Luggage comes in as many shapes and sizes as the travelers who carry and cart it through terminals and airports across the world. While your luggage can say a lot about you, what’s much more important is what’s packed inside and how you packed it.
How and what you pack can make or break a trip. Packing wrong can lead to everything from shock and disappointment to a full-on international incident. Follow along as we show you how and what to pack to get the most out of your luggage space and your trip.
Choose the Right Bag
What type and how many bags you pack will ultimately depend on the trip you are taking. Be sure to choose luggage that suits you and is convenient for your travels. For example, comfortable shoulder straps and solid wheels can mean a lot if you have to carry your bags any distance.
Consider Upgrading Your Luggage
You might want to consider a luggage upgrade before your next trip. Modern luggage comes with tons of options including special pouches and storage and in shapes you may find more appealing than the classic suitcase that’s been gathering dust in your closet for years.
Use Compression Bags
Plastic travel compression bags can be a great thing if used correctly. They can help to manage bulky clothes and are great for bringing home dirty clothes as well. Just be careful not to over pack when using them and be forewarned that they can cause excessive wrinkling of thinner or more delicate fabrics.
Pack By the Numbers
There is a cute packing method that recommends packing items by specific numbers for each week of your trip. Per week you should have one hat, two pairs of shoes, three pants (or skirts), four shirts, five pairs of socks, and six days of underwear.
Choose Fabrics Wisely
Some fabrics travel better than others and it’s not just compression bags that wrinkle clothes. You might even consider taking along a small steamer to manage certain fabrics if they are must-have items.
Choose Re-Wearable Pieces
If you choose your wardrobe well, you can often include items that can be worn more than once or on repeated days. A simple pullover sweater may be useful for several days, and a pair of jeans may be reworn for multiple occasions.
Pick a Travel Palette
Choosing a palette will help you choose more re-wearable pieces. Pick a simple palette of colors that go together or go for a monochrome signature look and stick to all shades of a single color. If you are unsure about which color to pick, this method is easiest to do with neutral colors or black and white looks.
Double Check Yourself
Sometimes it is too easy to get caught in the “but what if I need it” trap. Being prepared is good, but over packing can be a serious mistake. Consider each item that you are taking and whether or not you will need it for this trip. Eliminate the things you don’t need and things you don’t use regularly at home.
Set Aside an Emergency Fund
This fund will help you to control urges to overpack. If you desperately need an item, you can purchase it when you arrive. Additionally, this fund could be helpful if you were to lose a bag or have a delay on your trip.
Roll Your Clothes
This is one of the world’s best travel tips because it takes no additional equipment and actually saves you time. Roll your fabric items, it’s as simple as that. Just roll all of your clothes and place the rolls in your bag or suitcase. Best of all, this keeps most items from wrinkling, too!
Make Daily Kits
For each day that you are traveling, make a simple kit of items you will need. This should include socks, ties, belts, underwear, jewelry, accessories, and any other small items. Put the items in a zip lock bag and pack them with the day’s outfit so you don’t have to go through your entire suitcase every day.
Embrace Digital Media
While there is always a place for the real thing, in most cases, digital will do while you are on the road. There is no need to carry bulky books, magazines, or other forms of entertainment around when there are phones, laptops, and tablets for that. This is also a good way to take along important documents when originals are not necessary.
Don’t Forget Legalities
Be sure you have all of your identification and documentation easily accessible when you travel. It is also important to remember not to ever take anything that could be problematic into an airport, on a flight, on a cruise, or into another country. If you are unsure of any applicable rules, find out before you start packing.
Wear It Home
If you are returning home, you may be bringing more than you came with. Don’t forget to use your purse, carry on bag, and pockets to put belongings in. If all else fails, be sure to take your bulkiest coat from your luggage and wear it home to make more room inside your bag.
Get Travel Insurance
No one wants to think about it and it isn’t the most aesthetic travel idea, but travel insurance can protect you from a lot of mishaps. One of the best insurance plans to get is one that covers lost and delayed bags, as this can get you going again right away, with not too much of a hiccup.
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