With the worst of the pandemic behind us, many of us are itching to get out there and explore the world again.

Choosing where to go is part of the fun and will depend upon what sort of trip you want to take.

Fancy a beach holiday?  Try Fiji or Vanuatu. 

Want to deep dive into culture?  India, Thailand, or China may beckon.

Seeking an adrenaline-packed adventure?  Queenstown in New Zealand may be right up your alley.

Once you’ve locked in a destination, it’s time to start thinking about what clothes to pack. If you’re anything like me, you will want to pack too much. The bigger the suitcase, the more I’ll try to cram in it, until the zips threaten to burst under the strain.

Of course, it’s only when I arrive back home, I realise I’ve only worn half of the clothes in the bag anyway. D’oh! 

So, I’ve done some research to make packing for my next trip a little easier. Hopefully, it will help you too.

7 Packing Hacks

  1. Start planning what clothes you want to pack a few weeks before your trip. If you have time, put together a capsule wardrobe – where all clothes mix and match.  Then pack your suitcase the day before your departure date.  Whatever you do, don’t leave it until the last minute!
  2. Put shoes and heavy items like books at the bottom of your bag.  Place socks inside your shoes and roll up your clothes rather than folding them to save space and avoid wrinkles.  The last item to put in your suitcase is the outfit you want to wear on the first day of your holiday.
  3. Segment your luggage by packing items in groups in smaller bags.  For example, you could put all your underwear together in a mini bag, and you could put each day’s clothing in a separate bag.  It’s much easier to find things and if you do have to open your suitcase in Customs, it won’t be so embarrassing!
  4. Decant toiletries into small plastic bottles, then put them inside two clear Ziplock bags to reduce the risk of messy spills.
  5. Use your handbag and carry-on luggage for anything you can’t afford to lose such as your passport, jewellery, credit card, phone, or medications to name a few.  Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on luggage just in case your suitcase goes missing in transit.
  6. Weigh your bags at home to make sure they meet airline weight specifications. Only take bags that are strong enough to withstand rough treatment by airline baggage handlers
  7. .Make sure you can manage your bags by yourself at the airport.  A smaller carry-on bag can sit on top of a large suitcase with wheels, and your handbag can go over your shoulder.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport on that day of your departure, then relax and enjoy the trip, in true chic style. Bon voyage!