We have all come home and jumped right into packing; scrambling through drawers, the closet, and around the house searching for your nice clothes to bring on your trip. Procrastination can be dangerous when you have a ride waiting for you, or a flight you need to catch. In this guide, we will go over some simple methods to making efficient preparation possible.
Packing Shoes
We’ve all packed for the “what ifs”, but a lot of times we spend time packing things that probably won’t even leave our suitcase. As hard as it is, try to only pack one pair of nice shoes, even though it might be tempting to bring more. Shoes are irregularly shaped and will consume a lot of precious space. Place each shoe heel to toe for maximum conservation, stuff them with rolled up socks. Don’t forget to wrap your shoes in a plastic bag to protect surrounding clothes from dirt or unwanted smells.
Packing the Suit
Your suit is the keystone of your appearance, and nobody wants to show up with unnecessary wrinkles and creases. A lot of times you have the luxury of bringing a hanging garment bag with you. Here, we have the best method for fitting that clunky garment just about anywhere. Note: before you begin using this method on your suit, make sure it is face-down and resting evenly.
- Fold the left shoulder to the back and turn the right side inside-out towards the back.
- Insert left shoulder into the newly made pocket and insert the left arm into the right arm hole.
- Fold, roll, or bundle to fit your suitcase, and gawk at your clothing origami skills.
- Don’t forget to dry-clean your suit and have it looking fresh.
Confused at the instructions? Check out this awesome video:
A Garment Bag May Be An Option (If Folding Isn’t)
Garment bags are an easy solution to traveling with formal wear. A bag can be a real life saver since they count as a carry-on. Of course this only works well if you’re not already carrying on luggage. A lot of airplanes have a closet in them for items of this sort, and you can save yourself from elbowing out passengers for the overhead bin space. Some bags even come with space to store clothes, eliminating the need for a separate bag. Best of all, garment bags prevent wrinkles and keep all of your hanging clothes in one place. Make sure to consult your airline before bringing a garment bag just to make sure that there is an ability to actually hang your clothes.
Picking the Right Clothes to Bring
The time has come, you must decide which 3-5 outfits you can stuff into that suitcase or backpack. If you don’t want to hassle with checking a bag, you’re going to need to get really creative with your packing arrangement. Remember to bring more tops than bottoms; pants or jeans worn twice will go unnoticed with a new shirt or blouse, and with the extra space, you might get another night’s outfit. Dark colors are good for blending, and they generally have more mercy with marks or stains. Make your outfits interchangeable, if something happens and you somehow lose part of an outfit, you want to have backup clothes that can fill in without looking awkward. The amount of clothing that you bring will depend on the length or your trip and the different amount of activities that you’ll be participating in while at your destination.
Things to Remember While You Pack
There are a lot of steps you can take to make the best use of your suitcase or bag. To start off, put the heaviest items on the bottom, and that means the bottom of however you choose to carry it. Hardcase luggage is best for preventing wrinkles, and packing tightly, and rolling rather than folding your clothes always helps too. Getting toothpaste, deodorant, or really anything on your clothes could ruin your stay, so be sure to double bag all toiletries. Many electronics can be left behind. A computer, phone, and maybe an e-reader should be all you need. Just remember that packing “just in case” items will just waste space and typically go unused. If you plan ahead and pack smart, you’ll have a way more enjoyable trip with less unnecessary items.
Cleaning Your Clothes After a Trip
If you’ve spent time traveling, you’re probably coming back with a suitcase full of wadded up, dirty clothes. Laundry and chores are probably the last things you want to think about as well. Let Press handle your dry cleaning and laundry while you relax and unwind after your trip.
