Wrinkle-resistant clothing is ideal for making a travel experience easier and more streamlined. When your clothes don't crease, you can use compression organizers and ultimately pack more in your suitcase. And when it's time to get dressed, you won't need an iron or steamer. The most low-maintenance pieces are made of at least somewhat stretchy fabrics with flexible weaves that hold their shape. This allows you to roll or fold your clothes and even wear some items multiple times without worrying about them looking, well…worn. We've researched the best wrinkle-resistant clothing for travel, from versatile tops and bottoms to dresses, jumpsuits, and outerwear. Our Top Picks Best Long-sleeve Shirt: Best Versatile Top: Everlane The Supima Micro-rib Scoop-neck Tee at Everlane.com ($40) Best Tank Top: Best T-shirt Dress: Cozy Earth Brushed Bamboo Midi Dress at Cozy Earth (See Price) Why We Love It This stretchy, moisture-wicking, endlessly versatile button-down can be worn as-is, layered over another shirt, or used as a swimsuit cover-up. What to Consider It's technically a hiking shirt but can also work for travel days and most casual outings. Columbia's Boundless Trek Shirt is the perfect button-down for travel — I was glad to have it with me on my last trip. It's made of a stretchy, wrinkle-resistant blend of polyester and elastane. Beyond that, the fabric draws sweat away from your body, repels stains, and even offers UPF 50 protection from the sun. It's technically a hiking shirt, but I think it's ideal for travel days, sightseeing, shopping, and other casual outings as well. Thanks to the long length and relaxed fit, I was able to wear it both as-is and layer it over tanks and tees. You could even use it as a swimsuit cover-up. I also appreciate that there's a front chest pocket and a hidden internal pocket that fits an ID, credit card, or room key. The Details: XS to 2X | Polyester, recycled nylon, elastane Why We Love It The Ascent Seamless Top is ultra-soft, lightweight, and breathable, with a close-to-body fit that makes it a great base layer. What to Consider It's 42 percent wool so it may be best for cooler temperatures. Athleta's Ascent Seamless Top is just the thing for travel. This long-sleeve shirt is woven from a blend of nylon, merino wool, and spandex. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant, lightweight, and oh-so-soft, while the close-to-body fit makes for a great base layer. Since the wool content adds warmth, it might be best for cooler weather — but wool is a temperature-regulating material, so you probably won't overheat. The mesh-like back panels and pointelle strip down the front offer breathability, too. Wool is also naturally antimicrobial, meaning it repels odor-causing bacteria. The Details: XXS to XL | Nylon, merino wool, spandex Why We Love It This classic tee can be dressed up or down, worn as a base layer, and rocked with jeans, pleated shorts, athleisure wear – you name it. What to Consider It's a slim fit and runs slightly small, so consider ordering a size up. Everyone's idea of the perfect T-shirt is different, but if you ask us, this one from J.Crew checks all the boxes. You get the lightweight, easy-breezy feel of linen (which, yes, is known for wrinkling) with the flexible crease resistance of polyester and elastane. This crewneck tee can be worn with just about anything — we're talking jeans, trousers, shorts, or athleisure. You can rock the T-shirt on its own and dress it up or down by layering it under a flannel or blazer. Just a heads up, it runs a little small, and since it's a slim fit, you may want to order a size up from what you normally wear. The Details: XXS to 3X | Linen, polyester, elastane Why We Love It The sleeve length, neckline, and silhouette make it easy to pair with laid-back, professional, and dressier attire. What to Consider Even though it's ribbed, the material is somewhat thin. With elbow-length sleeves, a sophisticated scoop neck, and a slim (but not too tight) fit, this is the ideal in-between shirt for travel. The versatile design can be worn in transitional weather and dressed up with professional attire or down with jeans or linen shorts. You can also layer it under a blazer, cardigan, or button-down. This shirt is primarily Supima cotton, a supremely breathable and naturally moisture-resistant fiber, with a small amount of elastane woven in for stretch and wrinkle resistance. Even though it's ribbed, the fabric is a bit