Top 5 Packing Tips
I am the ultimate “do not check a bag” girlie. I don’t like waiting in lines (ever), especially at a baggage counter or baggage claim. And if your flight itinerary changes last minute due to cancellations or delays and you have a checked bag, it’s impossible to reschedule or book a new flight. Traveling with the Away Bigger Carry-On solves all those problems. Its built-to-last hard shell keeps everything safe, you get a few extra inches of room AND it still fits perfectly in the overhead bin.
Here are 5 tips for packing in your carry-on:
1.Plan Ahead:
Select all your outfits ahead of time, including:
shoes
purses
jackets
accessories
Lay your outfits for each day/night out on the floor before you go. This will help you see what pieces can mix in and out. Can you wear the same skirt Monday night and Wednesday day with different tops? Does your jacket or sweater go with multiple outfits? Think about it like a mini-capsule wardrobe for the week. Then, once you have all your outfits, add in all the extras you’ll need: workout clothes, swimsuits/cover-ups, rain jacket, and socks/underwear/bras.
Elevated tip: Wear your tennis shoes and heaviest jacket on the plane. Those items take up precious real estate!
2. Toiletries:
Keep a travel bag of toiletries together that stays packed all the time. Most items come in travel size or you can purchase travel containers and pour your liquids in so you can have all the brands you love anywhere you go.
What’s in my travel bag:
3. Rolling technique:
When I have all the pieces laid out and selected and I’m ready to put them into my suitcase, I use the rolling technique. Fold the item in half and ROLL AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN! Away’s compression system is designed to help you fit more for each trip and trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
I like to have all the bottoms at the bottom of the case, and all the tops across the top to help me stay organized throughout the trip, especially if I’m moving every 2-3 days and not fully unpacking each time.
To finish, layer on top of the rolled clothes all jackets, any nicer dresses (if you’re going to a wedding), swimsuits and pajamas.
4. Divide your suitcase:
I can’t live without the Away Bigger Carry-On, partly because of the mesh dividers and zipper pockets that keep everything in place! Here’s what it looks like:
One half: rolled clothes
Middle divider pocket: socks, bras, underwear
Other half: shoes, purses, toiletries, jewelry, hair tools, belts, etc.
Sometimes this takes a little Tetris to find the right organization, but, trust me, there’s more space than you think.
5. Overflow:
Somehow, I always seem to have items that won’t fit into my suitcase. An extra pair of sandals, my makeup bag, an extra purse, whatever it is. Plan to have your “personal item” be a bag that’s large enough for your laptop, headphones, your empty water bottle (see how to Elevate Your Airport Experience), your wallet and passport, and any items that didn’t fit, even with all the above techniques. This can be a weekender, a small duffel bag, or a backpack. We love the:
Elevated tip: If you’re flying overnight, make sure your personal item has a zip closure for added security and include an eye mask, extra socks, ibuprofen, earplugs, and a toothbrush so you have easy access to those items and catch some zzz’s.
Keep calm and CARRY ON, literally. Happy travels!
