Three years down the line I embarked on my first international travel (revised pandemic restrictions) that too for a wedding. Even though travel and living out of a suitcase for twenty years of my life trained me to be one of the quickest, most organised packers, this long break from travel did have its share of encumbrances.
I have learnt that the more organized you are pre travel, will definitely spare you the annoyance of unpacking, searching for stuff and most of all precious time at your destination. Step-by-Step organization is vital to keep your nerves and inner peace.
The first consideration for choosing your luggage depends a lot on whether your travel is International or Domestic, Economy Class or Business Class. The baggage allowance and weight restrictions applied are different. This directly impacts your choice of luggage and packing too.
Bring your travel luggage out of storage three days before your travel, rub it down inside out with a wet duster and leave it open to air preferably in the sun, for three to four hours, then using a hand vacuum cleaner, clean the corners and creases. Your bags are now trip ready.
Indians as a race, over pack or pack to the maximum weight allowance and often beg for a kilo or too more — gratis of course.
Let’s face it we love to look our best even on vacation and shop anywhere and everywhere. No boundaries, no limits.
When you look at your shopping list, ask yourself if you would rather carry a hard top suitcase to fit breakables cautiously or a soft suitcase mainly for clothes, shoes, bags?
Once this is established you can begin the task of organized packing using these tips.
Packing may seem simple on the surface, but it really is a science.
Step by step instructions —
- Layer the bottom of your suitcase with large pieces of clothing such as long jeans, trousers, and sweaters so you have a thick layer at the bottom to protect the contents. Remember — your bags will be thrown on and off the luggage belt.
- Next fit all shoes in the four sides of the suitcase, soles touching the suitcase fuselage (all socks can be stuffed into shoes) once the four corners are done.
- Fill in the center with hard articles like your toilet kit, hand bags (definitely stuff them to keep their shape)
- TIP — If you have glassware or gifts, the trick is to place them back-to-back so that they cannot move. This tip will save you a lot of heartache.
- Once this layer is done. Top it with layers of clothing,
- TIP— laying clothing flat will ensure equal weight distribution.
- Once all clothes are in, the top most layer should be two or three large shopping bags or a soft duffle bag that folds flat. (Just in case you have excess luggage or your suitcase gives way, your stuff will be protected to some extent.)
- After you have packed a suitcase to the brim, to distribute the weight evenly, turn the suitcase on its belly and let it lay till departure.
A disorganized suitcase can be a pain and cause for anxiety when on the go.
I always organize myself with a list, especially if it’s a wedding or a trip with multiple events to attend. There are two ways of handling packing
The above is the general way to pack or the other way is to use packing organizers.
- Here you put your entire outfit into one organiser and remove your outfit for each day wear it and put it back in the same section at the end of the day. This way you are repacking on a daily basis, so at the end of the trip ninety percent of your packing is done.
- If you do not want to invest in organisers, use pillow cases, zip lock bags.
Wrinkled clothes are tacky, the best way is to carry crushed look clothing or wrinkle free fabric clothing, (wool, cashmere, knits, jersey, lyocell, spandex, lycra) always choose an easy to wear wardrobe.
A few tips to handle wrinkles
Roll rather than fold — roll the item and pop an elastic band around it. This works best for soft clothing and not for button up or work shirts.
Steam works best to ease wrinkles, so —
Hang your clothes in the bathroom while taking a hot shower.
Carry a travel steamer and iron.
Apply wrinkle spray on your clothes once you have unpacked and hung your clothes on hangers in the closet.
I am huge on lists, I say this all the time, but there is no better way —
Write down in the order of the event, the outfit, the shoes, the bag and accessories. I go to the extent of the hair-do too.
Mix and match is definitely recommended especially trousers and jeans, get creative to save space and weight.
Hand luggage with a lot of compartments is recommended —travel documents, toiletries, phone-charger, wallet, and glasses. When in compartments, it is easy to yank out and put back in. You will save frustration searching time.
A cloth laundry bag for soiled clothes will make unpacking when you are back home a less tedious task. Don’t dump, layer.
Anything that is used and thrown away on the trip should be packed, to this I would add affordable, travel size toiletries which you can use and discard on the trip, toiletries can be heavy and bulky. Trips are usually a time to live in the moment, forget about your beauty routine, vitamin intake and soak in the wonder of travel.
Replace your suitcase if there are deep cracks, tears, the wheels are bald or the handle jammed. You do not want to end up with a backache or wrist ache.
The new spinner suitcases are a relief for travellers, no more dragging two wheelers. Choose lightweight suitcases for sure.
Streamline your suitcases and lighten your load.