thin. It's not sheer, though, and long-staple cotton like Supima is much more durable than regular cotton. The Details: XS to 2X | Supima cotton, elastane Why We Love It This crease-resistant, packable blouse works for professional ensembles and casual outfits alike. What to Consider It may arrive slightly wrinkled from the packaging but will relax after washing. We're also big fans of this blouse. The fabric promises reliable wrinkle resistance, so you can fold it, roll it, or compress it into a packing cube without worrying about creases. It's also very accessibly priced and comes in nearly 30 colors and prints, ranging from neutrals to florals to bolder hues. The sleeveless, slightly flowy design can be tucked into dress pants and layered under a blazer or cardigan. You could also wear it with jeans, either untucked or with a French tuck (just in the front). The Details: S to 2X | Polyester Why We Love It Banana Republic's low-maintenance yet luxurious Fern Sweater is breathable, lightweight, and packable with a modern silhouette. What to Consider The boxy cut may be hard to tuck into lower-rise pants. Our favorite packable, low-maintenance travel sweater comes from Banana Republic. You'll get the lightweight breathability of linen, plus the wrinkle resistance of viscose rayon. The material is super soft and drapey with a luxurious feel. This sweater has a classic crewneck, raglan-style shoulders, a relaxed fit, and a boxier cut. We love the modern silhouette, but bear in mind tucking it into low-rise pants might be tricky. The Details: XXS to 2X | Linen, viscose rayon Why We Love It This tank makes an excellent undershirt or sleeveless top for warm weather, and you can count on the stretchy material to resist wrinkling in your suitcase. What to Consider It's on the longer side and falls past the hip. This tank from L.L.Bean is the best of both worlds. It's 95 percent cotton, so you can bet it's breathable, moisture-wicking, soft, and gentle against the skin. Since cotton is known to wrinkle in the wash, the remaining 5 percent is spandex. The result? A stretchy sleeveless top you can roll as tightly as you want when packing your suitcase. The cut is on the longer side for easy tucking and a little extra cover when wearing it with form-fitting bottoms, like yoga pants or bike shorts. Since this tank top is so reasonably priced, you might consider getting it in multiple colors. The Details: XS to 3X | Cotton, spandex Why We Love It It never needs ironing, repels funky smells, dries quickly, and can be worn in multiple seasons. What to Consider The brand suggests laying flat to dry rather than tossing it in the dryer. Unbound Merino's aptly named Travel Dress is woven mostly from merino wool, with small amounts of nylon and spandex for durability, stretch, and extra wrinkle resistance that never needs ironing. I own one myself and can attest to these qualities. The sturdy yet soft and flexible material also repels odors and dries quickly. Since it doesn't harbor funky smells, I've worn this dress multiple times while traveling without having to wash it — meaning I could pack fewer items. The sleeveless, midi style is great for warm locales, but you can also layer it under a sweater, blazer, or jean jacket. The Details: XS to XL | Merino wool, nylon, spandex Why We Love It This short-sleeve dress makes outfit planning easy while resisting creases and keeping you comfy all day. What to Consider The fabric is on the heavier side, but it's still plenty breathable. I love traveling with this T-shirt dress from Cozy Earth. The short sleeves, crew neckline, and midi length are just right for casual outings, while the knee-high side slits give me a full range of movement. Plus, as a one-and-done ensemble, packing and outfit planning for trips are much easier. This wrinkle-resistant dress is woven from bamboo-derived viscose, acrylic, and spandex. The fabric is on the heavier side, but I find this helps prevent creases. I also appreciate that it's totally opaque yet still plenty breathable. The Details: XS to 3X | Bamboo viscose, acrylic, spandex Why We Love It With a jogger feel and a tailored-trouser look, these pants are incredibly stretchy and wrinkle-proof. What to Consider There are no belt loops, and the 7/8 cut is supposed to fall around the ankle but may be full-length for shorter people. Lululemon's Utilitech Trousers are made of an exceptionally stretchy fabric that's not just resistant to creases