Travel Smart: 11 Packing Tips You Can’t Miss

Who’s ready to sail through the airport with the greatest of ease? Don’t you admire those people who seem to glide through the terminal with a small and efficient carry-on and a simple setup at their seat on the plane? They seem to come fully prepared and have everything they need right at hand. 

You just know it when you see it. You can spot the travel pro from a mile away. This year, we’re determined to become a member of that society! Below, you’ll find a roundup of eleven packing tips that will ensure your next adventure is smooth and easy. 

Make a List

No battle was ever won without a battle plan. Start by making a list. Make an approximation of each outfit for each day. Then, move on to undergarments, shoes, and accessories. From there, consider what toiletries you’d like to take with you (versus what you can buy over there to save space). Don’t forget your electronics and any other peripheral items like a small paperback book or important medications. 

Bring a Capsule Wardrobe

Have you ever wondered about minimizing down to a capsule wardrobe in your everyday life? It certainly has its benefits. Laundry day is less of a task and you always know what you have in your closet and what items you can mix and match together. If you’ve ever wondered about it, now’s the time to experiment. Pack for your trip with only a capsule wardrobe in mind. That is, bring items that can be multipurpose into different outfits. Bring one sweater that you can mix and match with a few different tops. Bring a dress that can be worn by day with tights and then dressed up at night with a pair of heels. Stick to basic accessories, and if it can’t serve as part of at least two different outfits, then it’s off the list. 

Stick to Neutral Tones

This might not sound so fun if you’re headed somewhere really vibrant and colorful, like the Caribbean or Morocco. But it will serve you incredibly well. If you stick to neutral tones like blacks, browns, and even greens, then you’ll stand a better chance of creating that capsule wardrobe. That said, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Have fun by adding pops of color with silk scarves and bold chandelier earrings. They don’t take up much space in your suitcase, and they’ll do double duty for numerous outfits. 

Use Packing Cubes

Isn’t it interesting that something that would appear to take up additional real estate in your suitcase could actually save space? The trick is to purchase a set of compression cubes. As you neatly organize your tops, pants, sweaters, dresses, etc., the packing cubes will shrink all those essentials into their own designated space in the suitcase. And the best part? When you unpack at your destination, everything will be organized and easy to find.