Whether it’s for business or leisure, the idea of going on holiday is exciting. However, the days leading up to your getaway can become rather stressful, as packing your bags can be a troublesome chore.
Efficiently packing your belongings is a skill that many of us struggle to perfect, although it can be done. Before packing, remember to take into account the length of time you’ll be away, the space that you’ll have in your bag and the weight that is allowed — this will help guide you when deciding what to pack and what to leave behind.
To avoid ruining your pre-getaway excitement, we have listed tips you can use to pack faster and smarter, regardless of whether you are someone who packs in advance or leaves it to the last minute.
Plan in advance
To pack efficiently, ask yourself what you will be doing on this trip and make a list — what will you need whilst you’re away?
According to the size of your bag and weight allowed, you will need to be strict with yourself and only pack the essentials. Plan all your outfits, to know whether you have the necessary space.
Do you plan on attending business meetings or will you be exploring the area? If it is the former, then ensure that you pack some of your best outfits to give the right impression, and if it’s the latter, then pack outfits that will be practical and lightweight.
Remember to think twice about everything that you put in your bag — the ‘incase I need it’ category no longer exists.
Create a capsule wardrobe
Rather than unnecessarily packing all your clothes, simply save space and time by creating a capsule wardrobe.
When packing for a trip, think quality and colour over quantity, as less is more. Packing basic clothing items that can be styled up with timeless pieces will reduce any excess weight.
Simply choose a colour scheme that will work well for this trip — if you are struggling to find pieces for your capsule wardrobe then why not browse online for key items? You can buy Kapital here for an ideal outfit.
Use up space
Don’t forget to fill every inch of space. For example, footwear should be filled with socks and ideally use packing cubes, as they ensure that your bag is organised and stacked together neatly.
When it comes to rolling vs folding, always choose to roll — this technique works superbly well, as allows space to be used wisely and helps to avoid creases. However, avoid rolling bulky clothing, like sweaters, as they can take up more.
Avoid leakage
If you are taking any toiletries or sun creams in your bag, then ensure that you expel any excess air from the bottles before packing them. Not only will this technique flatten the bottle slightly, but it will also reduce the risk of the bottle opening in your case and ruining your clothes — for added protection, wrap them in a towel or place them in a plastic bag to contain any leaks.
Keep it clean
If you are taking light-coloured clothes, then place them inside out to avoid them getting dirty whilst inside your case. A wise idea will also be to take a plastic bag which you can fill up with dirty clothing — this will separate any unwashed items from the garments you haven’t worn yet and will save you time when you return home.
Layer plastic bags between clothing
If you have any delicate items that you wish to protect from accidental pulls or leaks, then layer dry cleaning bags between your clothing.
Your bag will most likely be tossed around during your travels, therefore by placing clean bags amongst your items, your clothing will slide rather than tug — this is also an effortless way of avoiding wrinkles.
Wear the same outfit on flights
To save room in your bag, ensure that you wear the heaviest items, such as your winter coat and boots — considering that planes are often quite cold, layering your clothes isn’t a bad idea.
By wearing your heaviest garments, you will be allowing more room for other items in your bag, and the weight will drop drastically. If you decide to leave them in your bag, then place them at the bottom of the suitcase — near the wheels — as this will keep the bag stable and stop items from being squashed.
