Best Wrinkle-free Travel Clothes: Fall and Winter

I’ve been to more than 20 countries in the last seven years, and I haven’t checked a bag for a single trip, even when I’m packing for a chilly fall or winter adventure. While I wouldn’t consider myself an ultra-minimalist packer, I know a thing or two about cramming as much as possible into my carry-on bag. My secret? Wrinkle-resistant clothes. Being able to pack things tightly without worrying about how they’ll look after the flight makes it so much easier to utilize my space. 

While a few wrinkles are inevitable (and can be remedied by a quick spritz of a wrinkle-release spray), the clothes I pack are designed to stay smooth, even after being folded. When packing for a fall or winter trip, I also like to choose pieces that are versatile enough to be dressed up or down to get the most outfit potential out of each item. Read on to shop some of my favorite wrinkle-free clothes that will help you pack light. From a chic boxy sweater to a classic long-sleeve bodysuit, you’ll never have to worry about how you look on your next fall or winter vacation. 

Madewell The Harlow Wide-Leg Pant

The Harlow Wide-leg Pants from Madewell have been a staple in my wardrobe for a while now. They immediately make me feel more put together, thanks to the pleating detail and full-length legs, but they don’t sacrifice comfort in any way. In fact, these are a lot more comfortable than many pants I own, which makes them great for long travel days. But the best part is that they keep wrinkles to a minimum, whether I’m wearing them on the plane or rolling them into the corner of my suitcase. Great for business travel and beyond, they can be dressed up with a pair of heels or down with a sleek pair of sneakers. And right now, you can get them double discounted.

The Drop Women’s Faux Leather Shacket

This faux-leather shirt jacket (aka a “shacket”) is an excellent piece for fall and winter, since it can be paired with virtually any outfit. It’s not very warm on its own, but the oversized pick makes it great for layering over long-sleeve shirts or sweaters. The faux-leather material is also pretty hefty and doesn’t wrinkle easily in my suitcase. Black is a classic option that is the most versatile in my opinion, but the cool shacket comes in five other neutral colors if you want some variety. 

Adidas Women’s Stan Smith Shoes

Nothing says “versatile wardrobe” like a pair of white sneakers. I wear these Adidas Stan Smith shoes year-round — they’re casual enough to be paired with an athleisure outfit but can also be paired with a dress for a museum day. These aren’t too bulky and pack well in a suitcase, but I often wear them on the plane as my only shoe for my trip. This won’t work in every situation (they aren’t snow-friendly), but their versatility can really help you reduce your packing list if you find yourself limited on space. 

Everlane The Boxy Sweater in Everyday Cotton

A classic cotton sweater is a fall and winter wardrobe staple. Everlane’s The Boxy Sweater is a favorite of mine because of its flattering fit that can be styled in a variety of ways. It layers remarkably well, so it’s ideal for transitional weather, but it’s plenty warm and cozy for cold days, too. Made from 100-percent cotton, the thick material rarely creases in my luggage. This makes it a no-brainer to pack; although, I usually end up wearing it on the plane because it’s so comfortable. 

Anrabess Women’s Two-piece Sweats Set

A two-piece set makes me feel the most put-together for the least amount of effort on my part. This two-piece sweats set is much cuter than it sounds like it would be and is a great long-haul flight option paired with my Stan Smiths. I also love that the top and bottom can be styled with other pieces, making this another versatile option in my travel wardrobe. The material is soft and cozy and travels well. While I do occasionally see wrinkles after being shoved tightly in a bag, they’re easy to get out with wrinkle-release spray or a few minutes with a travel steamer. 

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Quince’s cashmere sweater has gone viral many times and I totally understand why — it feels like a cheat code to get such a high-quality cashmere piece at this price. Made with soft Mongolian cashmere, it’s incredibly warm while remaining lightweight and easy to pack. I love that the cashmere is sustainable and ethically sourced, and I appreciate the simplicity of the design that can be paired with pretty much anything. If you’re looking to splurge a bit on a similar item, I also love this shawl collar cardigan from Lilysilk that’s made with a wool and cashmere blend for superior warmth and coziness.

