[trip style = any]
Think you’ve read about every packing hack under the sun? Think again. One benefit of my job as a Trip Stylist is the access I get to the inner sanctums {aka: suitcases} of the world’s most well-traveled jetsetters.
Not only do their packing prescriptions constantly sharpen my own suitcase skills, but I'm often left thinking "Genius! why didn't I think of that."
Beyond the typical tactics—think: roll your clothes or transport your earrings in a pillbox—here are the most usable, useful and “ah-ha” packing hacks for your next adventure:
COVER IT
With every mile I log at 35,000 feet, my love affair with the plastic shower cap gets more and more strong because it always has me covered. Get it? Pun aside, I carry multiple hotel shower caps to wrap my shoes {or anything with mess-potential) so my soles don’t soil my garments.
STACK IT
Ever since you started putting clothes in a suitcase, you were probably told to roll your garments, right? WRONG! One of the best pieces of advice I've gleaned on the topic comes from Shaun Huberts, a Canadian musician who spends his life living out of a suitcase. His packing epiphany, which he writes about in his book, How to Pack like a Rock Star, involves arranging clothes in your case as if you’re laying bricks. {Think of it like a fold-roll hybrid.} This way, garments stay ultra-compact, and you can see every single item in your suitcase—sans rummaging to find “that” top you want to wear tonight.
STUFF IT
Think of your suitcase like New York City real estate—every available inch of space needs to be maximized. With this, wait until the end of your packing process to find a spot for your socks and undergarments {or anything small and malleable}. Whether you fill a fist-sized space with your small stuff, slot a few extra items into your shoe, or cram essentials in your clutch, wait until all your big items are in your bag first.
WASH IT
When you’re on the road for more than a week, and need to launder a few garments without doing an entire load, skip the sink in lieu of your own DIY washing machine. Armed with a freezer-sized Zip-Lock bag and soap, all you need to do is throw in your garments, add water and dash of soap, seal the top, swirl, and rinse. This method is quick, easy and there’s no mess.
Trip Styler Tip: If you swim on the last day of your trip, and need to store your wet swimsuit in a no-leak pouch, your wash-bag does the trick.
DE-CREASE IT
Sometimes an iron is necessary for stubborn creases, but when your apparel is only lightly wrinkled, hang it in the bathroom while you’re having a shower to loosen the fibers. Once you’ve dried off, place your getup on top of your partially damp towel, loosely roll it, and leave it. Three minutes later, unravel your once-rumpled garment, smooth it with your hands and go!
ASSEMBLE IT
Whether you’re flying private, in a suite aboard a commercial jet, or in seat 75D, you know what products will make you feel good. Sure, the Jurlique amenity kits on Cathay Pacific and the Godiva chocolates on Emirates can help ease you into your journey, but nothing can replace the things that bring you comfort on cloud nine. So to feel really comfortable inflight, assemble your own small kit to slot into your first-class cubby or seat-back in front of you. My high-flying favorites include: pen, toothbrush, travel-sized hand or face lotion, eye cream, wipes or sanitizer, face mask, lip conditioner and tiny notebook.
---> A variation of this article originally appeared in Luxury Retreats Magazine, a publication to which I contribute regularly. <---
[Graphics by @HeatherLovesIt, video by @Tripstyler]