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The Best Wrinkle-resistant Clothing Pieces for Travel

This is the wrinkle-resistant clothing we’re packing for every trip.

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The Best Wrinkle-resistant Clothing Pieces for Travel
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Travel + Leisure / Alli Waataja

Take it from someone who avoids ironing (and even steaming) whenever possible — wrinkle-resistant clothing is ideal for streamlining a travel experience. When I know my clothes won't crease, I can use compression organizers and ultimately pack more in my suitcase.

It's not just for trips, either. To me, wrinkle-resistant clothing is time-saving clothing, and I can always use the few extra minutes saved by not fretting about rumples and crinkles.

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. Other options feature ribbed fabrics or knitted weaves that conceal or just inherently don't hold wrinkles.

These are the best wrinkle-resistant clothing pieces for travel, from versatile tops and bottoms to dresses, jumpsuits, and outerwear.

Why We Love It
  • The crew neckline and slim silhouette make it easy to pair with laid-back, professional, and dressier attire.

What to Consider
  • The lighter colors may be more sheer.

If you're looking for a basic tee for travel that's not too casual and works with many outfits, this is the one. 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 tuck it in, leave it untucked, and 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. The ribbed structure helps prevent creases while retaining the shape. Just a heads up, the fabric may be more sheer with the lighter colors, in which case you might want to wear a camisole underneath.

The Details: XXS to 2X | Supima cotton, elastane

Best Long-sleeve Shirt

Athleta In Motion Seamless Top

Athleta In Motion Seamless Top
PHOTO: Athleta
Why We Love It
  • This shirt is all at once cozy and breathable with built-in sun protection and a seamless weave that won't wrinkle.

What to Consider
  • It's made for working out but absolutely works as a casual top.

I'm also fond of this long-sleeve tee from Athleta. With UPF 40 sun protection and perforated airflow, the cozy yet breathable design is ideal when traveling to colder climates, in transitional weather, and on high-elevation hikes.

As for wrinkle prevention, the seamless weave and stretchy fabric keep creases at bay while maintaining the semi-fitted shape.

The Details: XXS to XL | Recycled nylon, polyester, elastane

Why We Love It
  • This stretchy, moisture-wicking, endlessly versatile button-down can be worn as-is, layered over another shirt, or even used as a swimsuit cover-up.

What to Consider
  • It's technically a hiking shirt but would 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 my 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, too. Thanks to the long length and relaxed fit, I was able to wear it both as-is and layered 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, elastane

Why We Love It
  • This drapey shirt not only won't wrinkle but also draws sweat away from your body and dries super fast.

What to Consider
  • Since it's 100 percent polyester, it may not be the most breathable.

This silky satin blouse flaunts a glossy sheen that adds elegance to travel looks while making a subtle statement. It can be worn to work events, out to dinner, or to the office with dress pants, jeans, or a skirt.

The smooth, drapey material is pretty much guaranteed not to wrinkle, so you can pack it tightly in your suitcase without a second thought. Since it's 100 percent polyester, the fabric may not be very breathable, but the shirt has quick-drying technology that promises to instantly absorb sweat and draw moisture away from your body twice as fast as cotton.

The Details: XXS to 2X | Recycled polyester

Why We Love It
  • Available in 25 colors, this blazer can be worn all four seasons with business-casual and streetwear looks alike.

What to Consider
  • The cut is supposed to be slightly oversized, but you can size down if you want it a bit more fitted.

A blazer is a seasonless outerwear piece I often pack for trips. This one is great to pack in a suitcase, as the slightly stretchy synthetic fabric blend repels creases. Plus, the price is really decent, and it comes in 25 colors.

I'd wear it with business-casual looks, such as tailored trousers and a blouse. This blazer would also work for laid-back ensembles with jeans or even leggings and sneakers. The cut is somewhat long and purposefully a bit oversized, but if you prefer something more fitted, consider sizing down.

The Details: XS to 2X | Polyester, rayon, spandex

Why We Love It
  • These tailored dress pants are perfectly drapey and wrinkle-repellent with sweat-wicking, quick-drying properties.

What to Consider
  • The shorter inseam should skim the floor on people 5-foot-4 and under, but you may still want to wear heeled shoes.

Lululemon has transformed into something far beyond its yoga-brand roots. The current offerings include lots of work-ready clothes and elevated athleisure wear. I got these high-waisted trousers to give the women's dress pants trend a shot and have only good things to say.

The front pleats and back welts offer a tailored aesthetic that can meld with both everyday looks (think fitted tees and sneakers) and professional attire. More to the point, the drapey fabric not only resists wrinkles but wicks away sweat and dries fast. The hidden card sleeve is a nice touch for travel, too.

The Details: 0 to 14 | Modal, recycled polyester, nylon, elastane

Why We Love It
  • These pull-on shorts are exceptionally 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. Bear in mind 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 material is naturally wrinkle-resistant with a medium-weight drape, and the transitional style can be worn throughout most of the year.