PrettyGarden Women’s Two-piece Maxi Skirt Set

Another two-piece set I love is this maxi skirt set from PrettyGarden. It’s fancier than the sweats set above, so I can dress it up a little easier if my trip involves more excursions that require me to look nice. Skirts aren’t always my favorite cold-weather pieces, but this one is long to provide warmth, and I can easily wear a pair of tights or leggings underneath to combat the chill. The top is sleeveless but layers well under sweaters and jackets. 

Santiny Women’s Joggers

I’m often doing something active while I travel, so I always bring a pair of joggers with me, like these Santiny joggers. Made with a nylon and spandex blend, they’re almost impossible to wrinkle, even when I shove them haphazardly into the corner of my carry-on. They’re also incredibly lightweight and breezy for long plane rides or morning jogs before sightseeing. I have the black pair, but they come in 26 different colors so you can find something that suits your style. 

Levi’s Women’s Melanie Newport Bomber Jacket

Bomber jackets are great fall and winter pieces because they can be dressed up or down and provide a decent amount of warmth. This Levi’s Melanie Newport Bomber Jacket is a favorite of mine, thanks to the retro style and comfortable details like padded cuffs. The pockets are deep and zip for added security, which I appreciate while traveling. The silky outer material packs well and I’ve never had issues with this jacket wrinkling as long as I’m careful about how I fold it in my bag — if there are wrinkles, I’m confident they would come out easily. 

Sampeel Women’s Babydoll Sweater Dress

I always throw a dress into my bag for a fancy dinner or night on the town. This babydoll sweater dress is one of my favorites because the ribbed material hides wrinkles so well. I like the long sleeves for chillier weather, and while the dress is pretty short, it looks great over a pair of tights. I’m partial to the caramel color for fall, but it comes in 10 other colors if you want to branch out. This dress looks fantastic with a pair of boots, but it can also be worn with flats or sneakers, depending on how you want to style it. 

Asgard Women’s Ankle Chelsea Boots

Boots don’t exactly scream “light packer,” but these ankle Chelsea boots are an exception. They’re lightweight and have a short heel, so they don’t take up much space in my luggage. I love that they’re completely waterproof and keep my feet dry during rainy fall days while letting me maintain a stylish look. The classic Chelsea fit is also as versatile as they come, going with jeans, pants, skirts, dresses, and more. I’m partial to the black pair, but these come in a variety of colors, including fun options like bright red and yellow.

Mangopop Women’s Long-sleeve Bodysuit

I’ve always loved bodysuits for their ability to be dressed up or down. The Mangopop long-sleeve bodysuit is a go-to for me, thanks to its buttery-soft material that takes up minimal space in my luggage and doesn’t wrinkle. The top itself is simple, but that’s what makes it such a versatile piece. This can be worn on its own with a pair of jeans, paired underneath overalls (like the ones below), or tucked into trousers for a business trip. The white bodysuit is a little too see-through for my taste, but the other colors I’ve tried have been opaque enough to wear without worry. Choose from 18 colors in all. 

Happy Sailed Women’s Corduroy Overalls

I never grew out of my corduroy phase from elementary school, and I never plan to. I love these corduroy overalls for fall and winter travel because the material just seems to fit the season. These are cozy, warm, and give the vibe I’m going for this time of year. Plus, corduroy hides wrinkles remarkably well, so no one can notice them even if these get a little bunched up in my suitcase. I love to pair these with the Mangopop bodysuit and Asgard Chelsea boots for a cute and comfy fit.

Amazon Essentials Women’s Packable Puffer Vest

As someone with a fairly casual style, I always bring along a vest on trips when the weather gets cold. This puffer vest from Amazon Essentials packs down to a surprisingly small size and is easy to throw over a sweater or jacket when I want a little extra warmth. I love how lightweight it is, sitting in my bag or while I’m wearing it, and that it’s water-resistant to protect me from unexpected raindrops. As usual, I’m opting for the black vest, but you can choose from 12 different colors, including a couple of prints. 

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