Unlike the vast majority of human beings, I love packing my suitcase. Not only does this ritual signal that an adventure is to come, but it also genuinely excites my organization-obsessed self. Fitting all your clothes, toiletries, and tech neatly into a carry-on bag can be a challenge akin to a game of Tetris; but when you finally arrange the puzzle pieces just so, you’re met with the satisfaction of being able to zip your suitcase and wheel your way to the airport with everything you need. With summer on its way, here are a few tips to help you organize your suitcases and get ready to vacation in style.
1. Create a packing list
Creating a list of all that you’re packing may sound like a tedious chore. However, it’s actually a great way to ensure you don’t forget anything both on the way to and from your destination; sitting down and bulleting what kind of clothing you’ll need (taking the weather and your daily plans into consideration) and your essential toiletries will ensure you thoroughly consider what your needs will be on the trip. And, when you’re packing to come home, checking off each item as you return it to your suitcase will prevent you from leaving your sunglasses in the hotel room (again). Additionally, drafting this list will help you to see if you’re going to overpack (as I am often tempted to do). Do you really need a different pair of pajamas for every night of the week? Is it really necessary to bring your full eyeshadow palette when you’ll only need a few colors? By making this list, you’ve already set yourself up for a more organized trip and a slimmer suitcase.
2. Pack versatile clothing
Another great way to avoid overpacking is to plan a series of outfits that rely on the same primary clothing items; in other words, mix and match! Pick a pair of shoes and a color concept to work off of and find shorts and tops that can be worn with each other to avoid packing a bunch of different, mismatched options that will expand your bag.
3. Get ready to roll
It’s tempting to stuff your clothes haphazardly into your bag and call it a day. However, this will likely lead to wasted space and wrinkly garments—two things you definitely want to avoid. Instead, channel your inner Marie Kondo and roll your clothes into neat bundles; Her clear and well-done video “The KonMari Fold | Basics” walks you through how to fold common clothing items to save space (Kondo, Marie. “The KonMari Fold | Basics.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Apr. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjkmqbJTLBM).
4. Consolidation is your friend
Roll your socks and put them inside of your shoes. Fill bra cups with underwear. Do whatever you can to consolidate and get some extra room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
5. Use your space (including your personal bag)
Your suitcase likely has pockets and compartments galore—make use of them! Not only will this give you more space inside the main compartment of your bag, but it will also help to more evenly distribute the weight of your suitcase. Don’t forget that airlines often let you take a personal bag to stow under your seat in addition to your carry-on; that bag is another shot at extra room and is a great place to put items that won’t fit in your suitcase as well as those you’ll need to access easily while on your flight.
6. Wear it out
A final space-saving hack is to simply wear what you want to pack onto the plane. This is an especially useful trick when your destination is chilly, requiring you to bring heavy winter gear. Bundle up on the plane (you can always fold your coat and keep it in your lap or use it as a pillow if you get hot) so that you don’t have to overwhelm your suitcase!
I hope that these tips will help you to pack a suitcase as seamlessly as possible. Happy packing!