What to Consider
  • The size range is limited.

This dress from Quince is woven mostly from Tencel lyocell, an ultra-soft fiber sourced from wood pulp. The material is inherently wrinkle-resistant, and with the addition of spandex, it has a medium-weight stretchy drape that falls just right.

Even though it's a sleeveless design, this versatile frock can be worn nearly year-round in most climates. You can wear it under a chunky sweater, oversized cardigan, duster, or denim jacket. Or if the weather permits, it's a one-and-done outfit — just add sandals. I also appreciate that this dress has two side pockets, which add on-the-go functionality.

The Details: XS to XL | Tencel lyocell, spandex

Why We Love It
  • This easy-breezy skirt smooths the waist without digging in and has two hidden pockets that come in handy when traveling.

What to Consider
  • The mesh is semi-sheer, but built-in shorts provide coverage underneath.

Halara is an affordable, direct-to-consumer athleisure brand. After launching in 2020, it quickly gained popularity, partly thanks to TikTok — and now that I've tried a few pieces myself, I can tell you the hype is well-deserved. I recently got this midi skirt and love the flattering fit and thoughtful details.

The wide, high-rise waist smooths my midsection without digging in, while the flowy materials lend to an easy-breezy vibe. Although the mesh is semi-sheer, built-in shorts offer coverage underneath. The shorts also have side pockets deep enough for a phone, keys, or cards — a big bonus for travel.

The Details: XS to 3X | Polyester, elastane, nylon

Why We Love It
  • This reasonably priced, non-wrinkling jumpsuit has two functional pockets and a comfy feel that lasts all day.

What to Consider
  • The palazzo pants might be a bit too long for people 5-foot-3 and under.

If you're in the market for reasonably priced, travel-friendly clothing you can get on Amazon with fast shipping, PrettyGarden is a reliable choice. With side pockets and a stretchy, non-wrinkling fabric, this wide-leg jumpsuit has the comfy feel of sweatpants and the practicality of trousers. It comes in 14 solid hues ranging from olive to camel to black.

I love jumpsuits for travel because they're a whole outfit in a single piece of clothing. They're a stellar styling choice that works in almost any setting, except maybe on a plane when you want to be able to easily go to the bathroom.

The Details: S to XL | Polyester, viscose, elastane

Why We Love It
  • The knitted material won't retain creases, and the cozy yet lightweight design can be worn in cold or warm weather.

What to Consider
  • Be careful when washing to prevent snags or shrinking the cotton.

This sweater is an excellent addition to your travel wardrobe. It's cozy enough for cold weather but still lightweight and breathable enough to wear in the warmer seasons. The relaxed fit, slouchy sleeves, and deep V-neckline make for a layerable design that pairs well with T-shirts, bodysuits, and camis.

It's 100 percent cotton, which isn't typically considered a wrinkle-resistant fabric. But since the sweater is knitted from yarns instead of woven from finer threads, it won't retain any creases from being folded. Just take care when washing it to prevent shrinking and snags.

The Details: XXXS to 3X | Cotton

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 top 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
  • 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 tested and editor-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
  • They're soft, stretchy, and virtually wrinkle-proof, with two deep side pockets and a smaller pocket in the back.

What to Consider
  • The compressive fabric helps smooth and sculpt but may feel slightly tight at first.

These leggings from Girlfriend Collective are best-sellers for a reason. The squat-proof fabric is not sheer whatsoever, not to mention seriously soft with four-way stretch that allows a full range of movement. It's also compressive, which helps smooth and sculpt your lower body.

Like virtually all stretchy pants, you won't have to worry about wrinkles. These leggings roll up compactly and take up negligible suitcase space, plus they have two deep side pockets big enough for a smartphone and another hidden back pocket for cards or a room key. Another reason to love this brand? Its size-inclusive offerings go up to 6X.

The Details: XXS to 6X | Recycled water bottles (polyester), spandex

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 prime 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-inspired neoprene 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

Tips for Buying Wrinkle-resistant Clothing for Travel

Choose the right materials

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 or knitted with yarns to make them wrinkle-resistant. Wool and cashmere can be good options, too, particularly in jersey fabrics or knitted weaves.

Do a test run before packing

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.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributor Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in travel, luggage, apparel, packing essentials, and textiles. She's partial to wrinkle-resistant clothing not only for travel but also for everyday wear, as it saves time and effort. Theresa has tried or owned several items on this list and is personally familiar with all featured brands' non-wrinkling offerings.

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Edited by
Sophie Mendel
Editor Sophie Mendel at a restaurant
Sophie Mendel is a Commerce Editor at Travel + Leisure with Dotdash Meredith where she assigns, edits, and publishes the product reviews and recommendations that help guide travelers toward the best shoes, apparel, accessories, and hotels for their needs. Sophie has traveled to 53 countries and has lived in five, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She has more than six years of experience as a writer, editor and copywriter.
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