Here’s The Secret Sauce of How To Pack Your Suitcase

Travel

Jun 4

Written By Andrea | Good Midlife Travels

how to pack your suitcase, carryon packing

The secret sauce of how to pack your suitcase is simple…

First

Check the weather at your destination.

True, that seems to be a guess for them sometimes too, but it’s better than having the friend you’re visiting stick her head out the window to check current temperature, wind speed and cumulus cloud formations. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Second

What kind of excursions are you doing on your trip?

And then count down with me…

5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

{This countdown also works when the passenger behind you keeps slamming their tray table up-n-down like they’re Serena Williams playing at Wimbledon 🤦🏽‍♀️

5-4-3-2-1 breatheeee, before you turn and remind them that it’s your seat they’re slamming and not a tennis ball}.

The whole of my existence is packing easier and lighter, but still getting everything in my carry-on suitcase for my trips!

How do you accomplish that packing miracle?

5 - Tops

4 - Bottoms

3 - Accessories

2 - Shoes {one practical / one dressy}

1 - Swimsuit / Hat

The secret sauce is using this method as a framework to pack your suitcase.

With this packing system, you can pack for any length of trip and it’s adaptable::

5 - Sets of socks + underwear

4 - Tops

3 - Bottoms

2 - Shoes

1 - Hat / Scarf / Swimsuit

Just Remember:: More tops, than bottoms

The summer trips, I have extra space to pack a colorful/patterned outfit with this method too if we’re attending a wedding or have a special event planned.

Ultra EASY, is packing your 3 or 4 bottoms in solid colors so you can mix-n-match your 5 tops without thinking about it.

If You’re Visual Person…

You can find 402 Tik-Tok jokes on laying your outfits out on the bed before you pack. But when you’re a visual person {raising my hand} it speeds up the packing process to pair pieces up before they go in the bag.

Now you know how you’re going to pack your suitcase, all that’s left is putting them into your 20-22” carry-on suitcase.

What about the debate of rolling vs folding when packing your suitcase?

You can Google THIS DEBATE too and get 4,003 results for both sides.

I’ve tested both and after 3,004 suitcases packed, I can, 1000%, say it’s both. I’m a roller and a folder {a mover and a shaker}. 💃🏼

Roll my delicate clothes {tank tops, shirts, linens…} and fold the bulky-esque pieces {jeans, jacket, sweaters…}.

2 Options::

Lay the folded on the bottom of the suitcase and put packing cubes on top, with rolled wears
Rolled clothes {or the packing cubes} on bottom and lay the folded silk top, blazer, or sundress on top of everything

Summer {warm weather} packing is easier and most times it’s all rolled up into the packing cubes. {You can see it in action on the YouTube video linked below.}

Use packing cubes. ☜ In that post I share my favorite + the other secret sauces to packing your suitcase HOME 🤗

Click the image to see this YouTube Short

Packing cube sets also come in handy when they include a laundry bag. But if you’re not on-board with the cubes, try THIS METHOD without the packing cubes.

Just a thought though…Some packing cube sets also come with laundry bags {just throwing it out there because…Less laundry after vacation is always a win! 👏🏼}