Packing Right for Your Trip

I am a reformed over packer. I once lived a life of packing way too many clothes and too much stuff. Then over the years I discovered the actual comfort in packing the right about of items. This has saved me money at times on baggage on planes. I have packed for five or more days in a carry on. It is totally possible and you will still have the best trip you can have. Here are my semi-pro tips to packing well.

1:The Best Bag

I just recently got this bag from Muzmm and have taken it on two trips already. I took it on a flight as my carry on and it was perfect. The size is great and I fit so much in it. I love the bright color so that if I ever check this bag it will be very easy to find. It can be worn multiple ways, it can be worn carried like a duffle, carried by two handles, and also as a backpack. It has a laptop sleeve and fits a weeks worth of clothes. I would say that is is key to have a bag that is easy to carry and a good shape for fitting clothes and shoes in. I am happy to say that I have a discount code worth 20% off which is ASHLEYTRAVEL. I truly love this bag and think that investing in a bag for travel is a wise choice.

2: Rolling and Folding

This is IMPORTANT. If you have any items like shirts, dresses, and soft pants you should roll them. This makes sure that they do not wrinkle and will fit so much more nicely than just folded or thrown in a bag. Items like jeans, jackets, and sweaters should be folded as flat as possible. I like to make the bulkier items my firm base in my bag and then fit everything else around them or around shoes.

3: Picking Outfits Before You Leave

This has saved me so much room over the years. If you lay out all your outfits and not just pick things you want to wear this ensures you in fact have enough outfits. I found myself in the past just picking items that I thought would look good, but when I actually got to where I was going I did not have enough clothes for my trip. Picking item that can also share bottoms or tops is a good way to cut down on clothes. Bring one two pairs of jeans, instead of one for every time you will wear jeans. Bring jackets and sweaters that can be worn with many outfits; because you never know what the weather will be when you are actually there. Umbrellas are key if you are going to an area that might have rain. Or even a raincoat is a good idea and can be worn even when it is not raining.

4: Liquids and Fitting it all

DO NOT OVER PACK. I promise you that your destination will have a store if you need a liquid you cannot fit in your little plastic baggy per TSA regulations. But, I think you can pack it all. Instead of body wash pack a bar of soap. Instead of taking the whole container, just getting little containers for it will save you so much space. Please do not bring all your liquid makeup; you will never use it all (at least I don’t). Overall, just reduce to the minimum of what you need. This can also save you so much space and weight in your bag. This can make sure you pack more clothes than shampoo.  

5: No more tangled jewelry

You want to bring all your lovely necklaces, however you do not want them all to wear each other in a big knot. I have solved this problem for you (you are so welcome). Go get yourself, those little velvet or meshy drawstring baggies. I have never even had to buy them because I have received so many things in them. Just put every necklace in its own little bag and earrings can be all together. Then it is perfect to put in a cute pouch all together. With Bracelets I tend to just place them in one little pouch together and then rings as well. Earrings I will at times put in different little pouches. I am also person who believes in overpacking of jewelry because it is small and can change an outfit greatly. You can pack less clothes and make it feel new with a fun pair of earrings.

6: What to do about shoes

I love shoes, and I love unique shoes. But when packing for a trip for space sake I try to take 2-3 pairs. This is because if I bring more than that I might not wear them or they just take up too much space. I normally go for shoes that will go with most all of my outfits and always have a purpose on the trip. Once I pick them I normally try to place them at the top of my bag and wrap them up in something. I will use a plastic baggie, but you could invest in shoe bags to be more eco friendly. I personally do not like my shoes to touch my clothes because they have been walked in and have touched the street and floor (I will spare you from facts about bacteria on the bottom of shoes. But if this is interesting to you read this).

So there are my tips. I hope that you find them helpful and can help you have the best trip possible! If there is less baggage then there is an easier time moving around and getting to your destination. I also find more peace when traveling when I know exactly what I am wearing and how much I have of everything and where it is stored. Plus who doesn’t love getting somewhere and not having their jewelry all mangled together. Happy Travels!