Five Packing Tips from Someone Who’s Always Packing

Yes, I’m (we’re) heading away again soon. (I’ll keep the destination a secret for now.) My packing list is out, and I’m checking things off. Over the years, I’ve become a much better packer, but I’m still working on perfecting that. Here are five packing tips that you might find useful. Some are from me; some aren’t.

One: Use a packing list. If you don’t, you will likely forget something. Not that long ago, I decided to forego using my list when packing for a short weekend trip. The first morning of the trip, I had to borrow a pair of my husband’s underwear because I had packed none of my own. I have everything on my list, even if I don’t need some items for every trip. For example, I don’t always need sea bands or a beach bag or long underwear or binoculars, but I’ll never forget them if I do need to bring them. Need a packing list? Here’s one you can start with.      

Two: There’s a packing guideline that says you should go with one or two colour schemes so your clothes can be easily mixed and matched. Unknowingly, I’ve been following that guideline forever because my wardrobe consists of mainly black, white, and gray, so those are the colours I pack. That would be an achromatic colour scheme. If you’re wondering what types of colour schemes there are, check this out. I’m actually finding this concept of colour schemes very useful and might change things up a bit in my future forays into packing.  

Three: I’ve become a fan of rolling my clothes. Really, it does keep wrinkles to a minimum. And, it does help you maximize space in your suitcase because you can tuck rolled items nicely into the corners and along the sides of your suitcase. I even tuck rolled items into my shoes to keep the latter from getting squashed. Here’s a great “wikiHow” on rolling clothes. Some items, like bulky sweaters, don’t roll well, so I fold them and use them as cushions/padding on the top and bottom of my suitcase.

Four: I’m starting to embrace the idea of packing cubes—one for underwear, one for socks, one for odds and ends like a first aid kit, an extra pair of glasses, a universal sink plug, etc. I use one for electronics (adaptors, convertors, charging cables/cubes, portable power bank, extension cord—yes, one often comes with us on long trips because outlets can be in inconvenient places) but that cube comes in my carry-on just in case my checked luggage doesn’t arrive at destination when I do. I may eventually move to putting my tops in a packing cube, my skirts in another, my dresses in another, my pants in another, etc., because, since most of my clothes are black, white, or gray, I inevitably pull out a black skirt thinking it’s a black top or vice versa. Want more info about packing cubes? Here you go.

Five: Be a minimalist. Load a bunch of books onto your e-reader; leave the print versions at home. Take shoes that are versatile. I take a pair of Crocs™ black sandals that I can walk all day, wear at the beach, and clean up to wear out at night. The only other shoes I need to pack are runners/hiking shoes and perhaps a pair of dressy little boots. One cleverly chosen (probably black) wrap/shawl works as a shawl, of course, but also as a scarf, a blanket, and a beach cover-up/sarong. One right-size purse works for when you’re out sightseeing in the daytime or having dinner in the evening. Make-up? Mascara, eyeliner and a combination-lip-cheek colour stick. Oh, and a nice shampoo bar works as shampoo, soap, and face wash. More minimalist packing tips here.

Now, I’d better finish packing.