Packing | Travel Tips
Welcome to my Travel Tips series. I wanted to create a series of tips and ideas that'll suit anyone, any time of the year, on any budget for any length of time away on holiday.
I love making lists, being organised and a bit of a freak searching for the best and ultimate way to pack for flights.
I love making lists, being organised and a bit of a freak searching for the best and ultimate way to pack for flights.
Packing is one of the trickiest and most time consuming aspects about travelling. Most people over pack or forget to bring half the stuff they need which leads to over packing on the next trip. A lot of airlines these days charge you to check a suitcase into the hold which can get expensive. Some people, including the experienced travellers, can fit all their belongings into their carry on bag, not having to worry about it being lost. That is amazing but not viable for all of us.
It's not as simple as packing the things you use on a daily basis. The most important key is to only pack the essentials. Yes what's essential to you is different to the next guy. A good way to look at your items is if you can't emotionally or finically afford to lose an item, then don't pack it.
I have done a fair bit of travelling both around Australia and internationally from when I was 12 and just recently in December, so I have some packing tips to share. Firstly a week or so before you leave make a list of the all the items you think you'll need, right down to phone charger. Go buy what you don't have.
When choosing what clothes to bring, remember it's all about making your trip as easy and less hassle for you. Go for clothing the is as wrinkle resistant as possible such as the nylon, elastane and polyester fabrics. While you can use a hair straightener or steam from a shower to 'iron' clothes, a traditional iron may not be available. You also want clothing that is lightweight. Even for colder climates, layer up your clothes as they'll take up much less room then a padded jacket.
Clothes Tips
Having a neutral colour scheme will reduce the clothes but increase outfits. Have a maximum of 3 bottoms and 3 tops per bottom. Add colour through statement jewellery pieces. Try on your tops and bottoms to see what works for you and how versatile a piece can be. Consider versatile items of clothing such as maxi dresses, long skirts, ¾ shorts and playsuits for anytime of the day for anyone.
When you think of something you need, pack it. Never pack what you haven't worn before. If you hate a clothing item at home, you'll hate it on your trip. Remember none is going to recognise what you wore or if you wore it 2 days in a row.
Lay all your items out and remove ⅓, your very unlikely to wear this. Roll and stuff socks into shoes. Place shoes into old laundry bags/ shower caps/ dust bags/ plastic bags in the same orientation as they come newly brought from a store; heel to toe. This way other items in your luggage won't get dirt on them. Store shoes along the long sides of a suitcase. Roll non wrinkle clothes. Bundle wrinkle prone clothes so the more tailored garments. Stuff rolled items such as swimwear, tights and scarfs into remaining gaps.
Other Small Items Tips
Store underwear in the top mesh compartment in the suitcase, in it's own separate laundry bag, mesh cube or even if you can find a laundry bag with a dirty and clean compartment. Add in a toiletries bag (the hook with separate compartments are great) and any other large/ delicate items like a hairdryer, sun hat or perfume in the middle of the suitcase. Place the bundle of wrinkle prone clothes of top. Placing a spare dry cleaner bag underneath this will create and even layer, a the clothes naturally adjust to the slipperiness of the bag reducing any pockets of air, making the clothes smoothed out.
It's best to keep jewellery in a jewellery roll, however placing the items in a glasses case will be great as its sturdy and portable. A padded purse or a zip lock bag is great options. Thread a drinking straw through a necklace to stop tangles. Store small rings and earrings in a small contact lens container.
Toilteries Bag
Really the aim is to not spend additional money for the holiday before you even leave for your holiday. There are many companies producing plastic travel sized containers to fill with your own products. However if you'll use it after your trip then it can be justified.
Pack as little as you can. Sample sized products are perfect for travelling. A great tip is to try not to pack what you can buy at your destination. For example if your hair shampoo is in a massive pump bottle, instead of buying either a miniature version or a plastic travel container to put it in, buy some at your destination. This does depend on the country your travelling to.
The same theory goes with makeup and skincare. Take as little as you can and try out samples where you can. I know for makeup junkies this is near impossible. So pack multi purpose makeup products or those that can be. A shimmery eyeshadow for the inner corners can double as a cheek highlight and body shimmer. A lipstick can double as a cheek tint (depending on colour and formula).
There are travel size brush sets available but those dodgy brushes, puts and sponges you receive with compacts or kits are perfect for travel. Small so they save space. Perhaps they don't perform as well as a normal sized brush, however you can make them work, don't have to worry about cleaning them as much or if at all. And depending on your trip length, once it's over you can throw them out!
