You’ve probably heard the old adage a million times by now: pack light for the trip and you’ll be cutting the airport baggage fees and making the load easier for yourself all at one go. But how on Earth do you actually pack light, and is it just a phrase magazines throw around to taunt avid travelers who have a hoarder’s love for their trip gear? Travelling light is not just a concept out of urban legends: it’s extremely feasible for as long as you know how to trim your baggage into a single suitcase. Take a quick look at the following tips and set your travel sprees on a light and breezy foot.
Pack Well Ahead of the Trip
Last-minute packing is probably the worst idea you’ve had this month, and it will only cause you tons of stress. Everything you really need for the holiday can fit into a single suitcase, so don’t go multi-baggage over utter packing panic. Allow yourself at least two days to go over the clothes you’ll wear on the go, and start packing well ahead of the departure day. That way, you’ll have enough time to trim down your travel load without risking to leave behind a piece of gear you can’t do without. Your trip getup should be color-coordinated: pairing up getup combos will be much easier and you’ll never have to wear the same outfit twice.
To Pack or Not, the Vital Dilemma
The biggest problem most travelers face when packing is the sheer quantity of clothing they’d like to bring on for the adventure. Before you start dumping silk blouses and cashmere cardigans into the bag, pause for a second to reflect on your realistic vacation dressing needs. Any clothing item that’s too sensitive or can’t stand hand-washing has no place in your suitcase – and no, you won’t miss it on the go either. Instead of packing that crumple-happy blouse with a deep V-neck you’d wear only once, go with casual clothing pieces that can be worn every day to an equally flattering effect.
Go Minimalist with Toiletries To-Go
Of course you’ll need the shampoo, soap, night creams, and body lotions – but it doesn’t mean toiletries should take up a half of your suitcase. Instead of packing standard-size personal care items, pick their travel-size counterparts and reduce both the pre-trip load and baggage space which will come in handy when returning home with a bunch of souvenirs. Also, don’t just dump the toiletries to the side of the bag: distribute them strategically across the suitcase and wrap them in undergarments to keep luggage space in check and prevent accidental spills en route.
If it’s Heavy, Wear It on Your Person
Traveling light is easier during summer months than in the dead of the winter, but you can trick whimsical elements by packing lighter clothing in the suitcase and wearing bulky items such as jackets and thick jumpers in transit. Admittedly, this isn’t exactly the comfiest way to travel, but you’ll get to remove a few top layers of the heavy getup once you board the plane and snuggle up in your seat.
Go like A Travel Pro: Fold, Don’t Roll
The ‘roll, don’t fold’ rule is cool in theory – but in real life, it will only add weight to your luggage as you’ll be able to cram more gear in your backpack than you actually need for the trip. Instead of rolling your clothes, fold them: it will save your getup from crumpling, plus it will prevent you from stacking your suitcase with extra pairs of pants and shirts you won’t get to wear anyway.
Other ways to put the travel gear on a diet is to pick right-size luggage, and go with wheel-less suitcases to trim down the load even further. No matter how long the trip may be, pack for a single week: after all, most hotels and hostels have a laundry service, and you’ll also be able to wash a piece of clothing or two by hand should the need for it arise. So, do you really need two suitcases for your holiday? Absolutely not: one carefully packed bag will do just fine, so rather than investing in a king-size luggage unit, invest extra consideration in travel gear selection and save yourself both cash and hassle on the fly. Bon voyage!
