Pack it up, pack it in. No matter if it's a weekend getaway or a multi-country grand tour, packing can be a process. We reveal the finer details to get you ready to jet off, confident you brought all the right things.
Be An Editor
Check the weather, then plan out your outfits for each day of your trip. Stick to neutrals or a narrowly-defined color palette, which makes mixing and matching easier. You can’t go wrong with black and tans for city trips, and add a bit of white for summer destinations. Thinking in outfits rather than pieces will prevent you from throwing things in “just in case” you didn’t pack enough.
Once you have everything planned, take a step back and get ready to pull out half of the items from your packing pile. Look at what can be swapped in and out (you probably don’t need four pairs of jeans), and focus on items that you can wear more than once. Move anything that you “might” wear back into your closet.
Accessorize Minimally
Shoes tend to take up the most space, and are usually the items that take our bags over those pesky weight limits. So unless you’re headed to Paris for Fashion Week, try to remember that you will more than likely wear the same pair of shoes during the day most days of your trip: sandals for beach vacations, sneakers or boots for a city, plus a pair of running shoes if you’re planning to work out while you’re away (bravo you!). For evenings, restrict yourself to two pairs max that you can wear with different outfits. Same goes for bags – a neutral crossbody or beach bag for day, and one or two clutches for night should cover you for any occasion.
Pro tip: use those clutches to keep your jewelry organized in your suitcase.
FEET FIRST
Start by laying your shoes at the bottom of your suitcase—top compartment works too, if you’re using a hard-case that zips shut.. Then don’t just pack around them, pack in them. Stuff tank tops or socks inside to maximize space, which also prevents your shoes from losing their shape. If you can, wear your bulkiest or heaviest pair on the plane.
Packing Calls For Cubes
The hype is real, and well-deserved — packing cubes are the best for keeping smaller items (intimates, socks, swimsuits) organized and compact, and seem to allow you to fit way more in, especially in carry-ons. Combine packing cubes with the rolling (or “burrito”) method instead of folding, and you’ll have even more space.
Bonus points for organizing with family monograms.
FEET FIRST
Start by laying your shoes at the bottom of your suitcase—top compartment works too, if you’re using a hard-case that zips shut.. Then don’t just pack around them, pack in them. Stuff tank tops or socks inside to maximize space, which also prevents your shoes from losing their shape. If you can, wear your bulkiest or heaviest pair on the plane.
Now, Be Sure to Unpack
Last but not least, unpack when you arrive, even if it’s just a weekend. Not only will it keep your clothes from wrinkling, but you’ll also be able to see everything you so carefully selected when you go to style those mix and match outfits. Plus, it will keep your hotel room from looking like a hurricane blew through it and make it easier to pack everything back up again.
