Take the pain out of packing
Make it a best case scenario this summer with some expert advice
Thanks to Covid, many Brits have not been on a proper holiday in two years.
Bookings for this summer are booming though.
New research by online personal styling service, Stitch Fix, reveals that nearly seven in ten (68%) Brits have not been abroad since the start of the pandemic. But nearly half (48%) are planning a holiday abroad this year.
Stitch Fix’s research also revealed that when it comes to packing for a summer break, Brits’ top suitcase staples are T-shirts, shorts and sandals.
Almost half of us admit to leaving packing until the last minute. So it’s perhaps no surprise that more than half of us (53%) say we regularly pack items that go unworn, most notably jumpers, jeans and heels.
To help take the pain out of packing, Stitch Fix has teamed up organising expert, Sophie Liard, aka The Folding Lady (@thefoldinglady), to get her top tips for suitcase success.
PLAN YOUR OUTFITS
Begin by writing down the events you’ll need an outfit for. This way, you’ll pack smarter and avoid over-packing. Build your outfits one by one and arrange in piles – you can even add specific underwear, so it’s complete. You’ll find this process gives you ideas of how to mix and match your clothes, building multiple outfits out of fewer core items.
GO EASY ON THE SHOES
They take up space, so really think about what you need. My general rule is one pair of trainers, and one pair of sandals. Use shoe bags – these will keep any buckles or laces tidy, and keep the soles away from your clothes. Make the most of the space inside your shoes, too – use it to pack socks and even jewellery.
USE PACKING CUBES
Research reveals that more than half (56%) of holidaymakers fold their clothes when packing, whereas only 29% prefer the rolling technique.
Zip-up cubes are perfect for packing in tidy and organised categories, whatever your preference. You can access your clothes easily and use these in the drawers of your accommodation, too – so anything you don’t end up using, is packed and ready to go.
GARMENT CARE
The main factor that determines creases is the material of the garment.
To test if it’s ‘creasy’, do the scrunch test – grab a bunch of the garment and scrunch, hold for a few seconds, then release. Has it creased?
My advice is to stay away from materials that do not pass the scrunch test, unless it’s linen of course, as everyone expects this to come complete with a crease or two! Also, consider packing travel hangers so you can hang things up on arrival.
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