What is the smartest way to pack?

Roll and Fold Items Using a bit of each packing technique is the most efficient way to get things into your suitcase. Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, T-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won't wrinkle when rolled tightly, says Judy Gilford, author of The Packing Book ($10, amazon.com).



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Keep reading to learn how to pack faster and smarter — without the stress.
  1. Roll clothes and pack them first. ...
  2. Choose travel-friendly fabrics. ...
  3. Pack the first outfit you'll want to wear on top. ...
  4. Place heavy items at the base. ...
  5. Layer plastic dry cleaning bags between clothes. ...
  6. Use packing cubes. ...
  7. Avoid over- or under-packing.


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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.

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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.

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Bring just three or four bottoms, including a mix of jeans or shorts and a pair of dressy pants or a skirt. Pack four or five tops of varying dressiness, plus one or two warm top pieces like sweaters. Of course, your destination will affect the weight of the pieces you pack and, thus, the amount of space they take.

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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.

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T-shirts, tank tops and camisoles should be washed after each wearing. Outer clothes like dress shirts and khakis can be worn a few times before washing unless it is hot out and you are sweating or they are visibly dirty or stained. Jeans can typically be worn 3 times before washing.

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5. Keep liquids in easy reach: “Toiletries should always be placed on top of your suitcase in a clear bag since you never know when T.S.A. might be interested in looking,” said Matthew Klint, a frequent flier and the award expert at Live and Let's Fly .

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Layer Your Luggage Start by placing heavy and bulky items at the bottom of your suitcase, followed by lighter items and fragile belongings on top. This arrangement will help to distribute weight evenly, ensuring that you can fit more into your 23kg luggage without exceeding the limit.

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Method #2 Packing Cubes
They can easily be used to separate shoes from clean clothing items. Certain packing cubes are even made from antimicrobial materials, helping to keep germs at bay. Carl Friedrik offers a set of four packing cubes that come in multiple sizes — with the large cube ideal for a pair of shoes.

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