Remember the scenes from movies set in the early 1900’s, where the leading lady pages a porter to place her luggage aboard the train or ship? The porter lugs trunk after trunk onto the train for the lady, and we’re left wondering – what in the world is she taking?
Today we need to be quite a bit more practical when packing for airline travel. What we’d LIKE to bring and what can FIT into our limited luggage are most often two opposing ideals. Nowadays there are strict requirements for carry-ons and we’re most often being charged for check-in baggage, so it’s wise to pare down to the essentials. Here are some solid tips to help solve the conundrum.
Look it Up
While booking your flight, make sure you read all the requirements for check-in and carry on luggage. I’ve seen people being turned away at the gate because they thought they could stroll on to the aircraft with “carry-on” big enough to stuff a fridge.
Don’t assume all airlines are alike – the fees and sizes do vary, so it pays to read the fine print and save some penalty charges.
Pack and Use travel-sized bottles
List it Out
Take the time to analyze how many days you’ll be away, what kinds of activities you’ll be enjoying, and what the weather will be like (even in multiple stops). Perhaps you’ll have the ability to do a little light laundry during a long trip and won’t need to take so many items.
Now create a list of exactly what items make sense. As you put the items in your suitcase, cross them off your list. And don’t sneak extra items in just because there’s a little extra room! In fact, you’ll want to retain extra space to bring home your souvenirs and special shopping finds.
Neutralize and Layer
Neutralize and layer for easier mix and match
It’s much easier to pack and select items to wear if they are mostly “mix and match”. This works well when you stick to neutral colors, or 2 or 3 basic colors or palettes that you can work around a whole wardrobe.
For a cold weather trip, use layers of thermal clothing and sweaters. If you must bring a bulky jacket, wear it at the airport and store it in the overhead compartment.
Pare Down the Pairs
Regardless of how many designer shoes you own, you really need only 2 or 3 pairs for your trip. Consider your agenda – usually 1 pair of dressy shoes, and 1 pair of casual shoes will do the trick.
Sneakers are useful for walking trips or working out, so those should be worn at the airport. It definitely helps when you find yourself having to hike from one terminal to the other, or running for your connecting flight. The newer sneaker style shoes with no ties are great for slipping off at the security gate.
Roll Them Up
Rolling to Pack
Rolling your clothes will save you plenty of room. Pack from the outside edges of your suitcase. Fill the corners with heavier items like pants nad sweaters and work your way to the middle with lighter clothing.
If you’re bringing dressy clothes, those should be folded at the top of your luggage. Use a tip from the department stores and fold in tissue paper to prevent wrinkles.
