Travel Tips
Travel Smarter
While the first step toward any trip often centers on destination research, airline pricing and accommodations, the most overwhelming part undoubtedly occurs during the packing stage. Filling our suitcases quickly becomes a game to see how much stuff we can fit inside before our clothes burst the seams and zippers. We waver between bringing just one more thing and what we could live without, all to relieve the anxiety of not being fully prepared.
But with just a few basic tips and tricks, you can learn how to pack like a pro and minimize accessories while maximizing space. You might actually enjoy prepping for your next trip, rather than worrying about all the things you left behind.
Start with the Right Equipment
Although it’s tempting to pull out the biggest suitcase possible, smaller is better. Carry- on luggage is perfect for air travel and eliminates the need to pay extra for a checked bag, while duffel bags easily conform to the trunk of your car during road trips.
Victoria Moreland, director of public affairs at Southwest Florida International Airport, advises travelers to check their air carrier’s website for weight and size information regarding luggage, including carry- ons.
“You don’t want to arrive at the airport and experience more fees than you accounted for,” she says, “Policies vary from airline to airline, so make sure you double- check before heading out.”
Travel- size toiletries are another great way to maximize the space of a smaller carry- on bag, but it’s always wise to check the Transportation Security Administration’s website— tsa. gov— for what you can and cannot take with you. All liquids should be less than 3.4 ounces and placed in plastic zip- top bags for easy screening.
Decide What You Really Need
Before pulling out a single article of clothing to tuck away in your suitcase, create your own packing checklist of the essential items you need to take with you. This is a great way to start thinking about what you really need for your upcoming trip. Compiling
“PEOPLE TEND TO BUY NEW CLOTHES, SHOES AND ACCESSORIES FOR A PARTICULAR TRIP, BUT I ALWAYS SUGGEST YOU STICK WITH THOSE THINGS YOU ALREADY KNOW FIT WELL, ARE COMFORTABLE AND WORK WELL WITH OTHER ITEMS YOU’RE PACKING.”
— MARLA OTTENSTEIN, PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
your list at least one week in advance eliminates that rushed feeling of packing the day before you’re planning to depart.
Marla Ottenstein, Naples- based professional organizer who posts her tips on the website ProfessionalOrganizerFlorida.com and writes the Get Organized column for the Naples Daily News, suggests travelers find a place, such as a guest bedroom, to put aside items they think they’ll want to take with them. This is just a starting point from which items can be added or removed.
“People tend to buy new clothes, shoes and accessories for a particular trip, but I always suggest you stick with those things you already know fit well, are comfortable and work well
with other items you’re packing. Be sure to pack a few days in advance and then repack a day or two before you leave to edit.”
Ottenstein also encourages the use of a detailed, day- by- day list for each trip to use as a guide when packing, so you know exactly how you’re going to dress and when.
TRAVEL- SIZE TOILETRIES ARE ANOTHER GREAT WAY TO MAXIMIZE THE
SPACE OF A SMALLER CARRY- ON BAG, BUT IT’S ALWAYS WISE TO CHECK THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION’S WEBSITE— TSA. GOV— FOR WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT TAKE WITH YOU.
“You don’t have to wear a different outfit every day,” she says, “Pack like you dress at home, and make sure everything you pack has multiple purposes.”
Choosing a neutral color scheme, such as brown, beige or black, reduces clothing down to those pieces that easily mix and match, and one or two classic sets of jewelry will go with practically any attire. For a fun statement piece, make sure it complements several outfits, and leave more expensive items at home.
When packing footwear, Ottenstein recommends taking no more than three pairs and advises against packing an outfit that requires a separate set of shoes. “Everything you take should be able to go with at least three different items,” she says.
Maximize Space as Much as Possible
After eliminating all non- essentials, pack a suitcase starting with the heaviest items on the bottom and arrange in such a way as to fill in the crevices created by luggage handles. Shoes, rolled jeans and toiletry bags are the perfect place to start, while padded jewelry pouches can easily fit within smaller openings.
Other tricks include storing fragile items in the middle of clothes to reduce damage, and stuffing socks inside of shoes. Rolled shirts and pants not only lessen wrinkles, they also make room for even more clothes.
Lastly, if there’s simply no way to fit anything else inside your suitcase, travel compression bags work wonderfully in a pinch. Clear zip- top storage bags function just as well, but for less money.
Despite our habitual need to take more and more items with us on an overnight business trip or weekend away, you can get by with less. The clothes you pack for a week can easily last an entire month if you are strategic about what you pack and how you pack itn.