Packing tips learnt the painful way
After the nervous breakdown of my last newsletter, I thought it would be fun/ironic to share my packing tips with you (number one: remember to put all your stuff in your suitcase).
Aside from last week’s unfortunate incident, I’ve spent a long time perfecting my packing, mainly because I used to be crap at it. I once went to Japan with a suitcase so large and heavy that it became the bane of the entire city-hopping trip (I’d stuffed it with things simply because I had a massive luggage allowance, and thought I might as well use it).
On other occasions, I’ve decided to go all minimalist and turned up with one single outfit for what turns out to be a girly, ‘let’s get dressed up every night’ type trip – there is only so glamorous you can look in shorts and a T-shirt.
However I’m very lucky in that I get to travel a lot with my job, which means I’ve had the opportunity to get better at packing and also learn from other seasoned travellers (I always take note of their suitcase type and airport outfits, for example). Here’s what I have learnt…
Buy a clear toiletry bag
I cannot emphasize this enough – if you’re putting your toiletries through security you do no have to place them all in one of those crappy plastic bags they provide, which are not only wasteful but never stay shut. I have spent the past few years zipping all my liquids into one like this, which means you get to organise everything beforehand and can fit much more stuff in. I’ve never had a problem with airport staff accepting it either. Apparently the whole liquids security protocol is being phased out thanks to new scanners, which is great news, but until then I recommend this approach.
Packing cubes
Sorry but I’ve joined the cult. I am a packing cubes addict. They make it so much easier to fit everything in, because they press the air out of your clothes, and it’s a dream when you arrive at your destination and know where each item is. It’s also a good way to make sure you don’t overpack – if one category of stuff does not fit within its allocated cube, you’ve got to take something out. I normally do one cube for clothes, one for underwear/swimwear and one for gym stuff, plus an empty cube to bring back laundry in. I got sent some fancy ones from Away but there are loads of options on Amazon (I recommend a variety of sizes if possible).
Pick a palette
My number one tip is to pick three to four colours (two neutrals and one bright, or two of each) and only pack clothes in that colour. As someone who used to take an entire mish-mash of their wardrobe on holiday, and then need endless shoes and bags to match, this is a game-changer. On my most recent trip, my colours were olive green, cream, black and orange. I only took one packing cube’s worth of clothes in total and got at least 10 outfits out of it, because you can easily mix and match everything when it’s all from one palette (plus, fewer handbags!)
Don’t take lots of shoes
Shoes are a real bugger when it comes to taking up room, as well as weight allowance, in your suitcase. That’s why I’ve increasingly come to believe you should hardly take any. Take one pair of trainers, which you can wear on the plane (I normally take sports ones because I’m a weirdo who likes to use the gym on holiday). And then all you need is one pair of sandals. I’ll allow an additional pair of neutral heels if you’re going to be going out out, but if it’s just dinners etc, then I maintain that smart flat ones will do. In Tuscany, basically all I wore was the Loupa style from Dune, the only slides I have ever found that are pleasant to wear (do not confuse them with the Loupe style which have a completely unmoulded sole!) The beauty of these sandals is they are comfy enough for hours of sightseeing, chic enough to wear to dinner and can slide-on, slide-off, which is great for the pool.
Do take lots of knickers
The only item I do advocate taking loads of on holiday is pants, especially if there’s no laundry. Fancy an early afternoon swim in the hotel pool to recover from a morning stomping round town? Believe me you will never, ever want to put your sweaty sightseeing knickers back on afterwards. My sister and I have a theory that you need at least two pairs of knickers for every day of holiday, three if there’s gymming involved, and I stand by it.
Get a Kindle
I do understand the temptation to load your suitcase up with delicious looking hardbacks, especially so you can then post Instagram pictures of them accompanied by a sun lounger and Pina Colada. But, it’s kind of ridiculous when Kindles exist. Not only will it save you LOADS of weight leaving the books behind, but it’s much easier - physically - to read on a Kindle and you won’t have that situation where the spine of the book melts and all the pages fall out in hot sun (the worst).
Cabin bags only
In December I flew to Thailand for 10 days hand luggage only, and it was fine. Certainly preferable to paying a fortune for a check-in bag and then having it get lost or delay my departure from the airport. Now I’m a strong advocate of always travelling with just a cabin bag – I’ve found the combination of an Away Original Carry-On (pricey but worth it) and the Kono holdall (which fits under the seat in front) is ideal.
INSECT REPELLANT
I’m putting this in shouty capitals because it’s the one thing I always forget and regret. Nothing will spoil your holiday like being bitten to smithereens, so if there’s any chance of mosquitos or any other hideous little beasties on you trip, pack insect repellent. I find it useful to have a generic packing list in the Notes app on my phone to remind me of little things like this that are easy to forget - if you’re away and notice something you need is missing, make sure you add it to the list!