5 Tips for Packing Like A Pro

You know you’ve been there: The night before your trip you stare at your suitcase hoping everything you want to pack will just magically fit in your carry-on.  Unfortunately, the packing fairy can’t always save the day, so you’ll have much better luck using our Top Five tips on packing like a pro!

Luggage is Key
With airlines charging an arm and a leg to check a bag, it’s a good idea to invest in a carry-on. A good system for picking a carry-on is the Goldilock’s method, not too big and not too small. You don’t want your carry-on to be too big because every time you board, you will be stopped and asked to put your bag in the luggage sizer. You know that it fits, but it’s just a hassle that you can avoid. You also don’t want a carry-on that’s too small because you won’t be able to fit the essentials.

There are a few other important qualities you should look for when you invest in luggage. The perfect carry-on should be durable because you don’t want to spend a lot of money on a suitcase that will only last you two or three trips. If you ever decide to check your bag, it’s a good idea to buy a carry-on that also expands. Just make sure not to expand it when you’re carrying it on. One last thing, check how heavy the suitcase is when it’s empty. It should feel light because you don’t want a heavy suitcase before you add the weight of all your clothes. There’s no way you’ll be able to get it in the overhead bin if it weighs more than you do.

Make a List and Check it Twice
After you have the right suitcase, you’ll need to decide what should go in it. That’s where making a list can come in handy. First, think of all the things you’ll be doing on your trip. Will you be dining at a fancy restaurant where a nice outfit would be appropriate? Make sure to check the weather as well, you don’t want to pack unnecessary clothing that will only take up prime real estate in your suitcase.

After you’ve done all of this, you can start making a list of everything you need. First, list the number of outfits you’ll need. This will help you determine how many tops, bottoms and shoes you’ll have to pack. A list is also helpful because it’ll keep you from overpacking or packing non-essentials. Once you’ve made your list, start laying out the outfits you want to wear. Try to find as many overlaps as you can. You can re-wear a skirt with different tops, which frees you up for something else you might need to pack.

Include even the most obvious items on your list, like your cell phone, wallet, and passport. There’s always a sense of chaos on the morning of a trip so this list will give you that peace of mind that you have everything you need.

Roll, Roll, Roll
Now that you have everything on a list and your outfits are laid out, it’s time to put them in your awesome carry-on. Folding your clothes may seem like the obvious next step, but this will take up a lot of room in your suitcase. Instead, tightly roll all of your clothes, even jeans, until they look like this:

This will save a lot of room in your suitcase and keep your clothes wrinkle free. After you’ve rolled everything up, put your jeans and heavier clothes at the bottom and continue to form layers until you run out of clothes.  You can even roll your socks to store in your shoes for maximized space.

Shoes and Such

Shoes are a tricky item to pack. Unless you’re going to the beach and wearing flip flops every day, shoes can take up a lot of room in your suitcase. If you go with the rolling method above, it’s best to line your shoes along the edge of your suitcase before you start adding your layers of clothes. This will ensure that the bottoms of your shoes won’t touch your clothes and it won’t take up as much room.

Airport Attire
Another thing to consider when packing is what you’ll be wearing on the plane. If you have shoes that would take up a lot of room in your suitcase, consider wearing them on the plane. Consider wearing layers, like a sweater and a coat, on the plane. It’s always cold on the plane and it’s a great way to make sure you have a coat without taking the suitcase space. Finally, make sure to bring a purse or backpack for the things you’ll need on the plane. This is a great place to store things like snacks and magazines. You should also consider putting essentials like a cell phone charger, medicine, and anything else you’d be lost without in your backpack.  Just in case your baggage gets lost, you’ll have everything you need to get by for a day!