A good trip starts with the suitcase. And in a gentleman’s suitcase one garment changes everything: the shirt. Well chosen and well folded, it arrives ready for a meeting, a dinner or a walk by the sea.
Choose the right fabric
Oxford is the perfect travel companion: its basket weave is sturdy, hides creases and looks good with or without a jacket. For warm destinations, linen is cool and breathable; its natural creasing is part of its charm. Poplin, being finer, needs a little more care, but it is unbeatable in the city.
How to fold it so it arrives crease-free
Button the first, third and last buttons. Lay the shirt face down, fold each side towards the centre with the sleeve running along the side, and fold the tail in two or three, depending on the size of your case. Pack it collar up, between softer garments, and fill the collar with a pair of rolled socks so it keeps its shape.
Three tricks for the hotel
When you arrive, hang it near a hot shower: the steam relaxes creases in a few minutes. If there is an iron, use it with the shirt slightly damp. And rotate your shirts each day: the fabric rests and lasts longer.
The perfect four-day suitcase
Two Oxford shirts, one linen or poplin shirt, a V-neck jumper for the evening, a pair of neutral chinos and three pairs of socks. A few garments that go together and travel well.
Pack your case: Oxford, poplin and linen shirts and chinos.
