what garment bag did you use for a "bulky" dress

[clfaidl2]

Hi ladies,

 

I will be traveling on US airways and their restrictions for wedding dresses is that the garment bag cannot be larger than 45 inches. My dress is more bulky (it has a few layers on the bottom). I'm wondering what type of garment bag I should get. I want something thick and durable. I'm not tooo worried about wrinkles since i bought a travel steamer, but I definitely want to carry the dress on the plane with me. I just read an article where a girl checked her dress in with her luggage and it was stolen out of her suitcase when she went to pick it up. There is no way I am taking that chance. I was hoping you ladies could help me come up with ideas of garment bag/ travel options for a larger dress.

 

I searched for some threads about this, but didn't find too much. Most of the comments I saw were: ladies used 2 garment bags, or put it in a wheeled garment bag. I'm not sure that my dress will fit in a wheeled garment bag or anything small as it is kind of bulky.

 

Here is the link of my dress. It's not a lightweight dress, so I'm worried about getting it there. You can click on the links of other brides wearing the dress to get an idea of how big the dress really is.

 

Jean - by Maggie Sottero

 

Thanks for your help in advance ladies!

[vdaybride]

You will probably have to just fold it over (in half) inside the bag and hope for the best. I would definitely NOT check it in with the other luggage. Although, I did check my dress in on the way back because I was tired and didn't want to deal with it for my connecting flight back. I worried about it during both flights! One of the planes was teeny tiny and I had to STUFF the dress in an overhead compartment, my heart skipped three beats! good luck with your decision

[Jackie22]

Wow, thanks for bringing that to my attention. I didnt know there was a size requirement for garmet bags. I was just planning on carrying it on and either having them hang it in the "coat closet" thingy. Or folding in overhead bin. I figured I will have to have my dressed steamed at the resort anyway.

[*Meagan*]

Hi there! So my dress was also pretty bulky on the bottom and I had purchased a 60" garment bag and it didnt even fit in there. I ended up using the garment bag it came in from the store I bought it from. I was able to hang it for all the flights but on the way home I did fold it, which put HORRIBLE wrinkles in it that 3 hours of steaming could not get out!

 

I know a couple of girls brought their dress to their dress shop and had them properly arrange it in a suitcase, is this a possibility for you?

 

These threads should help you out a bit:

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...g-dress-48967/

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/fo...-luggage-6297/

[clfaidl2]

Thanks for responding ladies! Hmm.....the only thing I am worried about with a suitcase is I dont think the dress will fit in a carry on suit case (It's rather bulky at the bottom). I would have to put it in another checked bag and I am worried about checking a bag because I read an article where a girl's dress was stolen out of her checked bag and plus they really throw the checked luggage around. I think I would be a nervous wreck.

I really want to carry the dress on, but I called US airways and they said they are very strict with the size of the garment bag. They said they would not allow it as a carry on if it was larger than 45 inches. So, I just don't know what to buy to fit this requirement. I found a garment bag that I thought might work, but when I tried to confirm that with the airline I now have doubts.

The garment bag I tried to confirm was an american tourister bag that folds in half and its measurments are 23.62 in x 22.9 in x 4.4 in. She told me the size of these measurements was 50.9 inches. I thought the 45 inches meant length ......and the length of this garment bag was 45.8 if it is not folded in half. So, now I am very confused. I was hoping that since 45.8 was right around 45 that would be okay, but if they are adding all the measurements together it would obviously be more than 45.

Does anyone know if that 45 inches is regarding the length of the bag? or is it all of the measurements together equalling 45? I'm afraid to go with a regular garment bag if it is larger than 45 inches Please help on what garment bag to use! I'm so lost! I wish the airline was more understanding that it is a WEDDING DRESS!

Has anyone tried those boxes: Dress In A Box, Wedding Dress Overseas, Weddings Abroad Wedding Dress

They have a larger box, but its in cm's. I'd have to figure it out in inches, anyone think a big dress would fit in there, or would you go with a garment bag?

 

I read those other traveling with a dress threads and I can't find anything dealing with a larger dress. It seems like most girls carried it on in regular or doulbed garment bags but noone mentioned anything about a size restriction issue. Unfortunately, I think I have a really strict airline.

[DolphinMareDVM]

Hey Christina,

 

I'll be flying US Airways to Hawai'i in a month and am having the same issue. Any luck on finding a garment bag?

[CanadianLindsey]

I'm thinking of just heading out to the airport with my dress and garment bag to confirm with the airline manager, in person, possibly getting whatever they say in writing too. It will be a pain, but much better to deal with it now than right before my flight/wedding and in front of all of our guests. I'm just hoping for some compassion, c'mon, it's a wedding dress and half of the plane will be our guests anyways!

[sugaredviolets]

What about this box: Destination Wedding Kit - $52.95 : Zen Cart!, Wedding Gown Preservation

 

I've decided to ship my dress. I'm just too worried about being forced to check it before the flight.

[clfaidl2]

Sugared Violets: I hope everything goes well with shipping your dress....cross your fingers, and good luck in customs. I've heard customs is tough sometimes.

CanadianLindsey: I hope your meeting goes well with the airline manager. Let us know what your outcome is!

DolphinMareDVM: I havn't had any luck yet....i'll let you know if I do!

[sugaredviolets]

Sugared Violets: I hope everything goes well with shipping your dress....cross your fingers' date=' and good luck in customs. I've heard customs is tough sometimes.

 

There won't be customs in Hawaii :-)