Packing your suitcase before a trip is a bit of an art and a bit of an exact science. You cannot carry the whole wardrobe with you, so some planning is necessary, in order to eliminate stress and make sure you have everything you need on hand during the trip. Learn to make the right decisions about what to bring and discover all the secrets to be able to keep in order what you will bring with you and to fit everything in the suitcase.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Choose What to Bring
Step 1. Choose versatile clothing
When you pack your bags, you certainly can't afford to carry your entire wardrobe, so try to have some judgment. Make sure you include only the most useful and reusable clothes for the short period of time of your trip. Only carry clothes that you can use over and over without worrying about washing or looking sloppy.
- For example, it will probably be advisable to bring a jacket suitable for different climates, instead of bringing one for rain, one for when it's cold and others for various purposes. Bring clothes that can be used on most occasions.
- If possible, try to bring only one pair of shoes. Carrying more than a pair typically takes up too much space and can overly clutter your suitcase. If in doubt, choose a good pair of sturdy shoes suitable for more than one occasion.
Step 2. Bring lots of laundry
Wherever you go and no matter how long you are away, you will need enough socks and underwear for every day of your trip. You can always get by wearing a T-shirt twice in a row, but it is essential to make sure you have enough underwear to cover the entire trip.
If you are going to be away for a long time, it is advisable to bring 5-7 pairs of socks and underwear to avoid having to go to the laundry more than once a week
Step 3. Take into account the climate of your destination
It may not be necessary to bring heavy clothes for a trip to the sea, but remember that in winter, even in Rimini it is quite cold. What kind of weather are you likely to face on your trip? Know the typical climate of the area and bring suitable clothes.
It is always advisable to dress in layers, even if you expect to find nice weather. It's best to avoid getting caught in unexpected showers without having the right clothes
Step 4. Find out about any special occasions to consider
If you are packing to go to a wedding, obviously you will need to bring smart clothes. But for a family reunion? Or to go on vacation? Will shorts and sandals be enough or will you need something nice for a nice evening? Make sure you take into account any formal events you may encounter that may require some quality attire.
A good sweater is always a versatile choice. It will help you stay warm in cold weather and be formal enough for a dinner out, plus it will definitely be more practical than a suit or elegant dress
Step 5. Don't forget your bathroom accessories
Arrange all the essentials in a special bag, possibly with a hook, so that you can hang it on the towel rail. It is advisable to use a waterproof bag, so as not to dirty the rest of the clothes if something spills during the trip.
- If you are concerned that the shampoo bottle may leak, wrap the cap of each bottle with cellophane and then remove it upon arrival.
- If you're going on vacation for a week or two, don't bring a standard-sized tube of toothpaste, but take a travel-sized one. In addition, you can also buy travel toothbrushes in various shops, which are smaller and more comfortable to carry.
Method 2 of 3: Let It All In
Step 1. Choose an appropriately sized suitcase
The ideal suitcase for carrying clothes should be light and with enough space for all the items you will need. Older or rigid suitcases have extremely limited capacity and can be quite heavy. A suitcase made of a thin material can accommodate more items than it looks, as the fabric tends to stretch. Also, if you own a trolley, so much the better for your back.
Step 2. Proceed in layers
An excellent way to save space while keeping all your clothing organized is to think of your suitcase in terms of different layers. Layer a layer of heavy clothing on the bottom, such as jeans, sweaters, and jackets, rolling and squeezing them tightly as you insert them. This way you will not only minimize wasted space, but prevent them from moving during the journey.
If you need to carry fragile items that you can't fit in your hand luggage, place them in the center of the bag, on top of the layer of warm clothing, to protect them and prevent them from breaking
Step 3. Keep items that tend to wrinkle neatly folded
On top of the bottom layer of heavy clothing, place the more delicate or formal clothing that needs to remain neatly folded. In this way you will be able to extract them more easily on arrival, and then hang them immediately. You can also try putting them in a laundry bag to prevent them from wrinkling.
Step 4. Roll up items that don't need to be folded
The next layer should consist of lighter clothing, such as t-shirts and underwear, rolled up tightly to prevent them from moving. Since this type of garment does not wrinkle, in fact, this is the best way to put them in a suitcase. By rolling them you can keep them together and save space - and it is also a smart solution for putting on forgotten clothes at the last minute.
Step 5. Fill the remaining space with smaller objects
Any light additional items, such as underwear, belts, socks and more, can be slipped into any available corner to stabilize the suitcase. It doesn't matter if it squeezes, push it hard.
Your shoes are excellent hiding places to house smaller items and fill any unused space. Always take advantage of the presence of zips and small cavities to obtain the maximum possible space
Step 6. Place bathroom accessories on top
Place the bag containing the bathroom accessories on top of your clothes, then simply close the suitcase and you're done. If you are unable to close the zip, it is important to avoid pulling and tearing the fabric or breaking the zip. Use a little pressure to lower the zip as much as possible, if necessary, but if it still does not exceed the critical point, do not use too much force. Don't run the risk of having to buy a new suitcase at the last minute!
Step 7. Keep an eye on the baggage weight limit
If you travel by plane, check the weight limits of the airline you will fly with before starting to pack, in order to avoid any crisis at the airport. Some airlines will allow you to put up to two suitcases under a certain weight limit in the hold for free, while most will only accept one. Others will even ask for a surcharge for any hold baggage and provide for additional payments for excess weight.
It is also advisable to consult a list of the items that can be brought. Some companies allow one carry-on bag and one small bag or backpack that must not exceed a certain size. There are generally no surcharges for hand baggage
Method 3 of 3: Stay Organized
Step 1. Place the items you use most frequently on top of the suitcase
If you have to live with suitcases packed for a while, it is advisable to place the most important or useful items on top, so you can reach them without having to unpack everything. Which items are most important will depend on you and your trip, so plan appropriately.
Step 2. Evaluate the idea of dividing objects into special mesh bags
Some travelers use net bags to divide their items into different groups and keep them separate. For example, you could put all the pajamas, underwear and smaller items in one bag, and then prepare another for the t-shirts and another for the pants. In this way you can keep everything in order and easily find the various garments; furthermore, it will be easier for you to put everything back in your suitcase when you need to return.
Step 3. Evaluate the idea of dividing the objects according to the suit
If you are a particularly neat type, you can try to divide your outfits by keeping them divided day by day. Use your imagination and try to think about what you would like to wear on each day of the trip; then divide your pants and shirts accordingly, tucking them together or tucking them into a single mesh bag. When the time comes to get dressed, you can simply take the ready-made suit out of the suitcase and you will be ready to wear it.
Step 4. Prepare a space for dirty clothes
Bring an extra laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate from clean ones. This way you won't have to wash them during the trip and you can have a bag to carry them all together in case you need to hit the laundry.
