The most important thing to consider when packing your suitcase for a short trip, lasting approximately three days, is to bring a little more than you need. You don't have to overdo it, otherwise you will have a heavy load and disorganized luggage, but being a little too foresighted is always better than completely unprepared. Follow the logic of the normal daily routine and prepare clothes, hygiene products and everything you need accordingly. Always remember that you have limited space available; the goal is to get by with the fewest items.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Finding the Items You Need
Step 1. Make a list
Lists are perfect for this purpose; of course, you already know the destination of the trip, its duration and what activities you plan to do over the weekend. During the day (before packing your suitcase), write down all the items essential you need or make a list mentally. Write down everything you need: clothes, toiletries, electronic devices, money, documents. When nothing else comes to mind, reread the list. Evaluate which items are not essential, which ones need additional accessories (for example, the cell phone and its charger, contact lenses and their container, toothbrush and toothpaste) and what you may have forgotten.
Step 2. Evaluate the number of bags needed
If the trip is just a weekend, you should be able to pack all your belongings in a backpack or small trolley. Store your books, electronic devices and everything else you need for immediate needs inside a backpack so you can access them easily. Arrange clothes and other bulky items in a travel bag or small suitcase. Choose your baggage before preparing the content, because visualizing the available space helps you in the decision phase.
- Bring one or two bags, depending on the means of transport. If you have to fly, you may want to try to pack everything you need in your hand baggage, to avoid paying the fees for the checked suitcase; you should bring some extra personal belongings instead, if you are traveling by car and have a lot of space in the car.
- Evaluate the destination and how you plan to spend the money. If you plan to buy clothes or other items, leave some free space in your suitcase!
- Put a foldable bag in the front pocket of the suitcase; if your luggage is too heavy, you can transfer some items to this extra container, which is also a great way to carry all the souvenirs you intend to buy.
Step 3. Consider the electronic devices you will need
Are you going to a location with cellular coverage? If you take your computer with you, will you spend all your time typing? Do you want to listen to some music while traveling? Do you need a camera?
- Remember to bring spare chargers and batteries; if you plan to drive a lot, also consider the charger to connect to the car.
- If you are going abroad and do not want to pay the commissions for the roaming service, you can set the mobile phone in "flight mode", but connected to the local Wi-Fi networks; in this way, you have access to e-mail and the internet, in case of need.
Step 4. Bring your ID, travel and contact information with you in case an emergency occurs
Take into consideration what data you need, so that the holiday proceeds in a calm and safe way. Check that you have written down this information or that it is accessible through your smartphone. If you don't have internet access, print out copies of permissions, phone numbers and addresses. Bring the following documents and data with you:
- Your passport, if you plan to go abroad;
- The identity card;
- The name, telephone number and address of the hotel or house where you will reside;
- An emergency contact number.
Step 5. Organize your bags
You need to know for sure where each item is, to avoid finding yourself rummaging in bags looking for them. For example: store all your clothes in an area of the suitcase, bag or container you plan to use. Remember to put all small items, which could be lost in the bag, in a pocket of the bag.
Part 2 of 3: Dresses
Step 1. Start with the basics
Only prepare the items that you are sure you will use, you can add other things later. Bring as many spares as needed and consider adding one more if you have room in your suitcase. Keep in mind the number of clothes you have to wear every day and how many you want to have. If you are going to the beach and a club for a day, you need a change of clothes for the beach and one for the bar, as well as some pajamas for the night.
Add an extra part to the list in case of an emergency. Suppose, for example, your clothes get drenched in rain, but the day isn't over yet; if you have extra clothes, you can change without "damaging" the suits for other scheduled occasions
Step 2. Check the weather conditions
Plan your clothing according to the climate you will encounter at your destination; check the websites or TV shows to understand the weather conditions in the area before going there. If you are going to travel to a tropical or warm area, you can pack lighter clothing, while, if you plan to hike in the tundra, you need layered clothing, which translates into a lot more clothing. Don't pack completely wrong items of clothing to avoid ruining a weekend when you should have fun instead.
- If it gets cold, pack sweaters, pants, hats, and so on. Make sure you bring enough; it is better to be too cautious than completely unprepared.
- If the weather is hot, pack some shorts and t-shirts, but don't forget a couple of warmer items just in case. Meteorologists are unable to provide perfect forecasts, so it is better to be foresight; it may rain a little while you are enjoying the weekend adventure.
Step 3. Choose versatile clothing items
The key factor for the luggage of a short vacation is to choose versatile elements, which you can mix and match according to the situation of the moment. If you've already planned an itinerary, you shouldn't encounter any surprises - however, remember that the weather is unpredictable and you may need to change your mind about the activities you want to do.
- Try to bring clothes that you can wear for several consecutive days; for example, consider packing only one pair of jeans that you can combine with different shirts. Identify the clothes you can wear for two consecutive days; among these there are generally jeans and pajamas, but certainly not underwear.
- Consider the range of colors when choosing clothes; if they are all the same shades, you don't have to bring several elements to match.
