The light and easy way to travel
TAKING the time to travel can do wonders for a stressed out mind and exhausted body. A holiday can be a wonderfully rejuvenating experience and, as the more well-travelled set would attest to, it broadens the mind and outlook as you experience and absorb different cultures and sights, while meeting interesting new friends on your jaunts.
However, one problem that most people face is the inability to pack light. In light of baggage weight restrictions, an important aspect of packing for a trip, whether a long holiday or just a short getaway, is ensuring that your baggage does not exceed the weight limit.
After all, nothing is more frustrating than discovering your baggage is overweight when you check-in for your flight and that you would either have to pay for the excess weight or take out certain items from your luggage in front of strangers at the airport.
To help you pack light, here are some tips from www.stylist.co.uk, courtesy of fashion consultant and founder of travel essentials website style-passport.com, Sarah Walter.
1. Divide and rule
One rule to ensure everything fits is when you have your selection laid out on your bed, just trim it by half. Drastic, but it forces you to focus and remember all the items you have taken on previous holidays but never wore.
Being comfortable and feeling special are important, so concentrate on items that let you do this.
2. Think what and where
Consider everything you might be doing (tennis, posh dinners, hiking, swimming, city explorations), then put your favourite items for these scenarios on your bed in piles of tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, beauty favourites, jackets/cover-ups and swimwear.
Don’t pack anything that doesn’t have a specific use!
3. Colour code your clothes
Look at everything and choose items if they will work with lots of other pieces.
Thinking of a colour palette makes this simpler.
By ensuring every item of clothing and accessory works with each other, you don’t end up lugging mismatched items that you will not wear.
4. Bury the shoes
Pack shoes at the bottom of your suitcase and surround them with your underwear. Remember to pack into the corners of your bag – lots of space can be wasted by not filling a bag correctly.
5. Roll them up
Roll every item that can be rolled as this will negate creasing. If you take anything remotely tailored, turn it inside out and tuck in the sleeves and it will arrive in the best shape possible.
6. Make room for jerseys
Make sure you pack a couple of jerseys for those cool summer evenings.
They’re comfortable, versatile and pack beautifully.
7. Slip in some scarves
Scarves add very little to your load and will multi-task on holiday like a pro. Use to double over as a mini skirt on the beach, as a cover up over a bikini en-route to the bar, turban style on your head to protect hair during serious sun bathing and, of course, conventionally draped around your neck to brighten up a plain top or protect your shoulders from the sun.
8. Dress for success
Dresses are very hardworking and also scream “holiday glamour”, besides being a good choice for trimming down your suitcase.
Wear it by day with flats, on the beach with flip-flops and sunglasses, and by night with
Take a costume only if you want to seriously swim, dive or snorkel and as many bikinis as you love – after all, they only take up a tiny bit of space.
10. Use a see-through bag
Toiletries bags with see-through compartments are brilliant for organising your essentials, from dry shampoo to sun lotion. They tend to be lightweight and you can check quickly to see if you’ve forgotten anything.
Finally, remember to make sure all skincare and toiletries are contained in less than 50ml bottles if you’re planning to take them on board a flight.
Information from www.stylist.co.uk/fashion/ top-tips-for-holiday-packing