How to Pack Like You Mean It

I admit it, I’m kind of a priss when it comes to packing. I hate to pack but even worse, I hate to unpack when I arrive at my destination. I just can’t be bothered with wrinkled clothes and sorting all the stuff. I mean, has hanging your clothes in a hot, steamy bathroom ever really made your clothes smooth? And for Pete’s sake, who wants to iron in Tahiti?

If you think this is another tutorial on packing light, you’re talking to the wrong person. I don’t care where I’m going or how long I’m there, I need options and I bet you do, too. There’s no shame in over packing. So you can relax.

What I do advocate, though, is neat, tidy, efficient and wrinkle-free packing. And I’ve learned a few tricks to make it easier. There’s nothing worse than opening your suitcase to see a pile of messy, wrinkled clothes. The kind of pile that looks like you just threw your crap in the case right before the cops come to raid the hotel room where you’ve been loudly partying all night with Slash or Bret Michaels and the whole dang entourage. Yeah, you know what I mean. We’ve all done it at least once, especially if it’s a last-minute getaway.

These tips have worked for me for ages. Remember, the trick is to arrive with your clothes as wrinkle-free as possible. If you like to “hang” your clothes on the little hook in the case, try this first: Lay the shirts/jackets/dresses down flat with the hangers in the clothes. Line up the long sleeves on top of each other then fold them over the front, like they’re “hugging”. Slip a double layer of plastic dry-cleaning bags over the stack (tricky, I know, but go slowly and you can do it) then place the hangers through the hook in the case. Smooth the clothes as flat as you can. Most suitcases now come with flaps or a padded strap that you fasten over the clothes before you fold them. If you’re packing the night before, just leave them on the hook, ready to go but don’t fold the suitcase up until right before you head out the door. You’ll defeat the purpose if you fold them up and zip the suitcase up the night before.

For your folded items, I love, love, love the Eagle Creek® Pack-It® Folders which I buy from The Container Store. They come in several different sizes and with their own folding board with packing tips. How much more obsessive-compulsive can you get? They’re perfect! And if you’re sharing a suitcase with your significant other, buy another one in a different color so you can keep everything neat and separate.
For wrinkle-free folding, try this: Lay out your pants/jeans first. Fold them in half and lay them out length-wise. If you have more than one pair, alternate them. (Say, if you’re taking two pairs, they should be laid out like a plus sign). Now, if you’re taking any tops with long sleeves, lay them out with the arms open over the bottoms. Again, alternate them.  The idea is to finally place your short-sleeve tops, socks and underwear in the center of the pile. Gather up each corner and fold it over the stack until you have a neat little pile. Place the stack in the Pack-It® Folder on top of the board and just close the velcro flaps snugly. Voila! Because you are folding the pant legs and long sleeves over the whole pile, they won’t wrinkle. I usually put the folder in the suitcase first, and then fill in around it with my shoes, jewelry bags, cosmetic and toiletry bags and whatever other ephemera I deem necessary.

Now, what to do about your expensive bras with the formed cups? As I’ve said before, your bras need to be stored stacked, cups up, to prevent crushing and ruining the padding.  But how to avoid the crush when you travel?  My suggestion is a bit much, but I swear it works. Use an old shoe box or get one of the clear plastic ones with a lid. Stack your bras in the box with your panties rolled and stuffed into the cups to keep their shape. They will go through baggage service dent-free.
So if you don’t want to look like a rock-star groupie on the lam (even if you really are!), try these tips to pack with some dignity. Happy Trails!

The blogazine article was written by Jackie Streiker, The Style Coach for Life Liberty Lux.