The art of travelling with ease is something I've always admired. And as I explored the world through holidays, and took jobs that required visiting different countries, packing light has become somewhat of a passion.
Love to travel, haaaaate lugging around a heavy suitcase? Yep, me too. So learning a streamlined approach to packing is one way to take a little of the stress out of travelling.
Packing light? Let's do this thing. It's all in the edit...
Get Comfy with Cubes
If you haven't discovered the magic of packing cubes yet, prepare for your life to change. These handy little organizers are a game-changer when it comes to packing efficiently. Here’s why:
- Ninja-level organisation - Packing cubes keep everything neatly in place. No more rummaging through your suitcase to find that one top you love.
- Save your space - They help compress your clothes, so you can fit more into your suitcase without it being overstuffed. So that means more space for beauty products and duty-free tequila. Winning.
- Easy access - You can quickly find what you need without disrupting your entire suitcase. I like to use different cubes for different types of clothing – one for tops, one for bottoms, and so on.
These Travel Lover packing cubes from Amazon are durable, neat and save so much space. Whether its a checked in suitcase or a weekend bag, I'm never without them away from home.
Bonus packing tip that I love for kids - use a plastic shoe organiser and in each pocket, pop in a complete outfit for the day, including pants and socks, rolled up. When you reach the hotel, hang it over the door and they have an easy way to get themselves dressed each day.
Create a Holiday Capsule Wardrobe
One of the best ways to pack light is to create a capsule wardrobe specifically for your holiday.
This means choosing a small selection of versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. Here’s how to do it:
- Pick a palette - Choose a base color like black, navy, or beige, and then add a couple of complementary colors. This means all the pieces you take can be seamlessly mixed together. Check out my two week Thailand wardrobe in cream, khaki, brown and orange here.
- Choose multi-functional items - Think about pieces that can be easily dressed up or down. A simple dress can work for both a day of sightseeing and an evening out when styled right. I love a simple slip dress in silk for suiting all occaisions.
- Limit the shoes - Shoes are definitely the worst offenders for making a suitcase heavy and bulking it out, so be really strict! A pair of flat sandals, some heels for evening, and some trainers if you're doing a lot of walking cover most of the bases.
5-4-3-2-1 Packing Method
This method is a great guideline for keeping your packing in check. It stands for 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 accessories, 2 pairs of shoes, and 1 swimsuit. I live and breathe this rule for a one week break.
It’s flexible, so you can adjust it to suit your needs, but it’s a fantastic starting point. Let’s break it down:
- 5 Tops: Include a mix of casual and dressier options. Think t-shirts, blouses, and a light sweater.
- 4 Bottoms: Choose versatile bottoms like jeans, shorts, a skirt, and perhaps a pair of lightweight trousers.
- 3 Accessories: A hat, a scarf, and a dressier bag for evening can elevate your outfits without taking up much space.
- 2 Pairs of Shoes: As mentioned before, a pair of comfortable walking shoes and a dressier option should suffice.
- 1 Swimsuit: Even if you're not heading to the beach, a swimsuit can be handy for hotel pools or spas.
If I'm heading out for two weeks or more, I might double the above, although there is sometimes the option to wash and wear.
Layering is Key
Here in the UK, you can experience all four seasons before you've even arrived at the airport, before you even get to the cold flights, unbearably hot passport queue, and all the other temperature changes heading to sunnier climes.
Lots of light layers are a must (I love the Ultralight Jackets from Uniqlo for travel, as they can be rolled up easily and stashed). For colder weather trips, this long camel coatigan from Mango has been a really versatile choice. Natural breathable fabrics - think 100% cotton, cashmere and silk - also help to regulate temperature.
And the more layers you can wear to travel in, the less things to pack!
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Packing light isn't just about fitting everything into a carry-on – it's about traveling with ease and enjoying the freedom that comes with it.
By using a few simple tricks, its not so hard master the art of packing light. Remember, the goal is to bring only what you need and to make the most of every item in your suitcase.
Happy travels, and may your suitcase always be light and your adventures many...
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