What is the 1234 packing rule?

Pack less clothing than you think you'll need. For shorter trips, we're big fans of the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule for packing: 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 pairs of pants or skirts, 4 shirts, 5 pairs of socks and 6 sets of underwear. It works for long trips, too, as long as you can do laundry once a week.



People Also Ask

Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

MORE DETAILS

WHAT YOU SHOULD PACK ON YOUR 5-DAY TRIP. You must bring 1 suitcase + 1 optional carry-on item such as a backpack/purse. Keep in mind that the airlines charge a fee for a checked bag, each direction.

MORE DETAILS

Place larger items in your bag first “You'll want to pack the larger items first, such as jackets, trousers, dresses and shirts,” says Boyd. “Instead of folding them, it really helps to place them around the sides of the bottom of the case with any excess fabric draping outside.”

MORE DETAILS

The 1-through-6 rule If you're packing for a trip that will last a week, use numbers 1 through 6 to pack certain items as follows: one hat, two pairs of shoes, three pairs of pants/skirts, four shirts, five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear.

MORE DETAILS

If you have unlimited suitcase space and don't want to do any laundry, a two-week trip means packing 14/2 = 7 bras and at least 14 pairs of underwear. That consumes a lot of valuable suitcase space! To reduce the number of pieces that need to be packed, simply commit to doing laundry on the road.

MORE DETAILS

While not always necessary if you're traveling to a particularly hot destination, it wouldn't be a list of essentials without including a pair of tried-and-true denim, like these straight-leg jeans from Madewell and classic Levi's. These pairs can be worn and washed again and again—they only get better with age.

MORE DETAILS

The rolling method is exactly what it sounds like. Tightly roll each clothing item into a log-shape and place it in your suitcase. Everything stays secure by placing each piece right up against the other.

MORE DETAILS

Whether you have kids that have a bad habit of packing five extra shirts and no socks, or you're a professional that constantly finds yourself digging through mounds of jackets to find a single pair of shoes, packing cubes really save space by creating small pockets within your luggage to keep everything organised.

MORE DETAILS

Not only do packing cubes streamline the packing process, but they also contribute to an overall smoother travel experience. With everything neatly organised and easily accessible, travellers can eliminate the hassle of rummaging through a suitcase if they need to access items within their bag during their travel.

MORE DETAILS