but is actually entirely wrinkle-proof. But on account of the twill texture, pleats, back darts, and welt pockets, they look just like tailored dress pants to the untrained eye. With a mid-rise waist, a slightly relaxed fit, and straight-meets-wide legs, these travel pants have a modern look without being too trendy. We also like that there's a hidden card slot in one of the front pockets. The Details: 0 to 14 | Elastomultiester, cotton, elastane Why We Love It These pull-on shorts are super comfy yet functional, with pockets, belt loops, and a built-in tummy shaper. What to Consider The color may transfer onto lighter materials before the first wash. These shorts from Spanx are a wise choice for travel. The fabric is more than 50 percent cotton for softness and breathability, while rayon, polyester, and elastane provide stretchiness and crease resistance. In true Spanx fashion, there's a built-in tummy shaper that helps smooth your midsection. With no zippers or buttons, the pull-on style is convenient and incredibly comfy. Meanwhile, the belt loops and front and back pockets deliver functionality where you need it. The garment dye is supposed to fade over time for a worn-in look, but it might transfer onto other fabrics or materials before the first wash. The Details: XS to 3X | Cotton, rayon, polyester, elastane Why We Love It The Maria Knit Skirt is light, breathable, and stretchy, with an adjustable rise and a side slit for freedom of movement. What to Consider It's only available in black but is still notably versatile. This skirt is made primarily of Tencel lyocell with a bit of spandex woven in. Sourced from wood pulp, lyocell is breathable, lightweight, and, most importantly, resistant to wrinkles. The jersey-knit fabric is soft, airy, and comfortable — everything you want in travel clothes. Though it only comes in black, the Maria Skirt is undeniably versatile. The ultra-stretchy, tube-style design can be worn high-waisted, mid-rise, or low rise, giving you flexibility when curating outfits. We also like that there's a side slit to allow movement with the maxi length. The Details: XS to XL | Tencel lyocell, spandex Why We Love It These editor-approved pants are light, stretchy, crease-resistant, and remarkably comfortable. What to Consider It's an ankle-length cut and runs large, so think about ordering a size down. When it comes to comfy clothes for travel days, padding around your rental, lounging on vacation, or even working out, Vuori's Performance Joggers are hard to beat. Made of the brand's DreamKnit fabric, these Travel + Leisure editor-tested and -approved pants are stretchy, lightweight, remarkably soft, and wildly comfortable. More to the point, the polyester-elastane blend is wrinkle-resistant. These best-selling joggers are ankle-length, but there's also a full-length version. We should note that the relaxed fit runs a bit large, so think about ordering a size down from what you usually wear unless you prefer a slouchier look. The Details: XS to 2X | Recycled polyester, elastane Why We Love It Beyond being wrinkle-resistant, the Fleetwith Jumpsuit is quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and stretchy with five functional pockets. What to Consider A jumpsuit might not be ideal to wear on travel days. We love jumpsuits for travel because they're a whole outfit in a single piece of clothing — except maybe on a plane when you want to be able to easily go to the bathroom. This one from Patagonia offers next-level convenience with a fabric that can be tightly rolled or compactly folded without sustaining creases. The polyester-spandex blend is moisture-resistant and quick-drying, while the stretchy quality and side slits on the pant hems allow you to move freely. Other standout features include front and back pockets, a hidden zippered pocket, and a drawcord waist for an adjustable fit. The Details: XXS to 2X | Polyester, spandex Why We Love It Promising never to wrinkle while keeping odors at bay, this travel-friendly blazer can be worn with professional, dressy, and casual outfits. What to Consider Meant to be worn open, it doesn't button or clasp in the middle. Blazers are great to have on trips, easily dressing up and adding warmth to any outfit. Plus, they're appropriate to wear both inside and outdoors. We're particularly fond of this one from Quince, which promises never to wrinkle while the antibacterial material keeps odors at bay. The smooth fabric has a drapey