Do you tend to overpack for trips and end up frustrated and only using half the stuff you packed? With these tips, you can learn to travel light and organize your travel bag like a pro on your next vacation.
Preplan
You can never be too prepared for a trip. Make a list of all of the absolute essentials you need while you're traveling. I like to organize my packing list into four categories: toiletries, electronics, clothing and misc. To help plan your outfits, make a list of all the events you will be attending on your trip.
Invest in quality luggage
Having a bag that is reliable and durable is very important for traveling. A Voxn Clothing, women's technical brand in Boise, you can purchase different travel accessories such as the travel bag. This bag comes in two colors and has a secret pocket that unzips and attaches to your suitcase so it won't fall.
Use a capsule wardrobe
To begin planning your outfits, take a look at the list of events you made earlier. Once you have an idea of what kind of outfits you need, you can decide what to use to build your capsule wardrobe.
A capsule wardrobe is a wonderful way to pack for a trip. The idea is that you bring a few staple pieces that go together to make countless outfit options. As an example, these 12 garments make up over 25 unique outfits:
- 1 pair of shorts
- 1 skirt
- 1 pair of jeans
- 2 button ups
- 1 sweater
- 1 dress
- 2 purses
- 4 pairs of shoes
Follow the Neutral Rule
The 'Neutral Rule' calls for choosing to pack only neutral bottoms or neutral tops and styling your outfits with colors accordingly. For example, if you choose neutral bottoms then pack colorful tops or vice versa. This way you can easily pack coordinated outfits while also packing less clothing. To learn more you can read our blog post on the latest 2021 fashion trends to look out for when you're planning what to wear on your trip.
Roll clothing in balls
Rolling up your garments maximizes the space in your bag and also helps keep clothes from getting wrinkly.
Utilize shoes for storage
Your shoes can take up a lot of precious space in your bag. Don't let there be any dead space, no matter what! Stuff those shoes and any empty spaces with miscellaneous items like socks, underwear etc.
Separate clean and worn clothes
For this you can use any type of bag. Whether you plan on doing laundry on your trip or waiting until you return home, it is always a good idea to separate worn clothes from clean clothes. I personally just reuse plastic grocery bags if I don't have a portable laundry bag.
Reuse bags for organization
Speaking of reusing bags- you know those zip-up cubes that package your new bedding? Don't toss them out! They actually make the perfect packing cubes because their clear outside makes it easy to quickly find what you need in your bag.
Use contact cases for your skincare regimen
I love this hack: contact cases make the perfect travel size containers. Use a sharpie to mark the cap to identify what the products are. This is the best way of getting your multi-step skincare regimen through TSA.
Keep a dryer sheet in your bag
This is an easy tip to help keep all your clothes smelling fresh for the duration of your trip.
Leave extra space
It's always a good idea to leave room for things you might buy. If you plan on making a lot of purchases on your trip, pack a duffle bag that can be stored in your suitcase and used as a carryon for your return trip.