Packing Tips

 “There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.”

Charles Dudley Warner

1.   Pack items that coordinate.  You'd be surprised how many different outfits you can come up with from just 2 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, a jacket and a few accessories, as long as they all coordinate.  

2.   Pack like you're in the military.  They can pack everything they need for months in a duffle bag.  Some things save space when rolled, and travel better that way.  For example - Tshirts.  Fold both sides in toward the back of the shirt so that sides almost touch in back.  Turn back the sleeves.  Fold in half by bringing the hem end up to the shoulers, roll up from the fold to the top, then grab both ends of your roll and pull to stretch.  That final tug gets rid of a lot of wrinkles.  It takes a little practice, but it saves space when packing.

3.  Not everything should be rolled.  If you have a dress, nice pants, or jacket, that you do not want to get wrinkled then do this - lay half of the item in the bottom of the suitcase (like the slacks from the knee down), then place your rolled and folded items on top of the item.  Then bring the top half of the item up and over the rolled and folded items, so that you have a sort of sandwich of the other clothes.  This prevents the more delicate item from having deep wrinkles that come from hard, flat folds.

4.  Take some plastic bags, for anything that doesn't get dry.  You won't want to bring the wet stuff home packed in your suitcase with the rest of your clothes.  Many times I have gone swimming the last day of a trip and my swimsuit was still wet when I was packing.  Thank goodness I had a plastic bag.

5.   Shoes are caverns waiting to be filled.  Stuff the shoes with spare socks, or any small items that you are packing.  If your shoes don't pass the smell test, then put the items in one of your plastic bags first, and then stuff them.

Me, wearing Chico's Travelers on a cruise

6.  In the last few years, several companys have specialized in "travel" clothes.  The company I have found that does it best is Chico's Travelers Collection.  http://www.chicos.com/  The clothes are made out of polyester, and they can be wadded up in your suitcase, and still be in perfect condition when you arrive at your destination.  I love the colors and styles that they have.  They are not cheap, but they are well worth the price.  They take up very little space in a suitcase and are wrinkle free.  I have used some of their clothes for very dressy occasions while traveling, and have fit in, even on cruises on their formal nights.

7.  Make a packing list.  I have one general list that I use for all trips.  Each trip varies as to the types of clothes your are packing, but there are quite a few things that you always pack, and it helps to check the list.  Make sure that an umbrella is on the list, you won't always pack an umbrella, but it is something that is easy to forget when you do need it.