quality that lends to a polished yet laid-back appearance. It's meant to be worn open so the shawl collar and pointed front hems fall just right. This blazer is versatile enough to wear with tailored pants, pleated shorts, jeans, or even athleisure wear — think yoga pants and chunky sneakers. The Details: XS to XL | Polyester, recycled polyester Why We Love It This wrinkle-free jacket has eye-catching details while still being versatile, practical, and extremely comfortable. What to Consider Consider sizing up if you plan to layer it over more than a thin shirt. Aday is a stellar place to shop for wrinkle-resistant, packable travel clothes. We can't get enough of the Up In The Air Jacket, a biker-inspired coat with a dramatically oversized collar, an asymmetrical front-zip closure, and a subtle sheen. Crafted from recycled polyester and elastane, the scuba material is thick and sturdy yet lightweight and breathable. It's also resistant to pilling, sweat-wicking, quick-drying, and (notably) wrinkle-free. The Details: XS to XL | Recycled polyester, elastane When buying wrinkle-resistant clothing for travel, pay close attention to the material makeup. The most crease-resistant fabrics are synthetic or semi-synthetic, like polyester, rayon, viscose, and Tencel lyocell. Stretchy fibers, such as spandex and elastane, can also help with smoothness and packability. Cotton and linen tend to be the most wrinkle-prone, but these naturally breathable textiles can be blended with other fibers to make them wrinkle-resistant. Wool and cashmere can be good options, too, particularly in jersey fabrics or knitted weaves. A clothing item claiming to be wrinkle-resistant doesn't necessarily mean it's 100 percent wrinkle-proof — especially when compressed in a suitcase. With this in mind, we recommend doing a test run before your trip. Fold up each item ahead of time and leave it for at least a few hours to see how it looks onced unfolded. Concerned about creases? Think about packing a travel steamer — or even just a wrinkle-release spray if you're short on suitcase space — just in case. Frequently Asked Questions Is it better to fold or roll clothes to reduce wrinkles? When it comes to preventing wrinkles, rolling your clothes might be best because it sidesteps any sharp bends that may result in creases. However, it depends on the garment and how tightly you roll it. For instance, a tightly rolled long-sleeve starchy shirt might unroll to reveal big creases, and a carefully folded knit sweater may do just fine placed on the uppermost layer of your main suitcase compartment. How do I wash wrinkle-resistant clothing? It depends on the material and clothing item. But generally speaking, you can machine wash wrinkle-resistant clothes on a delicate or regular cycle with warm or cold water, then tumble dry them on low heat. To prevent pilling, shrinking, and misshaping the garment, you can also hang it or lay it flat to air dry. When in doubt, go with the brand's care instructions, which you can find on the tag or product webpage. T+L contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in apparel, accessories, lifestyle, and travel. She knows how to find the best clothing for any occasion and has personally tried multiple garments featured here. The 13 Best Travel Clothing Brands of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.Best Button-down
Columbia Women's Boundless Trek Layering Long Sleeve Shirt
Best T-shirt
J.Crew Stretch Linen-blend Crewneck T-shirt
Best Dress
Unbound Merino Travel Dress
Tips for Buying Wrinkle-resistant Clothing for Travel
Choose the right materials
Do a test run before packing
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FAQs
The Best Wrinkle-resistant Clothing for Travel Is Packable, Wearable, and Fuss-free? ›
Tips for Buying Wrinkle-resistant Clothing for Travel
What is the best wrinkle-free travel material? ›Nylon: Nylon is a great fabric for wrinkle resistance because of its complex weave. Known for its strength and elasticity, it's also fast-drying and lightweight. Nylon blends also provide ample stretch and resist wrinkles as you travel.
What is the best clothing for travel? ›Though fabrics like spandex, fleece, and denim have plenty of benefits, they're not quite as breathable. What types of clothes are best to travel in? Generally soft, stretchy, and loose-fitting clothing is best for travel, as it'll keep you comfy and won't feel restrictive on long flights or drives.
