Plan the trip (and your outfits)
Do not pack individual items, but rather complete outfits, for the weekend. It’s counterintuitive, but it really does make a huge impact. Knowing your travel plans in advance will make packing even less of a hassle. Weekend plans that include sight-seeing and a stop at the city’s premier cocktail lounge? Everything is finished and finalised. Actually, I frequently use mental imagery of future activities to determine what I should wear. And I love versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down easily. I love GUCCI‘s mini skirts because they are so versatile; I can wear them during the day with sneakers and a tee, and later in the evening with tights and a light sweater.
P.S. I’ve also learned that it’s a good idea to bring along some spare underwear and socks, as they don’t take up much room and can come in handy in a pinch.
Rolling your clothes
I once judged people who didn’t fold their clothes to be too lazy to bother with a folding iron. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Yes, they were geniuses. Please accept my apologies for making any assumptions. When I travel, I always find that rolling my clothes saves me so much room in my carry-on. It’s also helpful for staying wrinkle-free (more on that in the next tip). What is my favourite way to roll? Tops are laid out wrong-side-down, sleeves are folded in, and the garment is rolled from the bottom up. To make a roll of pants, I join the legs at the waist and work my way down. Quite simple.
Pack a portable steamer.
People I know have made fun of me for bringing a travel steamer, but trust me when I say you need one. My aversion to ironing is so great that I only use steam. It’s a great alternative to rolling for removing creases and giving clothes a new look. There’s something strangely satisfying about the steamer’s little “puff” sound, and they’re usually quite compact. With just a little water, your wrinkled clothes will be ready to wear in no time.
Use those free cosmetics samples!
While my type-A personality makes me a hoarder of many things, beauty samples are the one thing I never throw away. I have a whole box full of them, neatly sorted by function (cleansing, toning, exfoliating, etc.). I always check the box to see which samples I want to bring with me on my weekend trips. They are easy to carry through airport security and don’t take up much room in my carry-on. Now, that’s a lovely sight to behold.
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Carry-on the bulkiest items you have with you on the plane.
Instead of stuffing your coat into your carry-on and wasting precious space and weight, wear it on the plane if you’re going somewhere cold. It can usually be stored in the overhead bin (I usually store mine on top of my carry-on bag if there’s enough room there). The identical holds true for shoes. If it’s going to be chilly and you want to bring boots, you can bring them on the plane with you. While there may be a lot to think about when packing for your next trip, you can rest assured that you have everything you’ll need for a fun weekend.