Step 4. Choose the right shoes
Keep in mind the activities you will be doing during your trip and plan accordingly. Try not to bring more than two pairs of shoes: one for walking and the second for another activity, such as flip-flops for the beach, high heels or elegant shoes for the evening or slippers for relaxing moments. Store shoes you are not wearing during the trip in a plastic bag from the supermarket or other similar container; you can pack them in your suitcase, if there is space, or carry them separately.
- If you plan to do some outdoor activities (hiking, cycling, running), you should be ready with a pair of sports shoes, to enjoy your vacation without experiencing foot pain.
- If you are going to a fancy place, perhaps it is best not to wear sneakers when everyone else is wearing elegant shoes.
Step 5. Arrange your clothes before packing them
View the combinations between some elements, evaluate how many combinations you have available and organize them based on changes of clothes, color and type.
Step 6. Bring extra underwear
Always pack an extra change of these items in case your period starts early (if you are a woman), participate in activities that make you sweat, and so on.
Step 7. Roll up your clothes instead of folding them
This technique saves space and prevents the formation of wrinkles on the fabrics. Fold the pants in half and then roll them up starting from the bottom; fold the shirts in three parts and roll them from the collar towards the base. This way, you can put all the items on the list in one carry-on bag and you don't have to pay the hateful surcharge to check the suitcase into the hold.
Put garments that tend to wrinkle at the top; if these delicate clothes get compressed under the weight of other objects, they will probably all be wrinkled when you take them out of the suitcase
Part 3 of 3: Bathroom and essential items
Step 1. Assess what you need
Take an inventory of all the personal hygiene items (toothbrush, brush, contact lens fluid, and so on) you use on a regular basis.
Step 2. Store these items in a single bag of your choice
Zip lock bags are perfect; put these items first in the largest bag you are taking - you can leave bulky clothes at home if they don't fit, but you can't do without bathroom items.
Step 3. Bring some medicated wet wipes for the face
They are perfect for cleaning the skin and also for removing make-up; Plus, they take up less space than facial cleanser and you don't have to take them out of your baggage at security. Tip: Sometimes it is better to buy the small packs of spare parts, if they are available, instead of the entire hard tray, especially when you have to carry wet wipes in your suitcase.
Step 4. Get the toothbrush
You can store it in a specific case, in a plastic bag or wrap it in a cloth. Also bring a travel-sized toothpaste, depending on your destination. If you're staying at a friend's house for the weekend, chances are he'll let you borrow his toothpaste. If you are going to a remote chalet instead, it is worth taking it with you!
Step 5. Find travel packages of your bathroom products
You can purchase the reduced-size versions at pharmacies, supermarkets and specialty detergent stores. Consider getting 100ml bottles to reuse for each trip; you can pour the usual hygiene products inside them, calculating the exact quantity you need. Upon return, you can rinse the containers and reuse them on your next trip.
- Air travel restrictions do not allow you to carry more than ten 100ml packages of liquids in your hand baggage; arrange accordingly.
- Take test samples instead of whole packs. This method is perfect for prescription creams and lotions, but also for luxury items like perfumes. You shouldn't risk losing the entire tube of cream or lotion your doctor prescribed, but you still need to take care of your skin. Go to the dermatologist before your trip and see if he can give you test samples.
Step 6. Plan your hairstyle
If the one you have doesn't stand up to water or sweat, bring the tools you need to do it again, in case you get messed up. Get a travel pack of hairspray. You should also let your hair take on its natural shape to save time - who wants to waste precious minutes straightening or curling, when there are so many beautiful things to look at? - even if the lacquer makes them bright and shiny without too much effort.
Step 7. Remember the deodorant
If you opt for perfume, limit yourself to a test sample so as not to risk your favorite fragrance spilling into the suitcase.
Step 8. Don't forget a moisturizer
Traveling can dehydrate the skin, especially on an airplane. Try to get travel packs, just like you did for other personal hygiene items.
Step 9. Determine if you will need makeup (if you are a woman)
Pack your cosmetics, too, if you think you need them, but don't overdo it. If you plan to go out at night, meet people and take lots of pictures, make-up is worth having.
- If the moisturizer is also tinted, you can use it instead of foundation. If not, try to use a stick foundation that can also be used as a concealer (and you won't have to throw it in the trash at airport security). Consider getting compact powder as well, so you don't have a shiny face in the photos you post on Facebook, as well as mascara and your favorite lip gloss.
- If you absolutely must have eyeshadow, find a versatile color case in a compact box that you can pack in your suitcase.
Advice
- Bring few things! Don't pack items you won't use!
- Attach an identification tag to the bag or add a ribbon or other special mark to help you understand that this is your suitcase.
- Always keep spare clothes in your hand luggage if you are traveling by plane and check your suitcase.
- Don't overfill your suitcase.
- Always carry an elegant spare suit with you. You never know when you're going to fall madly in love and you don't want to go out with that charming boy (or girl) in the same outfit you wore to have dinner with your family!
- Find out if there are any shops at your destination to buy flip flops or sandals, socks, cosmetics or other cheap items, just in case (this way, you can avoid packing them and can throw them away at the end of the trip).
- Stay informed about the fashion of the foreign country you visit, so you know what to wear and not risk offending the local culture.
