By Lizzie Grant, Founder of Declutter on Demand (declutterondemand.com) and Resident Professional Organiser at Vinted (vinted.co.uk).
Most of us struggle when packing for a holiday, in fact a trip of any kind, so we got tips from the best on how to pack your case like a pro!
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Have a permanent packing list
In the notes section of your phone, create a master packing list. When it’s time for your trip, just copy and paste it into a new note and delete items as you pack them. This way you’ll never forget anything again and everyone will be amazed at how organised you are!
Check the weather forecast
Even if you think you know what the weather will be like on your trip, double-check! Focus on packing items which are weather-appropriate and you won’t be caught out without a light jumper for chilly evenings or your factor 30 for a surprising burst of sunshine.
Don’t pack in your bedroom
If you have the time to start packing a day or so in advance, clear a space in another room so you can lay out what you’re taking. Packing last minute in your bedroom makes it that much easier to over-pack or miss items by just chucking stuff in your suitcase without really thinking about what you’re packing.
Weigh it up
If you regularly fly for trips, it’s worth investing in a portable luggage scale to weigh bags before you leave and before you return home. This can save you both time, money and stress at the airport by knowing you are following your airline’s weight requirements. In addition to weight, the size of your luggage is equally important to consider. For example, cabin bags’ commonly accepted size by many airlines is an overhead cabin bag of 56x45x25 cm because this size typically fits within the overhead compartments on most aircraft, ensuring that your carry-on luggage complies with airline regulations. Choosing this size of luggage will eliminate the hassle of having to check in oversized luggage at the last minute, making your travel experience smoother and less stressful.
If you need different sized luggage to maximise your airline’s size requirements, one of the most economical ways is to source your suitcase second-hand on Vinted. Suitcases can be fairly expensive and are lucky if they get used once or twice a year, so consider giving a pre-loved suitcase a bit more love, and use the money you’ve saved to treat yourself on the holiday itself instead!
Do the maths
Work out exactly how many outfits you need for the number of days you are going. Consider for each day, where you will be going and what you will be doing (as far as possible). If it’s a long trip consider whether you’ll get laundry done whilst away and if so, reduce what you take. Try to make clothes and accessories multi-task and go with different outfits. This will stop you over packing and give you a clear visual of how much you’re taking in your luggage. Before you pack your suitcase, have one final check and see if you can remove anything.
Whittle down your wash-bag
Decant big bottles of shampoo, conditioners and toiletries into smaller bottles if you are looking to save space. Bottles with screw tops are useful because they are much less likely to leak and multi-purpose soaps are also a great option. Leave a rectangular or cube-shaped space in your suitcase for your wash-bag whilst packing. This means you can pack it at the last minute without a fight to fit it in.
Declutter as you go
If you come across an item whilst packing that keeps not making the cut, then it’s time to let it go. Likewise, when you unpack, if you come across clothes, shoes or accessories that keep not getting worn whilst you are away, it may be time for them to leave the building. There is always a reason you’re not taking or using an item whilst away, so always ask yourself why that is and declutter accordingly. Put these items to the side to create a collection of items that you can sell on to someone who would take them on holiday instead!
Use packing cubes
Using packing cubes might feel excessively organised(!) but there’s no such thing when it comes to packing. Packing cubes really help save space and means that you won’t mess up your neatly packed suitcase every time you need to retrieve an item (if you’re living out of it). If you like to unpack at your destination, packing cubes also speed up this process. Use them to divide clothes into categories and as a bare minimum pack underwear, swimwear and socks separately in cubes to prevent them scattering in your suitcase.
Don’t forget a laundry bag
It’s easy to forget you need to store your dirty clothes somewhere whilst away from home. Take a few zipped wet bags (often used by mums for dirty nappies!) with you for laundry. Wet bags are a great way to keep smells and sweaty gear away from your clean clothes. They come in a variety of colours and patterns and can be popped in the wash on your return and re-used for your next trip. Also remember to pack shoes in fabric bags or plastic bags to prevent any grime staining your other packed clothes and shoes.
Pick your packing method
Rolling clothes is a great way to save space and prevent wrinkles. This works well for casual clothes including denim and knitwear and for synthetic fabrics. For items which easily crease (like shirts) these can be folded and laid on top. If you have items which will need to be hung at the other end, then use skinny hangers and garment bags to fold clothes gently and lay on top so they don’t get squished by bulkier items and can quickly be removed and hung when you arrive.
Don’t double up
If you are travelling with others, decide what you can share whilst on your trip, for example, toiletries and electrical items, and who is responsible for taking which things. This way you won’t end up taking duplicates of the same things and it will lighten the load for all of you.
Pack strategically
Think about what time you’ll arrive at your destination and what items in your suitcase you will need first. If you are arriving late at night, pack your pyjamas and wash bag on top so you can grab them and head straight to bed. If you’re arriving in the morning at a warm location with a pool, pack swimwear, cover up, sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream at the top of your suitcase in case you have to wait to check in at the hotel.
Be sneaky with space
Use every available space including filling the inside of your shoes with smaller items e.g. with chargers, glasses, socks, jewellery cases. Then pack shoes against each other heel to toe to maximise space.
Create a holiday box and drawer
Create a holiday box or vacuum pack bag for those clothes or items you only wear on holiday and divide them into cold and hot holidays. Store them at the top of a wardrobe or under a bed with a neat label on it, so that it frees up space in your wardrobe. It will also make packing your suitcase a lot easier as you can just grab the bag or box and pack the contents.
If there’s an item you don’t already have that you’re only likely to wear on holiday, buy it second-hand on Vinted instead of from brand new – not only will you save yourself a bit of cash, you’re extending the life of that item by giving it extra wear. You can always put it back on for sale after your holiday, so someone else can do the same!
Also make a holiday drawer to house those other items you need for trips so you’re not running around at the last minute trying to find them. For example, small toiletry bottles, plastic bags for airport security, passports, suncream, bug spray etc.
Follow these tips to pack your case like a pro!
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
