How To Pack: Tried And True Tricks To Make It Easier
Posted by: Erin Flaherty
Filed in:
style
12:20PM, Tuesday November 10th 2009
There was a time in my life when I was traveling so much it seemed I couldn’t unpack my bags before I had to stuff them all over again. Needless to say, through trial and error, I developed a few techniques to make the process easier and more foolproof. Since several Frisky staffers are already stressing over holiday packing, I figured I’d post a few of my tips, and, seriously, folks, we’d love to hear all of yours. After the jump, some ideas to help make packing way, way easier!
Less Is More, For Real: There’s a fine line between packing light and too little, but it’s best to err on the side of less. When you’re at home, overwhelmed and obsessing, you start to imagine all these made-up scenarios where you might need this and that. But, honestly, once you’re there, you really can make less work. Let go of this fantasy that you’re going to get invited to the President’s mansion for a ball while you’re backpacking in Brazil and will need to trot out all your best, blingiest stuff. Resolve to keep it chic, elegant and simple. It’s really so much less stressful.
Additionally, the best travel tip ever is easy—avoid checking luggage, no matter what. Not only do you save yourself from having to wait for your bags, but especially because during the high-traffic holidays, luggage goes missing all the time. Sure, you’re usually reunited with it eventually, but only after a few days and sometimes not even until you get back home. It really blows and happens way more than you think. Trust me.
Bag It Up: In keeping with the less-is-more advice, you need the appropriate carry-ons. Airlines have recently significantly cracked down on restricting these, so limit yourself to two. One should be a standard carry-on that you can claim is a purse if they give you any trubs, but big enough to stuff your laptop in. The strap should be wide (more comfortable) and sturdy, and it should have lots of pockets inside so you can stay organized. Here’s what you want to carry in there:
Wallet
Keys
Phone
Boarding Pass
Book or Magazine
iPod or music device
Toiletries/Makeup (more on that)
Hairbrush
Tampons (optional, obvi)
Laptop (if you’ll need it, otherwise leave it at home!)
Sweater/Socks (it’s always alternatively too hot and too cold in the cabin)
See what’s going on here? All of your essentials are within arm’s reach, while your bag of clothes and shoes are being stowed above. Also, keeping your toiletries near you ensures no mid-flight explosions that’ll ruin your clothes. This will make your carry-on a bit heavy, but you can put it down whenever you need to. Keeping your slightly larger suitcase lighter is best because that’s the one you’ll be lifting overhead anyway. For the latter, make sure it rolls (also fab because you can pop your carry-on on top of it while you get to the gate so you’re not lugging it over your shoulder the whole way), and it must be under 9 inches by 14 inches by 22 inches. BUT the size requirements vary depending on the airline, so it doesn’t hurt to check online first. Buy your luggage based on the airline you fly most frequently.
Edit Your Toiletries, Like, A Lot: This whole personal hygiene situation creates the most drama for everyone because you’re tempted to just throw your whole makeup bag and all the contents of your bathroom cabinet in there and call it a day, but this is a really bad idea. For one, that whole liquids must be in three-ounce or smaller containers rule hasn’t gone away (and the TSA asserts it won’t). Also, despite popular opinion, you do not need all the stuff that lives in your shower while you’re away. Hotels provide lots of products (and even more are available upon request), and if you’re staying with friends or family then it won’t kill you or them to borrow their shampoo once. Here’s all you really need:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste (travel-size)
Bar of soap (buy non-comedegenic and you can use for face)
Moisturizer/Acne Cream
Hair Stuff
Concealer
Lipstick
Mascara
Seriously, that’s it. You are not going to be applying a mud mask or giving yourself a “spa day” while you’re on the road. Buy some empty containers to put some of your must-haves in and throw those into one (ONE) quart-sized plastic baggie. Because some security employees consider makeup liquids, those items go in there as well to be safe. If you are all like, “Oh hell no!” and a beauty junkie, there are companies that make travel-sized skin regimens (I like Sampar’s Bon Weekend Kit), but again .... Not. Necessary.
