GQ South Africa — May 2017

READER:Itravelforbusinessoften,andoneofmybiggestfrustrations

ismycarry-onsuitcase.Oftenthey’retoobigfortheoverheadluggagehold,too

heavyorjustflimsy.Thewheelsbreak,thezipjamsorthecasecracks.AndIcanneverfit

allthethingsIneedinside.Ineedasolidsolution.

GQ:You need to know about Away luggage (awaytravel.com). The pieces are modern,

trendy and well thought out. Their carry-ons are light weight, scratch resistant and built from

an impenetrable material that bends under pressure,whichtakescareofalotofproblems.

Thewheelsalsorotate360degrees,whichisreallynifty.Insidetherearedetachable

compartments to keep hard and soft luggage separate, and a built-in laundry bag to keep

your clean clothes fresh. The bag also featuresabuilt-inUSBchargerthatyoucanaccess

fromrightundertheexteriorhandle,alongwithaTSA-approvedlock.

READER:Do people actually travel

in suits? What’s the point? Surely

that messes them up and then you have a

creased garment to wear when you get

there?Whynotbringabigsuitcasewitha

few suits and casual clothing options and

travel in a comfortable tracksuit?

GQ:Thereareacoupleofthingstoconsider

here. First off, if you’re travelling business

classchancesarethatatracksuitwon’t

be considered an appropriate look for

that environment. Another thing is that

businessmen often do business in transit,

meaningthatyou’llwanttobedressed

appropriately. You also never know what

hurdlesairtravelcanthrowatyou,soit’s

besttokeeptheclothesyouneedforyour

business meetings on your person, should

you encounter any issues, like lost luggage,

that could prevent you from rushing to

ameetingfromtheairport.It’seasierto

travelwithacarryonandmakesleaving

theairportalotquicker.

Learn to pack strategically so that you

cangetanumberofgoodoutfitchanges

forasmanydaysaspossible.That’swhy

wearingasuitontheplanemakessense,

because packing a blazer requires a fair

amount of space. By wearing it you simply

need to hang up the jacket when you get on

board. The pants aren’t cumbersome and

probably won’t crease. Also, there are several

performance suits available that don’t crease

and are flexible for movement and travel.

A shirt is small enough to pack and quick

enough to change without having to do

a whole outfit overhaul. You also never

knowwhereorwhenyou’llhaveachanceto

change. There’s nothing worse than having

to open up a suitcase and rummage through

your personals in front of strangers, or worse,

onthebathroomfloorinatinycubicleatan

airport somewhere in the world.

HOW TO...

Fold your suit

for travelling

Send your questions to [email protected]

GQ’s Jason Basson

answers your questions

about carry-on cases

and travelling with suits

If you don’t have

asuitcarrierbagor

you need to travel

lighterthanusual,

here is a method of

folding and rolling

asuitthatwillhelp

you economise on

space while keeping

your suit looking

dry-cleaner fresh.

Away

carry-on

suitcase

THE STYLE R3 350

SHRINK

1.For travel suits

stick to dark

colours,woolor

wool and synthetic

blends.

2. Lay the suit fl at
   down with the
   back facing
   upwards.
   3. Fold in half
   along the
   length of the
   back seam.
   4. One half of the
   front should now
   be facing upwards.
   Open to reveal the
   lining and armhole
   inside jacket.
   5. As you invert the
   shoulder, allow the
   lining side of the
   lapel to fl ip around
   and cover the other
   side of the jacket.
   6. Starting at the
   collar, roll the fabric
   along the length
   of the lapel line.
   Rolling makes for
   fewer creases.

Tip: Roll other garments inside the blazer to further prevent your

suit from creasing and to save on packing space.

26 GQ.CO.ZA MAY 2017

GENTLEMAN’S CORNER