How to Pack Efficiently - End the Headaches!

When it comes to packing tips, I sadly do not always practice what I preach.  But that’s O.K.; just consider me a better coach than player.  Yes, I admit I fall into the I-take-too-much category.  To me, however, that’s better than the I-never-bring-the-right-thing group.  I think it’s most peoples’ goal to strike a happy medium.  I hope the following tips will help you to do just that.

What to Bring

It helps to start off with what you plan to wear on your traveling day.  Depending on the season, I sometimes wear or carry my heaviest-weight sweater and sport my most comfortable shoes.  (Be sure to avoid anything bulky though.)  Next I’ll pack my purse, then my carryon which typically consists of my laptop, a good book, a few important papers, my finer jewelry and the bare essentials for toiletries and medications.  If your luggage doesn’t arrive---which is increasingly the case---you’ll survive a short while just fine with only your absolute necessities. 

Now it’s time to figure out your wardrobe.  I often like to start out with shoes and work my way up since shoes are key to comfort and also to creating a smart look at home and away.  Plus you can only realistically fit in a few pairs.  Sometimes the toughest decision for me is whether or not I’m going to bring sneaks.  They take up so much room, but they are great to have for an impromptu hike or energetic walk.  Consider bringing a pair of fashionable running shoes that can be more multi-purpose and that are lighter than traditional sneakers.  For both men and women, you’ll want to pack at least one pair of casual shoes or sandals and one pair of dressy footwear in addition to what you’re wearing.  Strive to change up your shoes once a day.

Layering is key and you can best achieve this with non-wrinkable fabrics such as silks, cashmeres, soft, light-weight cottons and a variety of blends.  Save your crisp white blouse for home!  Pack with the idea that you won’t be doing any ironing.

Develop a core selection of basics that you can jazz up with a variety of accessories.  Remember basic does not have to mean drab.  A red stretchy top might figure as a basic for you.  If you choose your clothing and accessories wisely, you should come up with a number of different looks for day and evening.  Now add a few fun pieces because we always want to look our best when we’re away.

Lay everything out and study it.  Now cut it in half.  That’s the tough part for me, but it’s easier to do this if you set your belongings aside at least a couple of days before your travels.  Try to make it a game, subtracting and hopefully adding very little as you go along.  The more last-minute the preparations, the more you’re apt to bring too much. 

Always be sure to bring something cozy you can lounge around in in your hotel room or at a friend’s.  I also like to pack a few scented candles and some packets of my favorite teas so that I can create my own familiar space while on the road.

How to Pack It

I make up for my shortcomings in the quantity of what I bring with my packing prowess.  I have lived as long as six weeks out of my suitcase, often changing hotel rooms every two nights, so I’ve become very adept at organizing my stuff.  I always follow the same method which makes it easy for me to find my belongings when I don’t have the luxury of fully unpacking my bag.  Here, too, I begin with my shoes that I slip into little cloth bags (O.K., decent plastic works as well---but no grocery bags since they hardly make you feel stylish.).  I then wedge them into one of the top corners of the suitcase.  Next I place three piles of neatly folded T-shirts, sweaters, pajamas, scarves and shawls on the bottom, saving room in the opposite top corner for my toiletry case, make up bag and slippers.  Unmentionables and other small items are tucked into any open spaces, making sure to keep all together as much as possible.  Then I carefully arrange my finest clothes on hangers and cover them with plastic dry cleaner bags, usually a few items at a time.  I fold these down over all that I’ve placed on the bottom, zip up my bag and am ready to go.  I learned this technique from the Haute Couture department at Chanel when they loaned me a couple of suits for a book tour.  It works like a charm!  So when I arrive at my destination, I just pull out my clothing on the hangers, hang them up and take out my toiletry bag.  The rest is so well organized that all remains quite presentable and easy to find.

Did you notice I packed only one bag?  That makes the most sense with today’s many luggage regulations and restrictions imposed on us by the airlines.  If you think you’re going to do some shopping while away, go ahead and bring an additional duffle, but be prepared to pay the extra fees if you can’t fold it into your one bag.

Now if I only could learn to bring less.

By: Maribeth Clemente