Going on vacation is the best. Not so fun? Trying to cram your cutest outfits into your suitcase. Indeed, the anxiety of figuring out what to pack (and how to make it all a fit) can put bit of a damper on your pre-getaway excitement.
To the rescue: These savvy packing tips from Good Housekeeping Institute experts. Whether you’re someone who starts packing a week ahead of time or waits until the last minute, these hacks will ensure that your favorite dress doesn’t get wrinkled and you have plenty of room for souvenirs. Keep reading to learn how to pack faster, smarter, and sans stress.
Roll clothes and pack them first.
The best way to prevent creases and make the most of your space is to use the roll method. Lay tops facedown, fold in the sleeves and roll from the bottom up. For pants, put the legs together and roll from the waist down. Once you’ve rolled everything, place pants and tops in your suitcase before shoes and accessories; then, fit in other oddly shaped items like hair tools.
Choose travel-friendly fabrics.
Our Textiles Lab pros always recommend opting for knits and stretchy fabrics (like these Amazon Essentials t-shirts made with spandex). Even when these fabrics wrinkle, the creases will fall out when you hang them up. Woven fabrics (like linen or cotton twill) are more prone to wrinkling.
Pack the first outfit you’ll want to wear on top.
If you know you’re getting off the plane and going straight to dinner or a meeting, plan your outfit and put it into your suitcase last. That way, when you arrive, you won’t have to dig through everything else to find it (plus, it will be less likely to wrinkle). This strategy is a great excuse to think about what you’ll wear in advance so you don’t make one of the biggest packing mistakes: waiting until the last minute to pack. Have trouble making a packing list and sticking to it? Check out this useful planner from Erin Condren.
Place heavy items at the base.
Keep weightier things like shoes and books by the wheeled end of your suitcase. This placement helps your bag stay stable when upright, and stops other items from getting smushed. (GH experts like Away’s The Carry-On — it topped our Lab’s recent luggage test and has a 100-day trial period.)