Clothing travels well. Decoration does not, and most of this category has decoration somewhere on it.
The two defences
A sealed plastic bag, against damp. Cardboard holds moisture against cloth, and an Indian monsoon gets into everything. This is the whole defence and it costs nothing.
Tissue between the layers, against snagging. Sequins, beads, zari, hooks and embroidery catch on the fabric folded against them, and a pulled thread is permanent.
The method
- Clean and completely dry — never pack anything even slightly damp
- Tissue over any beadwork or embroidery, and between folds
- Fold along existing folds where there are any
- Sealed bag
- Mailer or box, seams taped
Pieces that need more
Heavily worked pieces — roll rather than fold where you can, so the work is not pressed flat along a crease. Anything with hooks or fastenings — fasten them, or they will find the fabric next to them. Structured pieces and blazers — box rather than bag; folded into a soft mailer they arrive with their shape gone. Sarees and ethnic sets — the saree packing guide goes further on folds and zari.
Say how it was folded
One line in the parcel: how it was folded, and whether to hang it out before wearing. For occasion wear this is the difference between a buyer who is pleased and a buyer who is worried.
Questions people ask
Can I roll instead of fold?
For worked and delicate pieces, often yes, and it avoids a hard crease.
Should I include the hanger?
No. Weight and shape problems, no benefit.
What about a dress that creases badly?
Say so in the listing and in the parcel. A described crease is expected; an unexpected one reads as damage.