Packing light comes easier for some people than for others. Yet, there are ways to travel light for your trip(s) this winter, and maybe avoid those checked bag fees if you’re flying. Unless a trip is more than a week, you only need to pack a small assortment of items to mix and match for new outfits; however, if you need to have a plethora of options, we have tips for you as well.
Use the right bag
The type of luggage you use on your trip(s) can help or hurt your packing efforts. Some bags seem like a good idea but hold way too little, while others are so big that you feel compelled to pack more than you need to because the space is available.
Visualize your outfits for each day.
Another method to avoid overpacking is imagining each outfit/item that’ll be worn each day. If you imagine what you will wear each day, you’ll have a more “tangible” concept of what to pack instead of grabbing items spontaneously. Your mind will help you figure out what you want to wear and then you know precisely what to put in your suitcase.
Only pack things you’ll likely wear more than once.
A rookie travel mistake is packing items you end up not wearing; now, sometimes, you have good intentions that you’ll wear a thing, and then, for whatever reason, it gets passed up. Of course, there are other times when you pack something, knowing it rarely makes it into your usual rotation, but it’s more of a “just in case.” Think of items you can wear without getting dirty, such as cardigans, sweatshirts, etc., that you will likely have a t-shirt under and are socially acceptable to wear multiple times between washes. Or, you can wear pants numerous times, such as jeans, shorts, and even leggings (assuming they’re black or another dark color).
Bring multiples of light clothing.
Light clothing, such as t-shirts, leggings/yoga pants, shorts, or other thin materials, enables you to pack multiples of them without taking up too much space.
Are you down for down jackets?
Down jackets are lovely for a few reasons:
- Warmth
- Easily compressed
- Lightweight
Wool jackets are warm and fashionable, but they take up a lot of real estate and do not compress easily.
Make your clothing like bread dough and roll it.
It may not seem logical, but rolling clothes is one of the best ways to pack clothes and save space, if not being the best method. “How does it save space? The same amount of shirt is still in the suitcase?” Try it for yourself; you’ll see how great this technique truly is.
Compress Your Clothes and Use Space-Saving Bags
Using space-saving bags is a lifesaver. You put all your clothes into the bag, then use a vacuum to suck out the air and compress your clothes into a fraction of the space. The only downside is the clothes will likely be wrinkled by the bags, so bring some wrinkle-releasing spray or use the iron at your Airbnb or hotel.
Forget the bulky and heavy toiletries.
Leave the big, bulky shampoos, body washes, conditioners, and whatever else at home. Your Airbnb or hotel will likely have these ready for you, or you can stop by a store to pick some up and avoid having TSA limit you on them.
Bring or wear the bulky things on the plane.
If you’re bringing your snow boots on your trip, then wear those on the plane. Sure, they’re not always super fashionable, but they do take up lots of space in your suitcase. Ergo, do yourself a favor, wear the big/bulky stuff on the plane, and reserve the bag for your smaller, lighter items.
So while you may have thought it was impossible to pack light, you now have nine tips on how to do so successfully. When you travel light, you have less to worry about at TSA or forgetting on your trip. And that freed-up memory helps you remember to book your shuttle service with C&L Air Limo! We have been in the industry for over 30 years! So reserve your spot with us for your next trip. Give us a call today or book your reservation online!