The art of the perfectly packed suitcase
There are two types of people in the world: There are those who take a decidedly laissez-faire approach to packing, tipping a jumble of randomly-selected clothes and shoes into their suitcase as they breeze out the door, and those who compile detailed packing lists, spend ages laying out possible outfit combinations, and agonize over colour coordination. Guess which type of person I am?
Packing for a trip – whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a multi-week excursion – is just something I can’t take lightly. I’ve tried that approach once or twice, and it ultimately left me with a stack of cardigans large enough to clothe most of Victoria’s population but no t-shirts to wear with them. Tragic, right? And so for the greater good of travellers everywhere, I’ve developed this simple guide to the perfectly packed* suitcase.
* Disclaimer: Results may vary. I take no responsibility for suitcases so tightly packed that they explode open while in transit, or suitcases so heavy that they might as well contain concrete blocks.
1. Choose your carry-on-sized suitcase carefully. It might be tempting to go for that cute and cheap patterned suitcase from the slightly sketchy discount luggage shop in the basement of the mall, but consider yourself warned: You will be the person who opens up the overhead bin at the end of a particularly turbulent flight to discover that the zipper has broken and your underwear is now scattered along the length of the plane. It might also be tempting to add a few extra inches of space by buying a larger suitcase, but think about this: You will be forced to check your suitcase and it will inevitably end up on the wrong flight, landing halfway across the globe from your destination and leaving you with no choice but to recycle the same boring travel clothes day in and day out.
(Obviously, the carry-on strategy isn’t really practical for trips over two weeks long, which is why I’m about to break my own rule and acquire a behemoth of a suitcase then offer up fervent prayers to the god of travel that my luggage actually arrives in Paris at the same time as I do.)
2. Pack entire outfits for distinct occasions. Want to bring that favourite skirt? Great. Just make sure you’ve got at least one top that matches it, and don’t forget the details: Coordinating tights, shoes, jewellery, and a cardigan or jacket. And make sure you’ll actually have an occasion to wear that skirt, or you’re better off leaving it at home. Try to pick one colour palette or overall look and bring only clothes that work within it. I always end up packing clothes in black, grey, dusty plum and slate blue, which all work beautifully together (and won’t look dirty as quickly as, say, a wardrobe of white and cream tones will).
3. You can fit more than you think in there. First of all, disregard what those so-called packing pros have told you about rolling your clothes. They know nothing, or at least nothing that applies to people who travel with actual suitcases and not battered backpacks. Fold, don’t roll. It uses up less space in small suitcases, and it’s easier to slip stacks of clothing into extra-large ziplock bags to keep them organized and to make sure they stay clean. Have something really wrinkle-prone? Fold it with a few sheets of tissue paper, or group several similar items and fold them all together (this works well with skirts and dresses). Items like scarves (which, by the way, are essential – do not underestimate the power of a scarf to add variety to your travel wardrobe) can be wedged into the spaces between the ziplock bags, and don’t forget that the insides of your shoes (particularly running shoes) are viable storage areas for bags of small accessories. Finally, only use the outside compartments on the suitcase for small, soft, relatively flat items (ballet flats or sandals work well). Anything you stuff in here might make the suitcase too bulky to fit in the overhead bin, and it’s really easy for things in here to get squished (do not pack bottles of hair product or sunscreen in the outside compartments. I speak from experience). Remember, it’s not about packing light – it’s about packing well.
4. Act like your suitcase doesn’t weigh a ton when you’re hauling it through security or hefting it into the overhead bin. Sure, it might feel like it’s full of bricks, and it might be this close to breaking your back or dislocating your shoulder, but a little bit of pain will never compare to the smug feeling you’ll have when you remember that you managed to fit five pairs of shoes, a full-sized hair dryer, and enough clothing to stock a small boutique into a carry-on suitcase.
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