This weekend my husband, Tiny Dancer, and Sophie are all road tripping down to Southern California to visit his family and to see Tiny D's godparents and my dear friends. Monday, we're going to Disneyland while my MIL babysits- she's elated and I'll get to ride all the rides, as last time we went when I was 6 months pregnant and my feet were swollen to twice their size by 2 p.m. I've spent the past day or two trying to figure out what to pack for 2 adults, an infant, and a dog who thinks she's a princess. I will definitely post photos when we get back next week.
For this trip, I am using Real Simple's guide to "The Best Way to Pack a Suitcase" (find it here) combined with hints I have found that have worked for me over the years.
RS: Step 1- Gather all the garments you anticipate needing, then put half of them back. Select clothes in the same color family, packing more tops than bottoms. For a five-day trip, you'll likely need five shirts, two pairs of slacks or jeans, and one skirt.
- I agree with putting half back. I ALWAYS overpack. I do, however, think an extra shirt is a good idea- especially if you are not staying somewhere you will have access to laundry services. I also don't think that a skirt is always necessary, depending upon the purpose of the trip. I am planning on bringing two pair of jeans (mine always seem to stretch out after a wear or two) and one pair of skinny black pants.
RS: Step 2- Choose knits, wools, and cottons. These fabrics tend to resist wrinkles and are versatile. Some garments can do double duty, like yoga pants that moonlight as pajamas.
- YES, YES, YES! I always pack just one pair of yoga pants that are what I lounge in and sleep in. I try as much as possible to pack things that are wrinkle resistant. If I pack a dress shirt, I ALWAYS bring a cardigan or pullover so if the shirt wrinkles a bit, no one will ever know.
RS: Step 3- Roll softer garments and fold stiffer ones. Underwear, t-shirts, jeans, cotton pants, and knitwear won't wrinkle when rolled tightly. Stiffer fabrics, such as starched cotton shirts, blazers, dressy pants, and skirts should be carefully folded.
- I have three dress shirts in the cue for this trip, and I spent about 15 minutes carefully folding them so they don't wrinkle during the seven hour car ride. I roll everything else so that I can fit everything neatly in my suitcase. I want to make sure I have room for my Disneyland souvenirs!
RS: Step 4- Arrange rolled items in the bottom of the bag. Think of your suitcase as a three-layer cake. The suitcase is the icing; the rolled items make up the first layer.
- I actually like to put my shoes on the bottom of the suitcase with the soles to the bottom. This way they don't get my clothes dirty with shoe gunk and they can all lay nicely next to their shoe friends. Then I stack my clothes on top of them and top it off with my makeup and toiletry bags, hairbrush, flat/curling irons, and any other incidentals that need to come on the trip.
RS: Step 5- Place folded garments next. For your (cream filling) middle later, start with the longest items, like skirts and slacks. Stack the garments on top of each other, alternating waists with hems. Position the pile flush with the suitcase, draping leftover fabric over the opposite end. (This conserves space since thick waistbands won’t be piled on top of one another.) Wrap the draping ends of the pile into the center. Next, lay collars of shorter items, like shirts, at the hinge with the ends over the handles.
Fold the collars and ends over once and fold the arms in.
- I had never thought about doing this before I read this article. Tomorrow when I load everything into my suitcase I'm going to try this. Seems like it makes total sense.
RS: Step 6- Cover the pile with a dry-cleaning bag. It’s like Botox for your clothes. Because of the bag’s slippery surface, folded clothes don’t stay in one place long enough for creases to set. Easy upgrade: Place a bag between each layer of clothing. To get to a certain layer easily, simply pull the ends of the bag up on either side.
- Another one I hadn't heard of before now. I like it though. If I can dig up a dry-cleaning bag I will definitely try this and let you know how it works out.
RS: Step 7- Top the pile with the clothes you’ll need first. Anything goes with your top layer―a bathing suit or pajamas.
- I agree with this, in theory. If you know what you'll be wearing first, you're about three steps ahead of me. I bring a bunch of outfits I think are appropriate and pretty much decide what to wear each day based on my mood and the weather. I try to hang my clothes as soon as I get to my hotel/host's home to prevent wrinkling and so that I can see all my options each morning. If you have the foresight to do this I'm all for it- I just can't commit to an outfit that far in advance.
RS: Step 8- Snake belts around the perimeter of the bag. This cradles your three layers.
- This too was new to me, but it seems like it will work out well. This way in addition to "cradling" the layers, it helps your belts stay crease-free and not get all awkward and coily.
How do you pack for trips? What tips can you share to make packing easier?
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