Garment Bags
Have Clothes, Will Travel
If you're traveling "light" or for a short time, a garment bag is a better choice than a suitcase. Garment bags range in price from about $50 up to almost $500, and are available in a full range of styles and colors. Here are a few basic types:
- Rolling: Wheeled bags were first popularized by airplane pilots and crew, but have filtered down to the mainstream. These bags have built-in wheels and extendable handles. They can be a little heavier because they are intended to be rolled instead of carried. Some of the more compact styles can be brought onto the plane, but more often they serve as a lighter, more convenient version of the traditional suitcase. If your bag has a built-in rack for hangers, be sure you have enough of them. Specialty travel stores often stock extra hangers as well as other travel needs.
- Carry-on: The lightest form of garment bag is designed to be carried on an airplane or train where it can be stowed using a minimum of space. They are usually made of strong yet thin materials such as nylon or canvas and have no frame, handle, or wheels. They may have a bi-fold or tri-fold design with short or loop handles to make them easy to carry and store. These bags are perfect for short business trips when you only need to pack one or two changes of clothes. Since they are carry-on bags, they're convenient when transferring flights and time is at a premium. Better quality, light garment bags will have adjustable, detachable, and/or padded shoulder straps, clasps to secure the ends of the bag when folded, and a way to secure the zipper with a small lock.
- Dress Bags and Garment Covers: These are protective covers which still need to be packed for travel. They're commonly used to store and preserve longer articles of clothing like dresses and gowns, or to transport clothing in a car.
It's in the Bag
Be sure to consider any special features that you'll need. If you'll be putting your bag through an airline's baggage check system, then secure locks are essential. Make sure the material and the zippers can stand up to anything a baggage handler can throw at them. Another thing to consider if you think your bag is in for a rough ride is to choose nylon or vinyl instead of canvas or suede. Leather may look good and it's tough, but it can also be heavy. If you're using a garment bag to hold your shirts and suits, you may want it to piggy-back along with your suitcase by attaching to the handle. Lastly, a good garment bag should last you a lifetime. Most fine garment bags come with a lifetime warranty.
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