Your Closet Stays Home: Now that the little annoying things are out of the way, here comes the easiest part of the packing equation. Obviously it goes without saying that you should check the weather where you are going and pack accordingly, but keeping that in mind, the basics remain, well, basic. The easiest way to go with less but ensure you have plenty is to pack items that stick to a neutral palette. (For me, that’s black, white, gray, and more black.) You’ll want to stick with sturdy fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily, like jersey-cotton, tweed and denim, and use the rolling technique, wherein you roll items and place them side by side, which makes them take up less room and stay wrinkle-free. Here’s what you need:
Cardigan, wrap or blazer (nice and chic for on the plane and off; this is the one you’ll store in the carry-on)
2 basic, high-end T-shirts or tops (one black, one white keeps it easy; by “high-end” I mean no holes and a flattering cut)
Underwear for each day you’re away; divide number of bras in half
Socks for each day you’re away (unless you don’t need them based on shoes)
Favorite jeans or pants (not your weekend slouchies, your work-appropriate ones)
Pajamas (one set is fine)
Bathing suit (you never know; if you’re going someplace warm)
Day-to-night dress (work/hang out/cocktail-appropriate)
Black heels
Walking shoes (boots, flats, Fit Flops, whatever ...)
Again, this list will change depending on whether it’s a work trip, vacation or a journey to see family, and on how long you’re there. But you get the idea: Pack a few basic essentials that can be worn interchangeably so you can make a few different outfits. By keeping the colors neutral, no one will notice that you may have busted out the same thing twice. And while it may sound crazy to you, you seriously only need two pairs of shoes, lady. No one notices but you. No joke.
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WMassSoprano
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 12:58 pm: [report]
My favorite travel tip: I always pack my bras, underwear and pajamas (aka anything that goes against my skin) into big (1 gallon) ziplock bags. That way you can squeeze all the air out of the bag and it takes up WAY less space in your bag. Also (the real bonus) if security makes you go through your bag, no one has their grubby hands all over your unmentionables (and it makes it easier to re-pack in that situation as well.)
betty123
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 01:05 pm: [report]
You know what is really lame. My parents have always been in the habit of packing one suitcase for the both of them. One would think that if you are packing one suitcase for two people you would be saving space and being slightly over the weight limit would be OK. Oh not so. They were forced to check two bags instead of one. Luckily my brother had gone to drop them off and brought an extra suitcase.
hannahsguy
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 01:14 pm: [report]
As a frequent business traveler I pack only the essentials and 1 change of clothes…no matter how long I’m staying. The rest? I FedEx it to my hotel and time it to arrive when I get there. This is really handy when I’m taking my golf clubs.
Sweet Cheeks
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 02:04 pm: [report]
I’m sorry but when I go on trips to Mexico or Vegas I’m packing everyting! Including shoes! I do however follow the advice of travel size hygenic/beauty products but when I’m on vacation sleeping in someone else’s bed and using someone elses shower, I like to open the closet and drawers as if I were at home. I’m a procrastinator and don’t like to think of an outfit the day before so when traveling I choose several different outfits for several different occasions so I have an option in case something comes up that wasn’t planned. That seems to work out just fine for me.
Katrina
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 02:14 pm: [report]
I use bar soap and solid shampoos/conditioners from Lush, which are really easy to pack and take up less room than bottles.
powplz
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 02:21 pm: [report]
Also, if you’re forced to check bags, make sure what you DO carry on includes basic essentials so that if your bag gets lost, at least you’ve got a clean pair of underwear at the ready!
My biggest flying must-have is a (big) pashmina scarf/wrap. I have three, and they are all big enough to cover most of me if the cabin gets frigid, which is a major score because they don’t take up much room, are super warm, and are scores cleaner than what a flight attendant will hand you if you ask for a blanket.
equnsuocha
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 02:30 pm: [report]
All medication and a fresh change of clothes into the carry on bag, toiletries in ziplock or vacuum sealed bag in luggage. Underwear rolled up inside of shoes.
