Pack Your Suitcase

Pack Your Suitcase


If you travel and take a vacation to get away from it all, don't take it all with you. Here are the secrets to get you packing like a pro.


Step 1 MAKE A CHECKLIST
Check off each item as you pack it.

Step 2 YOUR TRAVEL WARDROBE
The one thing most people pack too much of is clothing. The secret to cutting down on the amount of clothes you pack is to build your wardrobe using two basic colors. By doing this, the same shoes, belts, and accessories can be worn with everything. Since shoes are one of the heaviest items in any bag, pack a maximum of three pairs.

Step 3 THE BASICS OF WRINKLE-FREE PACKING
The secret is to pack your bag in two layers. The first layer should be your heaviest items, and the second (top) layer, your clothing.

Step 4 LAYER #1 (BOTTOM)
Begin with your suitcase open on a flat surface. To maximize space, pack shoes toe-to-heel facing one another with socks stuffed inside them. Place your shoes by the suitcase wheels (this distributes the weight and makes the bag easier to handle). Place belts flat along the perimeter of the bag and any heavy items in the center. Pack squishable items like underwear and socks around the corners and between heavy items.

Step 5 LAYER #2 (TOP)
Now place a packing board on top of these items. If you don't have one, you can use a placemat. A packing board separates your heavy items from your clothing and gives you a flat surface on which to pack your clothes (thus, no wrinkles).
Begin by folding your pants; place the waistband against the left edge of your suitcase with the bottom half of the pants extending over the opposite edge of the case. Pack the second pair of pants using the same method but beginning from the opposite direction.

Leave pant legs outside the suitcase for the time being. Continue by folding shorts, skirts, and dresses along their natural creases, and use the "interlayering" technique of layering each article (still going right to left alternately) until all your pants, shorts, skirts, and dresses are packed.

Next, button up jackets and long-sleeved shirts and fold the sleeves to the back along their natural creases. Slide a dry-cleaner bag over each one and place them in the suitcase. The collars should be at the top edge of the suitcase; the bottom of these items will extend over the opposite edge of the bag closest to you.

Now, roll up all your knit items (the tighter you roll them, the fewer the wrinkles). Pack them next to one another on top of the layered clothing, leaving the original articles extended over the edges of the bag. When you have utilized every inch of space, bring the pant legs up and over the rolled items inside the case, alternating sides as you go.

Then fold up the bottom of the jackets and dress shirts. The benefit of having the packing board in the center of the bag is that you can lift out the top layer without disturbing it and retrieve or add items to the bottom layer.

Step 6 SUPER PACKING TIPS

• If you can't wheel or carry your bag with ease, you've packed too much.
• Dry-cleaner bags (plastic) allow items to move freely without getting stuck in a wrinkled position.
• Pack everything possible inside a plastic bag. This keeps items well organized and protected in case anything leaks.
• Organize children's clothing by packing an entire outfit in a large freezer bag. This saves time searching through luggage for individual items.
• Pack women's shoes inside men's shoes (if possible), saving valuable packing space.
• Always cover shoes with a shoe bag to avoid getting soil inside your suitcase.
• Compression bags are the solution for the over-packer because you can pack up to three times as much in the same amount of space. Since they seal in odors and moisture, they're great for wet swimsuits, damp workout gear, and laundry.
• Hanging toiletry bags are the answer to organizing your personal-care items when there's limited counter space. Always pack travel-size toiletries to save space.
• Never pack makeup in your toiletry bag, just in case something leaks.
• If you can't live without a hairdryer, call your hotel in advance and ask if they provide them. One less thing to pack if they do!