Organizing for Your Vacation – Packing

Reading time – 5 minutes

Vacation Hacks 

There is more to packing for a vacation than getting your clothes into the suitcase.  I will talk about packing clothes as well as

• documents,
• electronics,
• the household and
• lists

in following blogs.

The style of packing you do will depend on whether you are unpacking or living out of a suitcase. It also depends on your personal preference.

Bed Stacking 

When I would be packing for myself and 3 children, it took too much time to pack each of them individually.  So we started to do it as a group. I would give them an instruction e.g. 7 pairs of socks. They put the pile on the bed. I would check each child and we would move on to the next items, bathing suit, swimming shirt, pyjamas, etc.  After everything was on the bed, they would put each pile into a suitcase and close it.

I have packed so many times that I discovered, by accident, that I always put things in the same place in the suitcase every time.  When I open the suitcase, I instinctively know where everything is. There are lots of packing methods.  Choose one that works for you.

Packing Styles 

1. Rolling clothes 

Rolling prevents creases, saves space and protects delicate items. Generally, you roll each item individually, especially if you will be living out of your suitcase.

I have read about rolling as one continuous roll.  Clothes that are least likely to wrinkle, like cotton, can go in the middle to start the roll. Clothes that are most likely to wrinkle (such as linen) go around the outside.  It would work if you are unpacking your suitcase.

2. Stacking or Piles 

I like to have piles of clothing designated for different types of usage.

I will put together my dressy clothing then daily tops, pants, shorts, and capris.  Another grouping will be pyjamas, athletic gear and swimwear. Sweater or warmer items will go together and then underwear.  One trick is to pack the item you need first on top. On my last trip, I packed my pyjamas and the next day’s clothing on top because it was an overnight stay at a hotel, leaving in the morning. When I was travelling with children, it was bathing suits on top of the pile.

3. Packing Cubes

An alternative to stacking is to invest in some packing cubes. At your destination, you can then simply pop the cubes straight into a drawer.  There are many styles of packing cubes, some you can see through. Cubes might have one type of clothing in it or it may have an entire outfit.

4. Compression Bags

Some people like to use compression bags to save space.  It will compress a large stack or roll of clothes into a small one.  It is great if you are taking a carry-on or going on a long trip and need a lot of clothing or travelling in the winter with bulkier clothing.

Here are some tips:

• To keep shirt collars stiff – The last thing you want is for your smart white shirt to arrive at your destination creased and crushed.  Try placing a rolled-up belt in the neck of a shirt to keep it firm.
• Pack underwear in drawstring bags – Once you’ve unpacked, you can then use the bags to store clothes you’ve worn. This means they’re separate from the clean stuff and ready to wash when you get home.

What to pack

I have gone on a cruise for a week with a carry-on.  I have gone to England in April to a conference for a week with a carry-on and I have gone on a boat and bike trip for a week with a carry-on with minimal handwashing of clothing.  When I travel by car, I take extra things.  When I fly to see family, there are always toys, gifts, and food to add to the packing list, so the suitcase is bigger.

I find it fun when I return to see how closely I guessed about what I needed and how many extras I brought along.  It used to be about 50% too much and now it is one day of clothing.

I think you might be hoping I can tell you exactly what to pack.  I can’t because each trip is different and each person is different.

These questions will help you decide what you need for your trip.

• How much?
• What is happening on your trip?
• What is the expected temperature/weather?
• What to avoid
• Specialized Clothing

You must plan what you’re going to wear each day and evening and determine how much you need of everything. Going through your drawers and closet and picking at random is not a successful way to pack.

• Can things be worn twice? When you wear something will it be for the whole day or just a few hours?
• You will pack for the types of activities that will be happening on your trip.
• Look up the temperature and weather while you are away.

Here are a few tips for selecting the clothing you will pack:

• Instead of taking clothing for warm weather and cold weather, can you layer with a shirt or leggings under the lighter weight clothing to make it warmer if needed?
• Pack a few items that can be easily hand washed and easy to dry
• Pack wrinkle free fabrics
• Pick one colour scheme, so everything goes with everything.  I usually pack black and blue bottoms and shirts, sweaters and jackets that will match with black or blue.
• Pack less. The more you pack the more you have to unpack or wash when you return.  It is also harder to find things in your suitcase.
• Choose things that can do double duty. Wear a shirt for supper one evening and then the next day. A skirt with leggings if it is cold, leggings under the pants if it is cold, and leggings to lie around and relax in.  A shawl for warmth, as a scarf, an accent piece.
• Remember rain gear/umbrella.   A raincoat can double as a windbreaker or an additional layer if it is cold.
• Belt
• Shoes take up a lot of space in a suitcase. Choose carefully. If you are flying, wear the ones that take up the most space.
• How fancy do you need to be?  Can you change one outfit by adding a shawl, turning a dress into a skirt by wearing a top over it, or adding a belt
• Athletic clothing.  Take items that can be hand washed and dry quickly.

Things I avoid packing

• White clothing
• Things that only go with one outfit
• Items that wrinkle easily

Specialized Clothing to Consider 

• Sunscreen built into shirts and pants.
• Heat or cool clothing
• Costumes – Canada Day?

Extras

We have talked about the basic clothing for a trip. Here are some extras that you might find nice to have on hand.

• Jewelry – don’t flaunt it and make yourself a target
• Hangers – Take flimsy hangers you get from the dry cleaner and leave them behind.
• A night light
• Purse/backpack to use during the day to hold a sweater, water, travel information and sunscreen.  Then pack a small bag for evenings.
• Baggies /plastic bags for snacks, hearing aids at a pool, wet clothing
  

  2 purses, one for daytime exploration and a small handbag for evenings.

Cosmetics

There are a lot of styles of cosmetic bags.  I used to use one that would open and hang on a hook in the bathroom.  It was great when we were a family of 5 travelling and there wasn’t much counter space in a bathroom.   Now I like to pack 2 bags. One with daily items and one with items I might need, medications, laundry soap, band aids etc. Both are clear and it is easy to find what I need.

Packing Summary 

Packing is best summarized by remembering to pack versatile clothing, comfortable shoes, and essential toiletries. Consider the weather, planned activities, and any cultural considerations.  For example going in some churches you can’t wear shorts so I had a light weight skirt in my bag that I pulled on over my shorts. If you’re travelling in Muslim and Arab countries, there are more cultural considerations.

Julie Stobbe is the 2024-2025 winner of the Harold Taylor Award for outstanding contributions to the organizing industry and Professional Organizers in Canada. As a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach, she brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides, mentors and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.

Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca

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