Packing Like a Pro: The Travel Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
The first trip I ever went on was to Jamaica for a week with family friends. I bought a purple and pink carry-on suitcase from Target and I was super excited that everything I packed fit perfectly. When my mom’s friend came to pick me up, she was shocked that I had packed so light and immediately demanded I add more clothes. And that my friends, is my overpacker origin story. Ever since then I’ve always packed a little extra because I can hear her voice in my head telling me I need more.
While I’ve accepted bringing more, I’m still firmly committed to carry-on suitcases so I’ve had to learn how to maximize space over the years.
Travel hacks for packing like a pro for a stress-free, stylish trip:
Packing cubes:
If you’re rolling your eyes, I get it. I resisted them for years, convinced my “flat-pack-and-smush” method was superior. Spoiler: It wasn’t. Not only do they help condense items, it also helps to keep things organized which is especially helpful on longer trips. And the compression ones are just next level. (Bonus: No more suitcase explosions when looking for that one top!). I was able to pack for a full 2 weeks to Tanzania with just a carry on using the packing cubes.
SAY YES PRO TIP: Use separate cubes for different categories—one for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear—to make grabbing what you need effortless.
Here are some of the packing cubes that we absolutely love:
Roll, Roll, Roll
Again the flat pack and smush technique is also defeated by the rolling method. And not just any rolling. You have to apply some pressure to roll as tightly as possible. I finally understood that this year when packing bulky winter clothes for Napa.
Say Yes Pro Tip: Roll tightly and tuck small items like socks or underwear inside shoes to maximize every inch of space.
Pack early and then unpack to repack
You either pack 2 weeks before or the night before. There’s no inbetween. I identify as an early packer and even though it’s extreme, it gives me more time to reflect on my choices. As a result, I’m always able to remove things in that final review and repack session.
The Rule: If you hesitate about an item twice, it’s a sign to leave it behind.
Be realistic
You know how you always pack 2 books because you’re super confident you’re going to stay awake on the flight instead of knocking out how you always do? Or you pack that one dress that you’ve never worn but somehow this is the trip that will change? It’s time to stop lying to yourself my friend and leave it at home. So yes, ditch that “just in case” outfit, the extra pair of heels, and any item that doesn’t match at least two outfits.
What are your best space-saving packing tips? Let’s swap strategies in the comments! And if you’re still trying to master the carry-on-only lifestyle, let’s plan your next trip with a stress-free, luxury itinerary:
Safe Travels,
Briana
