You’ve booked the trip, bought the bikini, and announced your vacay on Facebook. Now all that’s left to do is decide what to take and get it in the case. Sound easy? A little stressful perhaps? Fill you with dread???
Packing anxiety is a common pre-holiday condition that can cause stress and discomfort. Shortness of breath, irrational thoughts, and sleep deprivation are all common symptoms. But all of the above are easily avoidable.
We’ve put together a simple guide to help you pack like a pro. Read on for our top tips…
1. Choose the correct case
Before you pull together the contents of your case, it’s important to choose the most suitable luggage for your trip. Where you’re travelling to, for how long, and what you’ll be doing are just some of the factors to consider. Long weekend city break? A carry on should do. Interrailing Europe? A backpack is best. Two glamourous weeks in Dubai? Pull out the big case!
2. Create a capsule wardrobe
When deciding what outfits to take, have a think about the itinerary you’re packing for. If you’re sightseeing in Paris for example, are 4-inch heels realistic? Probably not. Once you’ve set the tone for your trip, it’s time to pick a colour palette. Then pull together mix and match items that work across different outfits. You can see it working, can’t you? Let’s keep going…
3. Opt for functional fabrics
Your wardrobe needs to be functional as well as fashionable. Factors to consider are quality, thickness, weight and tendency to wrinkle. A great example is merino wool: super lightweight, keeps you warm in the cold, cool in the warm, and stays fresh wear after wear = wardrobe winner.
4. Follow the 1 - 6 Rule
If the 1-6 Rule gives you heart palpitations, feel free to ease yourself in slowly. It’s a formula to aim for…
For a week-long trip, pack:
1 hat
2 pairs of shoes
3 pairs of trousers or skirts
4 tops
5 pairs of socks
6 sets of underwear
5. Roll it, don’t fold it
Rolling your clothes saves precious luggage space and reduces the risk of the unintentional crinkle look. A great tip. Rolling your outfits however is a complete gamechanger. Not only does it force you to pre-plan your exact wardrobe prior to travel, but helps you to cull those extra ‘just in case’ garments that may creep into your case.
6. Go digital
In this digital era, there’s no longer a need to lug around books, maps and travel documents. It not only takes up space in your case, but eats into your precious weight allowance. Just be sure to read up on data usage costs before you travel.
So there you have it. 6 simple steps to stress-free packing. Follow our handy guide and you’ll have your case together ready for touring one of our world-famous cities before you know it.
Happy packing!
