Planning a trip is such a fun activity and one of my personal favourites, but when it comes to packing my suitcase, I just want to hide under my blanket. There is the crippling anxiety of deciding what outfit to pack, what items aren’t really important for me to carry along, and how to fit all my stuff in my suitcase. Exciting? Not really. But at least the vacation you’re going on will make up for it.
Knowing how nerve-racking packing properly can be, I have come to your rescue as an expert with a few tips to help you pack properly on your next trip. If you decide to pack ahead or wait until the last minute, these tips are all you need.
1. Roll and pack clothes first
The last thing you want after arriving at your travel destination is a suitcase filled with creased clothes. Not a good sight. Using the rolling method, will prevent your clothes from creasing and create more space in your suitcase. A quick trick I always use is to fold in the sleeves of my top and roll from the bottom. For my trousers, I join the legs together and roll from the waist down. The key hack is the proper arrangement of your outfits. Facing down, tops and trousers should be put in first before other items such as shoes, accessories, and personal products.
2. Consider weather and fabrics clothing
Depending on the weather at your destination, you need to pack appropriate clothes and come fully prepared. You do not want to pack outfits fit for the summer weather and arrive in chilly weather. I advise you to properly research what the weather will be like for the duration of your stay and pack accordingly. It is also a smart choice to opt for travel-friendly clothes such as stretchy and knit fabrics because inevitable creases will fall out when you hang them up.
3. The impromptu outfit should be on top
If you have an event planned and will be heading there straight after your plane lands, it is best to plan your outfit and put it in your suitcase. It will save you a lot of time from emptying the whole suitcase to pick out an outfit, especially if you're running out of time. This tip has saved me several times when I had appointments and scheduled events. As you’re packing your suitcase, try to plan out your outfits to not only make packing easier but also remove the stress of packing unnecessary clothing items.
4. Layer your items properly
If you’ll be carrying heavy items such as books and shoes, it is best to place them by the wheeled side of your suitcase. This will stabilise your suitcase when upright and prevent other items from being pressed down. A tip to prevent your clothes from wrinkling when your suitcase is jostled at the airport is to layer plastic bags between them.
5. Use packing cubes.
Packing cubes are the key to keeping your suitcase organised and making your trip a lot more simplified. You can fit a variety of your items into the packing cubes in an arranged manner and they are lightweight, which creates more space in your suitcase. Packing cubes help categorise the items you're travelling with, such as your clothes, chargers, and personal products.
6. Over- or under-packing.
The excitement of taking a trip can have you making the mistake of overpacking, as you’d want to fit everything you want to carry along in your suitcase. Or leaving empty space in your suitcase for the things you’ll be purchasing at the destination, like souvenirs. To avoid over-packing, only take important stuff and to avoid under-packing, you could either fill the empty spaces or pack light bags like fold-able tote bags to store your souvenirs on your trip back
7. Organise your liquid bags.
To avoid the issue of liquid messing up your clothes in your suitcase, you have to stash any liquid product in your carry-on bag. I recommend people make use of a see-through bag to easily pass through airport security. You could also research which kinds of liquids you're allowed to carry on the plane.
8. Keep important medications in your purse.
If you’re on medication or simply have some medication to carry with you, it is best to keep it in your carry-on bag although there’s still the possibility of it being checked by airport security at the gate. Keeping your medication in your purse allows you to have access to it throughout the flight.
9. Bring a scarf for the plane in your carry-on.
Planes are usually chilly no matter what season it is and a scarf is something important you’ll need. The scarf will help warm you up if you happen to feel chilly during the journey and you could also fold it into a pillow if you decide to take a quick nap.
10. Carry a reusable water bottle.
You’ll need to stay hydrated through your trip so carry along a water bottle. Ensure that it is empty at the time of passing through airport security and once you’re safely inside the terminal, you can fill up your water bottle at an airport cafe or a water dispenser.
