
THE FINE ART OF PACKING
There are various kinds of trips and it's only logical that the interior of your suitcase has to adjust both to the climate of your destination and the purpose of the trip - what might seem absolutely necessary on a business trip, probably won't cut it on leisure. You just have to learn the way to do it. I am here to offer you my packing tips, share my secrets and make your travel life a whole lot easier I hope.
So, read on to find out my most useful tips by category.
#1: THE SUITCASE
#2: THE CLOTHES
Say "no" to folding and "yes" to rolling. Instead of folding your clothes, you'll simply roll them to both avoid getting them crinkled and damaging sensitive textiles. You'll be surprised with how much space you'll end up saving - valuable space to be honest. Try putting small, scented pouches between spaces or at a corner of the suitcase to keep your clothes refreshed and smelling great. It's a trick I always do.
#3: THE SHOES
Make sure you keep a few dustbags to store your shoes inside your suitcase - they're great for packing your shoes, as you can wash them afterwards and keep your suitcase looking clean and neat all the time. After all, your suitcase represents you - you wouldn't leave your drawers dirty, would you? For that reason, I almost never use plastic bags to pack my shoes.
#4: THE COSMETICS
For your cosmetics you should always follow the mini-size rule. ALWAYS.
You either buy a few travel-sized bottles or store a few samples for that purpose, so you do not have to worry about carrying large bottles of shampoo, shower gel or body cream. Estimate the amount of shampoo you'll need beforehand to choose the bottle accordingly. Also, place a piece of plastic wrap like I did here underneath the cap, to prevent any spilling. Another tip is to put your cosmetics bag at the bottom corner of your suitcase, so as when it's standing, its weight would be forcing down and not towards yor clothes.
#5: THE EMPTY SPACES
Fill all the empty spaces inside your suitcase with miscellaneous accessories that don't crease. You could use your shoes, scarves, beanies, sunglasses cases or any chargers (stored inside cases). Never close your suitcase before filling any empty space between your rolled clothes - it's so effective you'll get to finally carry many extras with you, like that sweater for the chilly nights in London.
#6: YOUR HANBAG
After your suitcase is finally packed, mind to place a tag with your personal info on it and also a locker and a copy of your passport in one of the pockets. Time to move on to packing your handbag. Never leave any valuables or important documents inside your suitcase. If you're tech-savvy like me you'll also keep a copy of your passport saved in your email and not simply in your phone. If you have it in your email, you'll have access to it anywhere you are.
The interior of your handbag is generally based on you and your personal preferences. If you feel like carrying a well-organised bag with everything from snacks to a change of clothes (in case you lose your suitcase) or a small bag with just a few essentials, I'm all the way in. Just remember to have your handbag as well organised as your suitcase.
When it comes to jewelry, if you'd like to bring them with you instead of leaving them back home, you should either wear them or keep them in your carry-on. Never, ever in your suitcase, especially if you're going to check it in.
#7: ΤHE TRAVEL GADGETS
Okay, now you have succesfully packed your clothing, shoes, cosmetics and essential documents, it's time to move on to gadgets. I love them so much, I made a separate category just for those. I never travel without my top 5 of gadgets: my camera, a Boss headset, iPad, laptop and a power bank.
There are a few other little things that will definitely make your trip more cozy, comfy, quiet and overall pleasant. A sleeping mask or a good book are all-time classics. I keep everything organised in separate cases - my iPad, passport and cards.
#8: THINK SMART
To sum up, I just want to remind you how important it is to carry a well-organised suitcase whether that is for a long weekend in Rome - click here for the best Tiramisu of your life or a 10-days trip at San Francisco. To achieve a lightweight, but fully organised suitcase, a tip I got is to prepare your outfits for each day of the trip beforehand. By doing that, instead of packing each piece separately, you not only save up valuable space in your bag but also time as you'll have all your outfits picked up and you won't have to waste a single minute of your trip. Remember, you don't need every piece of your wardrobe with you - just a few key-pieces to mix and match easily.
Photo by: Mike Tsitas
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