I have purchased in Italy are 100% linen. Linen is cool to wear on a hot day. Wrinkles of course are expected. But that only means it is 100% linen. I guess Cigalechanta and I are perhaps the only ones that love linen?

Nope, you are not alone, LoveItaly. I love linen too.

If you wear linen, a bit of wrinkles are to be expected, it's just the look!

Like Carrybean's friend said, it's better than wrinkles on our faces! (Although I have a bit of that also, though I refer to them as laugh lines!)
:S-

Linen is only a good travel fabric IF you are willing to wear it & like the look of it wrinkled. Just wear it wrinkled and it kind of becomes part of the fashion. If you can't get behind that idea, leave it home.

I did notice TravelSmith was using a new fake linen that was a blend of a number of fabrics including some Spandex, which could be interesting.

LoveItaly- I also love the look of 100% linen fabric, I just don't think I'm classy enough to pull it off myself
;-)

<<I don't know I like linen when in Italy when it is hot weather. And most of my friends in Italy wear linen also. In fact all of the summer dresses I have purchased in Italy are 100% linen. Linen is cool to wear on a hot day. Wrinkles of course are expected. But that only means it is 100% linen. I guess Cigalechanta and I are perhaps the only ones that love linen?>>

No, you're not. I love linen in summer weather and don't care if it wrinkles -- it's cool and comfortable and is going with me on my next two trips.

Good linen in SIMPLE shapes ae a breeze, I drip dry them and "Press the seams and collars with my fingers. And everyone thinks I ironed them.

Count me in as someone who loves linen. I pack it, shake it out, smooth it a little, and enjoy to the max wearing it. So comfortable and classy. Having said that, I don't think I'd wear pure linen on a transatlantic flight.

I love linen too, had have a small travel Rowenta hand-steamer that I take along with me sometimes. It works wonders on even heavy wrinkles!