Packing a suitcase is like a jigsaw puzzle. There are dozens of videos on packing suitcases. There are those who claim that rolling everything is best and others say to fold. I’m in the middle. I like to roll some things and fold others.
The magic of packing a suitcase is to make certain just about everything is mix and match. On this trip upcoming trip to Texas, I don’t need to worry about dressing up so my wardrobe will strictly be slacks. Also since it’s early spring in Texas, the weather shouldn’t be too cold or too warm. I’ll wear my lightweight wool coat and that will save me from packing it. I’ll also bring my down vest that folds into its pocket and barely takes any space and is…um…light as a feather. I can wear the vest under the jacket if we really do get cold one night. A couple pairs of jeans and some comfortable tops, one top is warm and fuzzy and the others are mostly three-quart sleeves. They seem to be the perfect weight when inside in air conditioning and not too hot if it’s warm out. Fortunately, my better blouses stay almost wrinkle free. If they do wrinkle, an hour or two on a hanger and the wrinkles will fall out. I hate wrinkles and wrinkled clothing, so learning to fold clothes to prevent wrinkles is important.
Cotton tee shirts to me are the worst. They will wrinkle if you look at them crooked! So the trick there is to lay them flat, front side down, and fold the arms to the back of the shirt. Then start at the bottom of the shirt and roll the shirt to the neck and keep smoothing as you go. Slacks and jeans get rolled, too. I fold them so the back left leg is against the back right leg. Again. smooth them out and this time start at the bottom and roll to the waist. If you pack something that does wrinkle, a dress, or a suit jacket, etc. put them into a dry cleaning bag and then roll or fold. If you don’t have a dry cleaning bag, use tissue paper. I prefer to fold dresses, and jackets. I lay them so that there are the fewest folds. And I put them on the top of everything else with the neck of the item at the very top when the bag is upright. Drop undies and bras into Ziploc bags. I prefer to just fold undies. I save things like PJ’s and I stuff them into corners and places where I have a little room to fill. Who cares if they wrinkle? Remember most wrinkles in our casual clothes will come out if the clothes are slightly dampened. Wet your hands and slap the wrinkles. Then allow the shirt to hang until dry.
The other thing is to put shoes into plastic bags so you don’t put your shoes against your clothes. Then put your heaviest things to the bottom of your bag. If your bag is on rollers that means the edge of your bag with wheels is where your heaviest things go. That’s usually your jeans. And put the items that are most apt to wrinkle at the very top so nothing is lying on them.
I try to pack my toiletries so that they are padded by clothing on all sides. I also try to keep my makeup to a minimum and put it into a Ziploc. There’s nothing worse than discovering that your favorite cake of eye shadow has broken. By padding with between clothes it’s less apt to suffer jolts that might break it.
I put shampoo and conditioner into smaller containers and put them into Ziploc bags. Things like nail clippers, tweezers, etc usually do better in a heaver bag. Consider using a child’s pencil bag. It’s usually sturdy enough to keep everything contained so that nothing pokes through the vinyl. Bring a pillowcase or at least an extra bag to hold your dirty laundry.
Don’t take anything you don’t need. And always keep it simple including your jewelry. A pair of black slacks and a nice blouse will usually tide most women through those unexpected times when they need to dress for dinner or something. Add a pair of black onyx earrings with rhinestones, and my plain outfit looks dressy.
Use the tie downs that come in most suitcases as it keeps things from shifting. Keep your carry-on to a minimum. Only stuff what you really need in there. Just think of it as an overgrown purse. Laptop, Kindle, phone, phone charger, USB cord, important documents, medications – the stuff that would be a real problem if you don’t have them, and carry anything that you might need to keep from going stir crazy during a flight. Apparently what you can carry on has been subject to change so check with TSA before you pack.
The dollar store is your friend. It has small travel-size bottles that you can fill with your favorite shampoo. A little tube of toothpaste is perfect for traveling and even toothbrush covers can be found at the dollar store. Don’t pack your fancy electric toothbrush. Take a mini travel-size deodorant stick. Use sample sized containers of moisturizers, and hand creams, and whatever other small thing you might need. Pack it! Don’t take it in your carry-on. Remember small for carry-on! Keep it lightweight.
Every piece of luggage needs to be identified with a nametag. Your name doesn’t have to boldly show but every piece of luggage should have your name on it. Magic Markers are our friends. As a child I carried a suitcase that was very red and made of heavy-duty plastic with metal trim. The Christmas I got it my mom suggested that I draw on it to make it mine. Two weeks later and I still hadn’t decided on what to draw. Mom suggested a favorite cartoon. I picked Snoopy and his doghouse. In one corner, he was doing the happy dance, and in the other, he was on top of the doghouse. Even in the 1960’s, it was internationally recognized. Everyone loved Snoopy. Everyone loved my bag. Someplace underneath and on the inside my suitcase also contained my name and address. The same still holds true. Identify! Make sure your suitcase is identified including your carry-on luggage.
A Nomad's Journey 