Stop Over Packing!

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I admit it, I over pack all the time!  My only saving grace has been I know how to fit a lot into a small space.  With weight restrictions in place for checked bags my once saving grace became my enemy.  So I have been searching for ways to pack more effectively.  I recently read an article by Cruise Critic about this very topic.  They had some great tips and I’m passing them on to you along with some of my favorite tricks.

 

When picking out your clothes for your vacation, think monochromatic.  Picking a pallet that has similar colors means you can mix and match.  I usually keep the slacks or capris neutral so that I can wear a variety of tops with them.  I am not a shoe person, so keeping shoe options to a minimum is not challenging for me.  But if you pack similar shades of clothing you can limit the number of shoes you bring.

 

Going to a cooler climate?  Think layers.  You can stretch your options by wearing the same shirt under several other outerwear options.  Again if clothing items are from a similar pallet you can mix and match.  One other space saving options is to carry or wear your warmer bulkier coat or jacket while traveling.  You might feel a little silly carrying a jacket in the middle of summer but it will save you space in your suitcase!  Besides, if the plane is too cold you won’t need a blanket. 

 

Keep the shoes to a minimum.  They take up a lot of room.  This is where picking that color pallet really pays off.  I usually wear my most comfortable walking shoes on the day we travel so that my feet stay nice and comfy.  I’ll pack a couple of pairs of flip flops and a pair of dress shoes that will go with the dresses I have picked for the trip.  Also, don’t let shoes go empty.  Fill the shoes with other items to make good use of your space.  I often put socks, lotion, hairspray, and other items inside my shoes.

 

I read an article that talked about the rule of two.  Pick one outfit for day and one for evening for every day of your trip.  Then divide that in half.  No one will notice if you wear the same thing twice.  By changing it up with a scarf or more elaborate jewelry you can change the look of an outfit.  You can also wash out clothing in the bathroom sink and hang to dry if necessary.  On cruise ships, there are laundry facilities so you can do laundry part way through your vacation.

 

It might be a little more expensive but many items come in single use packages.  Insect repellant, hand sanitizer, and lotions often come in small containers or single use wipes or packets.  These are great space savers as well as easy to carry with you when out and about.  Not to mention, when they are gone, you have more room for those items you just couldn’t pass up.

 

Some people really swear by rolling your clothing.  I really haven’t found that to be particularly helpful.  Try it and see what you think.  I use a lot of Ziploc bags.  Not only do they keep things organized and together, they also protect your clothing from things that might leak.  Sunscreen, hairspray, and perfume all go in Ziploc bags.  I usually use the toiletries provided by the hotel/cruise line.  This saves me from packing shampoo, soaps, and lotions most of the time.  I also put my chargers and chords in Ziploc bags to keep them together and organized.  In my purse I keep all my lotions, lip balm, lip gloss, and other items that are considered “liquids” in Ziploc bags so that I never have to worry about them getting lost and/or being confiscated because the package is too large.  If it fits in my Ziploc, it usually passes inspection.

 

Packing for vacation is always a learning process.  When you return from a trip, take a good look at your luggage and take stock on what was used and what wasn’t.  You can learn a lot by what never made it out of the bag and what you wish you had more of.  Now that we are traveling more as travel agents I have learned to be more careful about what I pack but I still manage to over pack.  But now I can over pack and still meet the weight requirement.  Is that a good thing?