Your holiday is just around the corner, and you can’t decide what to take with you? I get it – you’ve got to get your Insta-worthy shots while you’re there, so you need to look good. When packing, we tend to forget that we can’t take our whole wardrobe. Before you know it, you’ve got three pieces of luggage, a backpack, and a massive purse.
With airlines raising their prices on luggage, it’s time to start packing like a pro. I’m here to help you figure out what you need, how to pack it, and how to save some room for those souvenirs.
Before we start, there are three questions you need to answer to make your packing process easier.
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Where are you going?
Knowing where your next vacation will lead is crucial for your packing process. Do your research on the Country you are about to visit. Are there any cultural differences in your home country that prevent you from dressing as you usually would? What season is the country of your destination at the time of your travel? These are the questions that should be answered first.
How long is your trip?
Are you traveling long-term, or is it only a week? This will determine how much you’ll have to pack. Also, knowing the duration of your travel will allow you to cut off on a second suitcase or backpack so that you can travel lighter.
Another thing to be considered is the maintenance of your clothes. If traveling short-term, you probably won’t need to wash dirty clothes as you can store them separately from your clean clothes and do laundry once back home. But if traveling long term, it’s best to check your accommodation and if there is a laundromat available to wash your clothes.
What is your itinerary?
Planning on spending most of your vacation on a luxurious trip in the french riviera or going on an adventurous backpacking hiking tour? Either way, you will not bring the same clothes or equipment, so make up your mind about what is necessary for your upcoming trip.
After these questions are fully answered, the packing process can begin. Here are eight tips on how to become an efficient packer.
Make a packing List
I plan and pack in outfits for all my trips. That is how I save space in my suitcase, preventing me from overpacking. I pick clothes that match my itinerary. For example, if I am planning to spend most of my time at the beach, I will focus on packing swimsuits and lightweight clothes that can be dressed up or down.
Think about what you need first. Will you arrive at your destination at bedtime? Or perhaps you’ll hit the ground running with a morning excursion? Set aside the clothes you’ll need to wear first and pack those last so they’ll be the first thing available when you open your bag.
Pack soft items first. Your first layer, or the bottom layer of your packed suitcase, should be soft clothing that isn’t at risk for wrinkles. This is where you can pack pajamas, undergarments, soft shirts, and lounge clothes. This will allow you to fill in all those nooks and crannies around the bottom of your suitcase and assure that the weight of your other items won’t wrinkle any vulnerable clothing. Whether rolling your clothes freestyle or using packing cubes, pack this first layer so that the result is a flat surface for your next layer.
Packing Techniques and their benefits
Rolling Method.
Trousers, shirts, dresses, and even undergarments can be rolled into much more tight and compact spaces than the same clothes when folded.
Rolling clothes also allows you to utilize every bit of your luggage, whether you’re packing into a big checked bag or a backpack. You won’t have empty corners when you roll your clothes – you’ll be able to maximize your space.
Packing Cubes Method.
This method is my secret weapon for an efficiently packed suitcase and my favorite thing to have around for travel. A set with varied sizes like these from Amazon is perfect for all the categories you’ll need to bring along. The smaller cubes are perfect for socks and underwear, and the larger cubes allow you to pack larger items like dresses, trousers, and jackets. If you want to maximize space, you can use compression cubes. I love the variety of colors and patterns these come in because why not be cute while you’re being a pro packer!
Toward the end of your trip, you can also use these cubes to separate dirty laundry from clean, which means you can dump them in the washer when you get home.
Folding Method.
You want to pack efficiently, but you still want to look good! That likely means you’ll need to fold stiffer clothes like blazers, dress pants, or skirts. You’ll want to fold them carefully (unless you want to pack a travel iron) and nestle them over that first layer of soft clothing. You’ll want to be strategic here – if you pack everything with the waistband in the middle, you’ll have a big lump! Stagger thicker parts of clothing like waistbands, sleeves, or hems. That way, you’ll create a flat layer while maximizing your space. Packing your dress clothes between layers of packing cubes will help keep your clothes still and wrinkle-free.
How to pack shoes
If you’re trying to limit your luggage, you must get strategic about your shoes. Shoes take up SO much space in your bag that you can use for outfits or bring home something to remember your trip. As I said in tip #1, consider what you’ll need.
Do you need hiking boots? Are you going to go out with the girls in Stilettos? This will help you think through what you need. I recommend bringing one pair in which you can walk for miles – think trainers, hiking boots, or walking sandals, depending on the climate. You might want to look cute, but after you’ve walked 20,000 steps through Rome, you won’t enjoy yourself if your feet are killing you.
If you’re planning to dress to impress in the evenings, consider bringing some flat strappy sandals or one pair of dress shoes that can go with several outfits in your wardrobe. And don’t forget your shoes have space inside – this can be a great place to stuff socks, scarves, or small items. Using packing cubes? Pack your shoes in complementary shoe bags to keep your clothes clean. If not, here are some great options for travel shoe bags.
How to pack dirty laundry
Bring along a laundry bag to your vacation. You can hang it at your booked accommodation. Laundry bags are inexpensive to separate your dirty clothes from your clean ones. The dirty laundry must be dry, not wet, as it can accumulate unwanted smells. If you want to prevent building smell in the first place, choose a quality laundry bag, as it can easily absorb odors. Leave the laundry bag outside of your suitcase for the entire time of your trip and pack it just before you leave. I love these travel laundry bags from aceyoon.
How to pack toiletries
For toiletries, it’s best to use a toiletry bag. That will guarantee you be as organized as possible and cut off unnecessary items for your upcoming trip.
Liquid toiletries
Liquid toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion, to name a few, are all at risk of spilling in your suitcase if not packed correctly. First, I cut items out that aren’t so important, and secondly, I look for two-in-one Items like shampoo and conditioner in one. To correctly carry all my liquids, I transfer those to TSA-approved and leak-proof travel bottles.
Dry toiletries
Dry toiletries like Q tips, tampons, razors, and dental floss. I usually buy travel sizes so they won’t take up much space in my toiletry bag. If traveling with normal-sized items, I finish using them on vacation so I won’t have to bring them back home.
How to pack Jewelry
Jewelry organizer box! While they take up more room, a better choice could also be a jewelry envelope, which looks like a briefcase with foam cushioning, and smaller versions with compartments for earrings, which fully protect your items. You can easily find something like this on Amazon.
How to Pack Breakables
It’s best to pack breakable items in your carry-on bag; that way, you have more control over how it’s transported. Wrap breakables in bubble wrap, towels, or clothing. If the fragile items have a whole inside, make sure to fill those whole with clothes as well.
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