How to pack a kilt

[MuffinMan]

I will be going on a cruise in May and already we are deciding on how to pack everything we need into two 50lb suitcases. So how do I pack the kilts? Do I carefully roll them or can I stick them in a vacum bag thingy to suck the air out for minimum space. On board do I simply hang to release the wrinkles or find a mini steamer? Those who know how travel please help.

MM

[Zardoz]

I roll mine for travel, hang them when I get there. I don't carry a steamer with me, as most hotels and cruise lines have irons in the rooms now, or you can hang it in the bathroom during showers. The one issue I had on the last cruise I was on (Carnival) was that they did not have any hangers with clips. I had to just lay the kilts out flat in the bottom of the wardrobe. I guess in the future I'll take some kilt hangers with me.

[English Bloke]

Pour1Malt's excellent tutorial on rolling up a Kilt is here.

[pastorsteve]

I too roll. That said I travel with my scuba gear and formal wear and never get close to the 50 pound limit. In fact with all I take I usually start around 35 pounds for two week trips.

[TNKiltedWolf]

What limited experience I have traveling with a kilt, I can say that I roll mine. Pour1Malt has a good tutorial using old ladies hose. I have also seen for sale canvas tubes similar to ones you might stick maps in, or a fly fishing rod. Perhaps at ScotWeb those are available? Rolling seems to leave minimal wrinkling and keeps things tidy.

[Raphael]

I use a garment bag.

[RockyR]

From the 'Kilt Related FAQs' on our site:

Q: How should I pack my kilt for travel?



A: If you can not hang your kilt in a garment bag, the second best way to avoid travel wrinkles is to roll your kilt. Lay it out on a flat surface (edge of your bed works very well) in the “fully open” position, with the “good side down”. Start with the edge of the under apron. Fold the corner over (like you were earmarking a book page) to make the single strap point towards the bottom of the kilt. Tightly begin rolling the far edge of the under apron (with the ‘earmark’) in a “tube-like” way. When you get to the pleated section, be sure to “sweep” the pleats down as you’re rolling, to keep them from wrinkling. Continue rolling until you get to the fringed edge of the front apron.



If your wife, girlfriend, mom, etc. has an old pair of stockings or nylons (note: don’t use her good pair) that she doesn’t mind you using, you can cut one of the legs off and stuff the rolled kilt into the leg. This will keep it from unrolling and help keep it from wrinkling.