Suitcase Packing – Tips & Hacks to get IT all in

I HATE PACKING…and unpacking, but mainly PACKING.  

In the spirit of uprooting to Boston to next week, I thought this post was necessary. 

Although I am packing up my life, these tips will help get you through your next vacation. 

The job of packing your suitcase is just plain tedious.

Am I right?

First you have to make sure you have everything. I like to plan my outfits out for each day in advance, that way I know exactly what outfits I am wearing each day, and for what occasion. Then I pack a few extra outfits just in case. This is a must, you never know what situation you are going to find yourself in.

Planning the outfit is key though.

You have to make sure you have all the necessities AND accessories.

Ok, let’s get back to that whole packing thing. Here are some Real Simple tips to packing:

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Gather your clothes

Gather all the garments you may need on your trip, then edit down your choices so you don’t over pack—a common mistake. Put back at least half of the items you think you need.

Tip: Pack double-duty garments, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas. A sarong can double as a wrap.

Roll your clothes

Tightly roll softer, wrinkle-resistant garments, like T-shirts and cotton pants, and place them along the base of the bag. Jeans should be rolled, too.

Place folded items on top

Next, fold stiffer and/or wrinkle-prone garments like starched cotton shirts and blazers. Layer these folded items over the rolled clothes. 

Drape longer pieces like pants and skirts

Fold longer items in half, filling the length of the bag with them, alternating waists with hems at the ends.

Tip: Pick bulkier items to wear on the plane or in the car so they don’t take up precious luggage space.

Add smaller items

Look for nooks and crannies to fill with smaller items, like bras and socks. 

Tip: Stuff the cups of your bras with rolled-up socks to maintain bra shape.

Line suitcase with belts

Snake belts around the perimeter of the bag. Then cover the whole pile with a dry-cleaning bag. Thanks to the bag’s slippery surface, folded clothes won’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set.

Choose shoes wisely

Pick three pairs of shoes, like a casual sandal or loafer, sneakers, and an evening shoe –go for styles that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Wear the heaviest pair en route and pack the others along the sides of your suitcase in resealable bags.

Pack your jewelry

Stow inexpensive jewelry in a seven-day plastic pillbox or a 35-millimeter film canister. Wear any fine jewelry en route to ensure it won’t get lost or stolen.

 All of that seems simple enough, right!

Here are a few more packing hacks to help make sure you  get everything you need!

Set your jewelry between two sheets of plastic wrap to prevent it from moving around and tangling inside your bag.

Use pill case compartments or an old lip balm container to organize and keep track of your smaller jewelry, like rings and earrings.

String the ends of a dainty necklace through straws to prevent the chain from knotting and tangling.

 When packing clothes that wrinkle easily, lay the clothing flat inside a dry-cleaning bag, and then fold as normal. The plastic will prevent creases from setting in.

To maximize the space in your luggage, roll your clothes instead of folding them. You’ll be surprised by how much more you can fit this way.

Stuff socks and products that won’t burst inside your shoes if you’re low on packing space.

Fold your underwear instead of just wadding it up and stuffing it in your bag, which can take up a lot of space.

Protect breakables such as glass fragrance bottles by slipping them into socks before packing them.

Instead of packing big, bulky makeup bottles for a quick weekend trip, pour a little bit of the product into a clean contact case for easy travel.

To prevent liquid products from bursting (and ruining everything else) inside your bag, cut a small square of plastic wrap, unscrew the product’s lid, set the plastic wrap on top, and screw the lid back on. That way if the lid pops open, no product can spill out.

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Now get to packing! xx

Sweet and Masala 

♡ All the pictures featured in this post are from the Anza Borrego Desert Bloom ♡