I used to be the worst over packer and then I realized that I was starting to pack a week before I went anywhere so I now pack the night before. The rushed time frame helps me stick to just what I need and nothing more.
equnsuocha
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 02:31 pm: [report]
Oh and vacuum sealed joints inside a travel Q-Tip case >.<
tabby
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 02:58 pm: [report]
If you are going to take luggage that needs to be checked, make darn certain that you keep your stash of clean underwear in your carry on and at least one change of clothes. It will save you from washing your one pair out in the sink each night and hoping that it will be dry by morning.
blueeyes
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 04:13 pm: [report]
ditto on the pashmina/scarf - the last flight i was on didn’t offer blankets because of the swine flu…
jambadreamer07
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 04:13 pm: [report]
It’s so funny how this site literally seems to mirror my life.
I had a classic case of under-packing for my three day trip to a conference this weekend in Washington DC. Packed my suit, three blouses, three pairs of tights, black pumps for the conference. I figured that the other invitees would want to go out on our free night so I packed a cute outfit and my stiletto boots. Didn’t pack any other shoes than heels because I didn’t want to overpack. Ended up going sight seeing in stiletto boots. The artfully eneven side walks that were supposed to be pretty destroyed my boots (i have to get them re-tipped) and killed my feet.
I will forever swear by the mantra that overpacking is better than packing light especially when the trip isn’t 100% detailed out before you leave.
Alli
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 05:49 pm: [report]
I swear by SpaceSaver travel bags. I went on a 10 day trip to Argentina with a carry-on bag and still had a different outfit for each day because of those things. The seam ridiculous, but I friggin’ love them.
Knitter79
wrote on November 10 2009 @ 06:05 pm: [report]
A good tip I learned from business travel is not just what you pack but how you pack it. Socks get rolled up in the shoes, shoes go on the bottom of the suitcase, fold wrinkle prone clothes in with the pants (fold pants in thirds, shirts go in the middle so it’s one compact pile - helps to eliminate creases in pants), and casual shirts get rolled up to fill in the gaps that odd shaped items leave. I don’t know why it works, but it’s definitely helped me pack more than I thought I could.
theattack
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 02:10 pm: [report]
I don’t know if anyone’s mentioned this because I haven’t read all the comments, but if the clothes I’m packing are things like t-shirts and tank tops, I roll them up really tightly. Saves a whole lot of space in the bag/suitcase. If your clothes are more delicate, it may not be a great idea.
goofyjj
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 03:10 pm: [report]
i LOVE DHC for my carry on essentials. they sell soap “sheets” that you don’t have to put in that quart bag thing. also i carry the samples as they will never be as much as 3 oz and they are flat (their makeup primer is key)
secretnames
wrote on November 11 2009 @ 04:46 pm: [report]
I always have a large purse and a rolling carry on bag that is at least an inch below the limit, I never check items, I made it 2 weeks in australia and new zealand with one carry on bags and purse worth of clothes lol. I always have one pair of nice shoes, one pair of slip ons, one pair of sneakers. If I can make my slip ons and nice shoes the same pair I do. Also I second the giant scarf idea. Another tip is if you’re going with someone, back half your items in each others bags, that way should one get lost you don’t have to be completely screwed. The rolling the clothes trick works really well also. If you are going from one season to another, like this summer I went from 104 degrees at home to 40 degrees in Melbourne, I wore my winter coat in the airport and used it as a blanket on the long over night flight. I also wear my hardest to pack clothes on the plane, keep a pair of pjs or yoga pants and clean undies in my purse and change on the plane that way its less to worry about getting in a carryon. Yeah I know loooonnnggg comment, hope it helps though!
TinaLish
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 03:45 pm: [report]
Omg awesome list. I always overpack and never have any room to bring stuff back with me! It’s so annoying! Lol…Mama did always say less is more, huh?
powplz
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 03:48 pm: [report]
Also: empty waterbottle. Goes through security like a breeze and you don’t have to shell out $4 for a bottle once you’re inside - just find a water fountain.
MuchoMacho
wrote on November 12 2009 @ 03:57 pm: [report]
someone else mentioned it earlier, but i always bring hygene gear and a change of clothes in my carry-on. fly to key west. 12 ppl on the flight. room for 6 bags. they shuttle them to your hotel/villa when they show up. ours were 2 days late. we just went naked a lot