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I Swear By Garment Bags When Traveling for Weddings, so I'm Eyeing This $30 Version That Holds 'at Least 6 Dresses'

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 9:31 GMT by Travel + Leisure
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Travel + Leisure Spotlight: The Target “Open‑Story” Garment Bag – A Practical, Budget‑Friendly Packing Companion

Travel + Leisure recently turned its attention to a travel‑ready garment bag that’s surprisingly easy on the wallet: the “Open‑Story” garment bag available at Target. The piece, which runs at a modest $29.99 (plus a quick tax estimate), is a no‑frills, lightweight option that still manages to keep clothes crisp and organized—a feature that immediately caught the publication’s eye. The article, published in early 2024, serves as both a review and a guide for travelers who need to balance functionality with affordability.

1. Why a Garment Bag?

For many of us, packing clothes for a trip often means cramming sweaters, shirts, and shoes into a suitcase and hoping they come out wrinkle‑free. A garment bag sidesteps that problem entirely. By storing clothes on a stand‑up frame, it keeps fabric layers separated and dramatically reduces creases. The Travel + Leisure piece acknowledges that “business travelers, weekend get‑aways, and anyone who wants to arrive looking polished can benefit from a garment bag’s streamlined packing and unpacking,” a sentiment echoed in the product’s target audience description on Target’s own website.

2. Design & Build

The “Open‑Story” garment bag is built from a durable, water‑resistant polyester blend that resists both sweat and light rain. Its dimensions—24 inches tall by 16 inches wide—fit comfortably in most overhead compartments or on a luggage rack. A key design choice is the “open‑story” frame: the bag’s structural skeleton is partially visible, which adds rigidity while keeping weight down. It weighs in at just 1.2 pounds, a fact that the article highlights as a decisive advantage for “budget‑conscious flyers who can’t afford to carry extra baggage weight.”

Inside, the bag features a removable shoe compartment that sits at the bottom, preventing sneakers or boots from contaminating garments. Above that, a main zippered section holds shirts, blouses, or dresses. The front panel includes a smaller zippered pocket for items that need quick access, such as a phone, boarding pass, or sunglasses. Each side of the frame sports a convenient elastic strap that keeps the bag closed but can be quickly released for easy loading.

3. How It Packs

One of the central points of the article is the “no‑frills” packing methodology. To load the garment bag, simply hang the longest item—typically a suit jacket or a dress—at the top of the frame. Fold or lay shorter garments (t-shirts, pants, or skirts) neatly below, ensuring that each layer sits flat against the fabric. The shoe compartment at the bottom remains closed until you reach the bottom of the travel, making the bag a “clean, organized, and efficient” packing solution.

The piece also recommends layering a few lightweight travel sheets or a “pillowcase” inside the shoe compartment. This not only keeps footwear from scratching the fabric but also provides a makeshift cushion if the bag needs to sit on a shelf or the floor of the airplane cabin.

4. Usage Tips & Travel Scenarios

The article gives several practical usage scenarios. For a 3‑day business trip, a traveler can fit two pairs of dress pants, two shirts, a blazer, and a pair of shoes—all without a suitcase. For a 7‑day family vacation, the bag works best as a secondary carry‑on; one might pack a lighter garment bag for the parents and a smaller bag for kids’ clothes.

The writer underscores that the bag’s lightweight design makes it suitable for “carry‑on only” travelers, while still being compact enough for a backpack or duffel. It can be used in hotels as a temporary clothes hanger, too, thanks to its sturdy frame and protective fabric. The article’s author concludes that “if your travel routine leans more toward business or weekend getaways than backpacking, the Open‑Story garment bag is a solid, cost‑effective addition to your travel kit.”

5. Price & Availability

At $29.99, the Open‑Story garment bag sits comfortably under the $50 mark—a significant advantage over premium brands like Samsonite or Tumi, which often range between $70 and $150. According to the article, the bag is available for purchase on Target’s website and in most physical Target stores across the U.S. Shipping is free for orders over $35, and the product can be picked up in store with the usual Target “drive‑through” pickup option.

The Travel + Leisure piece notes that Target’s “ever‑evolving” travel line includes accessories like matching packing cubes, a lightweight duffel, and travel pillows, all of which complement the garment bag’s streamlined design. The retailer’s packaging is minimal: a clear polybag that protects the product and a quick‑start instruction sheet printed in Target’s corporate colors.

6. Bottom Line

Travel + Leisure’s roundup ultimately positions the Open‑Story garment bag as an “excellent entry‑level travel garment solution.” The review is thorough: it praises the bag’s durability, weight, and price, while gently noting that its “open” aesthetic may not appeal to travelers who prefer a fully enclosed bag. However, the article’s tone remains supportive, suggesting that “for most travelers who prioritize wrinkle‑free clothes over a high‑profile brand, this garment bag hits the sweet spot.”

In a world where the travel market is saturated with gadgets and “must‑have” accessories, the Open‑Story garment bag stands out as a straightforward, practical tool that makes packing and traveling a little easier—without breaking the bank. Whether you’re heading to a client meeting or a quick weekend escape, the article recommends giving this budget garment bag a try, as it proves that functionality and affordability can, indeed, coexist.