Take an eyeshadow palette with colours that can be used for any day and night looks you anticipate. Even better take a palette that has cheek and eye colours in it. Failing these, try family members and friends to see if they have any body/skin/makeup samples they are willing to part with. Perhaps they are waiting to get rid of it? All these ideas will save you space, time and money.
With these tips and research you may be lucky enough to fit it all into your carry on bag and not have to worry about check luggage!
It's not as simple as packing the things you use on a daily basis. The most important key is to only pack the essentials. Yes what's essential to you is different to the next guy. A good way to look at your items is if you can't emotionally or finically afford to lose an item, then don't pack it.
I have done a fair bit of travelling both around Australia and internationally from when I was 12 and just recently in December, so I have some packing tips to share. Firstly a week or so before you leave make a list of the all the items you think you'll need, right down to phone charger. Go buy what you don't have.
When choosing what clothes to bring, remember it's all about making your trip as easy and less hassle for you. Go for clothing the is as wrinkle resistant as possible such as the nylon, elastane and polyester fabrics. While you can use a hair straightener or steam from a shower to 'iron' clothes, a traditional iron may not be available. You also want clothing that is lightweight. Even for colder climates, layer up your clothes as they'll take up much less room then a padded jacket.
Clothes Tips
Having a neutral colour scheme will reduce the clothes but increase outfits. Have a maximum of 3 bottoms and 3 tops per bottom. Add colour through statement jewellery pieces. Try on your tops and bottoms to see what works for you and how versatile a piece can be. Consider versatile items of clothing such as maxi dresses, long skirts, ¾ shorts and playsuits for anytime of the day for anyone.
When you think of something you need, pack it. Never pack what you haven't worn before. If you hate a clothing item at home, you'll hate it on your trip. Remember none is going to recognise what you wore or if you wore it 2 days in a row.
Lay all your items out and remove ⅓, your very unlikely to wear this. Roll and stuff socks into shoes. Place shoes into old laundry bags/ shower caps/ dust bags/ plastic bags in the same orientation as they come newly brought from a store; heel to toe. This way other items in your luggage won't get dirt on them. Store shoes along the long sides of a suitcase. Roll non wrinkle clothes. Bundle wrinkle prone clothes so the more tailored garments. Stuff rolled items such as swimwear, tights and scarfs into remaining gaps.
Other Small Items Tips
Store underwear in the top mesh compartment in the suitcase, in it's own separate laundry bag, mesh cube or even if you can find a laundry bag with a dirty and clean compartment. Add in a toiletries bag (the hook with separate compartments are great) and any other large/ delicate items like a hairdryer, sun hat or perfume in the middle of the suitcase. Place the bundle of wrinkle prone clothes of top. Placing a spare dry cleaner bag underneath this will create and even layer, a the clothes naturally adjust to the slipperiness of the bag reducing any pockets of air, making the clothes smoothed out.
It's best to keep jewellery in a jewellery roll, however placing the items in a glasses case will be great as its sturdy and portable. A padded purse or a zip lock bag is great options. Thread a drinking straw through a necklace to stop tangles. Store small rings and earrings in a small contact lens container.
Toilteries Bag
Really the aim is to not spend additional money for the holiday before you even leave for your holiday. There are many companies producing plastic travel sized containers to fill with your own products. However if you'll use it after your trip then it can be justified.
Pack as little as you can. Sample sized products are perfect for travelling. A great tip is to try not to pack what you can buy at your destination. For example if your hair shampoo is in a massive pump bottle, instead of buying either a miniature version or a plastic travel container to put it in, buy some at your destination. This does depend on the country your travelling to.
The same theory goes with makeup and skincare. Take as little as you can and try out samples where you can. I know for makeup junkies this is near impossible. So pack multi purpose makeup products or those that can be. A shimmery eyeshadow for the inner corners can double as a cheek highlight and body shimmer. A lipstick can double as a cheek tint (depending on colour and formula).
There are travel size brush sets available but those dodgy brushes, puts and sponges you receive with compacts or kits are perfect for travel. Small so they save space. Perhaps they don't perform as well as a normal sized brush, however you can make them work, don't have to worry about cleaning them as much or if at all. And depending on your trip length, once it's over you can throw them out!
Take an eyeshadow palette with colours that can be used for any day and night looks you anticipate. Even better take a palette that has cheek and eye colours in it. Failing these, try family members and friends to see if they have any body/skin/makeup samples they are willing to part with. Perhaps they are waiting to get rid of it? All these ideas will save you space, time and money.
With these tips and research you may be lucky enough to fit it all into your carry on bag and not have to worry about check luggage!
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