Do you dread packing? Do you long to be less stressed, even organized when you pack for your next trip? Read on to learn my best {simple} packing tips AND see pictures inside my suitcase.
Plus, grab a free copy of my Packing Planner PDF. Using this will make packing easy and organized.
How to pack an organized suitcase.
TIP #1: Pack “File Style”
My daughter walked into my room while I was packing. After she saw my distressed look, she said, “Mom, why don’t you pack like me?”
My girls said that I originally taught them “file style” when I showed them to fold t-shirts and pajamas in their drawers. I’d just forgotten to do the same in my suitcase!
Now, I fold all my clothes and “file” them into my suitcase. I have all my PJs, shirts, workout and casual clothes filed on the left.
TIP #2: Use Packing Cubes for Categories
I’m using two packing cubes. In the one under my jeans, I have the category of swimwear and coverups. They are slippery so the suits don’t pack “file style” well and are therefore a good category for a zipped cube.
The other cube is on top of the shoes, in the picture below, and contains underclothes. Again, a slippery, uneven category that works best in a zippered packing cube.
TIP #3: Pack for Outings
Think ahead so you are prepared when arriving at your travel destination. For this trip, I packed a plastic baggie of sunscreen and supplies that we then put directly into a backpack whenever we left for an outing.
TIP #4: Use My Packing Planner
The hardest part of packing for me is deciding what to bring to wear.
Now, using my packing planner, I first think of what I’ll be doing each day.
I write that down along with what I would wear for each of those activities.
Then, I pack it.
Sometimes, I even pack the clothes in order of when I’ll wear each outfit.
I throw my planning sheet inside my suitcase so I don’t have to remember any of it. I just look at my list each morning and get dressed.
Here’s mine from our last trip.
There are additional places on the planner for you to customize what you pack and jot down notes.
TIP #5: Lay hanging clothes across the top.
I put my dressy clothes inside a plastic zipped cover and laid them across the top. This helps them stay less wrinkly. I loved that I could grab them and immediately hang them up when we arrived.
This trip was for 10 days so I am using a larger suitcase. Typically I pack in a carry on size.
BONUS TIP: Use Straws
Even though I have a jewelry pouch that I use to pack my earrings, rings, and chunkier jewelry, I love this idea for delicate chains. I took this screenshot on Instagram so I can remember to try this next time I travel.
I have one chain on my dresser now that has a little tangle in it from my last trip. Ugh.
Leave your favorite packing tips in the comments and maybe I’ll do a Packing Tips Part II. Go to my travel Pinterest board for more organized travel ideas.
Happy packing!
Now you know how I pack an organized suitcase, you might want to see how I organize my kitchen and how I organized my office.
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