Travelling with a suit is part of modern life. Whether it’s for work, a formal event or a special occasion, transporting a tailored garment requires a little extra care to ensure it arrives looking as sharp as when it left home. Understanding how to care for a wool wedding suit — or any finely tailored wool suit — is essential to preserving its structure, finish and longevity.
Weddings in particular have become increasingly global affairs. From long weekends in the Hunter Valley, to celebrations along the Mid North Coast, to destination weddings in Europe or the Greek Islands, couples are travelling further than ever to say their vows. While locations may vary, one thing remains constant: your wedding suit needs care and consideration to look its best on the day.
Below, we share expert advice on how to care for a wool suit, so it arrives crease-free, comfortable and ready for the moment that matters most.
Why wool is the ideal suiting fabric
When it comes to longevity, comfort and ease of travel, understanding how to care for a wool wedding suit makes all the difference.
Wool is a natural performance fibre. It breathes, regulates temperature, resists odours and has an impressive ability to recover from creasing — making it ideal for all those moments when you need to look and feel sharp, whether you’re standing at the end of the aisle or presenting to a boardroom of colleagues.
“High-quality wool is remarkably resilient,” explains Andrew Rundle, Head Tailor at Rundle Tailoring. “If it’s packed correctly and given time to rest, it will often relax back into shape on its own.”
This is why wool remains the foundation of our Made-to-Measure suiting, for both men and women, but also why most of the ready-to-wear styles we stock are wool. They’re suitable to wear across all climates and settings.
RECOMMENDED: Five Suiting Trends To Know Before Your Destination Wedding.
Packing your suit for travel
One of the most important parts of how to care for a wool suit is correct packing, particularly when travelling. Whether you’re heading down the road or overseas, how you pack your suit matters.
Use a garment bag whenever possible
A garment bag is always the safest option when it comes to protecting the garment, particularly if you’re travelling by car or checking luggage. You should remove your suit from the garment bag upon arrival at your destination and hang it up in the wardrobe, allowing it to breathe. The golden rule? Never store suits in zipped-up garment bags in your wardrobe as they’ll get musty and mouldy. Garment bags are strictly for transporting.
Folding your suit in a suitcase
If a garment bag isn’t practical, careful folding is essential:
- Turn the jacket inside out through one shoulder so the lapels lie flat
- Fold gently in half lengthways, without sharp creases
- Place tissue paper or dry-cleaning plastic between folds to reduce friction
- Lay trousers flat with the crease aligned, folded once if needed
Position your suit on top of other items to minimise pressure.
Carry-on where possible
For flights, carrying your suit on board in the garment bag is ideal. Many airlines offer hanging space, but lying it carefully flat on top of other luggage in an overhead locker is a good option too.
GALLERY: A look at couples we’ve dressed for their destination weddings
How to care for a wool suit upon arrival
Another essential step in how to care for a wool suit is allowing it time to rest once you reach your destination.
Once you arrive at your destination, unpack your suit as soon as possible.
Hang it on a proper hanger and allow gravity and time to do their work. Steam from a warm shower can help release light creases — hang it in the bathroom when you have a shower; just ensure the suit doesn’t get wet.
“Patience is one of the best tools you have,” says Andrew. “Wool responds beautifully when it’s given time to rest.”
Avoid ironing your suit, and only steam if necessary. Be sure not to steam over the pressed seams which run down the front leg of the trousers – they’re a subtle but impactful way of completing the polished suit look.
How to keep your suit fresh on the day
Small details matter when it comes to how to care for a wool suit.
- If there’s a key moment for you, like a big presentation, a speech, or you’re saying “I do”, try to avoid wearing your jacket for long periods before necessary. Avoiding sitting in your suit before your moment in the spotlight to ensure the jacket will be crisp and photo-ready
- Keep food, makeup and fragrance away from the fabric. If you’re wearing perfume or cologne, spray it on your skin before getting dressed as the alcohols in the fragrance can discolour or damage the natural fibres
- Sit with your jacket unbuttoned to prevent creases and stress on the seams
Wool is forgiving, but mindful wear will keep it looking sharp for the duration of your event.
INSPIRATION: Sophie and Liam’s Picturesque Destination Wedding On The Coast Of Tasmania.
When it’s time to hang your suit back up
Proper storage is the final step in how to care for a wool suit and preserve it for years to come.
After you’ve worn it, gently spot clean any marks off and allow your suit to air before storing it. We recommend professional dry cleaning only when needed — over-cleaning can shorten the life of the garment. If you’re unsure whether your suit needs to be professionally cleaned, bring it in and let someone from our team take a look.
Store your suit by hanging it up in your wardrobe, away from direct sunlight and with enough space to maintain its shape.
Designed with expertise, made with care
At Rundle Tailoring, we believe a well-made suit should be built to travel, to last and to hold its shape across years of wear — not just a single occasion. With generations of tailoring knowledge behind us, our approach is grounded in craftsmanship, fabric expertise and an understanding of how garments perform in real life, whether they’re worn locally or taken across the world.
Our Made-to-Measure service for men and women is designed with versatility in mind. From business and formal suiting to special events, every garment is cut and constructed to suit the individual — their body, their lifestyle and how they intend to wear it. We’re a proudly inclusive space and welcome every client with the same care, respect and attention to detail.
Weddings, however, hold a special place in our work. We are honoured to be recognised as Australia’s #1 ABIA Designer of Dreams award winner for wedding suit fashion, dressing couples and wedding parties for one of the most meaningful days of their lives.
“Your wedding suit should feel like you,” says Bronwyn Rundle, Marketing Manager at Rundle Tailoring. “Wherever you’re celebrating, it should travel well, wear beautifully and hold meaning long after the day itself.”
From everyday tailoring to once-in-a-lifetime moments, thoughtful care ensures your suit arrives exactly as intended. It will be ready to be worn with confidence, wherever the journey takes you. Make an appointment with our team today.