What is the most wrinkle-free material? ›Polyester is the quintessential wrinkle-free fabric. If we refer to a fabric that does not wrinkle, polyester is one of the best known for this characteristic, in addition to demonstrating great durability, ductility, practicality and quality, since it is easy to clean and does not lose its size.
What is the difference between wrinkle-free and wrinkle-resistant? ›The short answer is, nothing: each describes a garment that has been processed and treated to resist wrinkling in a normal wash cycle.
How do you fold clothes so they don't wrinkle when traveling? ›Roll and place in your suitcase. When folding a dress shirt for travel, fold the sleeves over on the back and then fold the shirt in half to form a rectangle. Roll the rectangle from bottom to top. This technique is straightforward, prevents wrinkles, and saves space.
Are there clothes that don't wrinkle? ›The most crease-resistant fabrics are synthetic or semi-synthetic, like polyester, rayon, viscose, and Tencel lyocell. Stretchy fibers, such as spandex and elastane, can also help with smoothness and packability.
What is the most comfortable outfit to wear on a plane? ›If you're flying overnight, it's important to be able to get a few hours of sleep. But that doesn't mean you should put on the same pajamas you would wear at home. Opt for loungewear, which looks as appropriate in public as it does in bed. “A nice pair of modal cotton sweats or a harem pant is acceptable,” says Caris.
What is the best fabric for traveling? ›Many people shy away from these fabrics, but nylon and polyester work well for travel clothing. Other than being wrinkle-free, they're both quick-drying fabrics, so if you have to hand wash your clothes while travelling, they will be pretty dry when it's time to pack or wear the next morning.
What should I wear on a long distance flight? ›When it comes to long-haul flights, comfort should be your top priority. Opt for comfortable, breathable clothing that allows for a range of movement. Layers, comfortable shoes, compression socks, and a scarf or wrap are also great options.
Can 100% cotton be wrinkle free? ›
Despite its comfort, softness, and moistureabsorbing capability, cotton wrinkles very easily. The way people like to avoidwrinkles on their skin, they do not want it on their clothes either. To makecotton clothes wrinkle free it needs to be blended with other synthetic fibreslike polyester.
What fabric cannot be ironed? ›Spandex & lyrca
Spandex and lycra are even easier to melt than polyester, so you shouldn't iron materials made from these fabrics. The good news is that they almost never need ironing in the first place. Spandex and lycra are so stretchy and form-fitting that no wrinkles will show when you wear clothes made from them.
No linen shirt is ever fully “wrinkle-free,” said Olie Arnold, style director at e-retailer Mr Porter. But thanks to a few fabrication tweaks, today's linen-blend shirts wrinkle less than their 100% linen predecessors.
What is the best type of anti-wrinkle? ›Benefits of BOTOX: As the oldest and most popular anti-wrinkle treatment options, BOTOX provides numerous advantages including: Short, non-invasive procedure. Minimal side effects.
How do you stay wrinkle-free? ›- Protect your skin from the sun every day. ...
- Apply self-tanner rather than get a tan. ...
- If you smoke, stop. ...
- Avoid repetitive facial expressions. ...
- Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. ...
- Drink less alcohol. ...
- Exercise most days of the week. ...
- Cleanse your skin gently.
Shirts with wool woven into them resist wrinkles very well, while 100% linen or cotton/linen blends are naturally more wrinkle-prone. Fabrics made from synthetic materials with inherent resilience, like nylon and spandex, are very wrinkle resistant as well.
What is the sustainable fabric that doesn't wrinkle? ›Natural fabrics like cotton and linen are not wrinkle-resistant. However, wool is one natural fiber that is wrinkle-resistant. Other wrinkle-free fabric options are synthetic materials like nylon, spandex, and acrylic.
Which fabric fibers are generally wrinkle-free? ›Synthetics like polyester, nylon, acrylic and olefin, have a natural resistance to wrinkles and a greater stability since they do not absorb water as efficiently.