One of the major problems when traveling is how to pack a suitcase so that your clothes won’t get creased and wrinkled
Of course the scale of the problem depends upon the actual size of the suitcase. So the first decision to make is: which type of case to take? Well, that depends on the length of the trip; an overnight bag is one thing, a cabin trunk is quite another.
Then there is the question of how are you traveling? By car? By ship? By air? Each mode of transportation has its own difficulties. Our Life Daily team has chosen the option that we think is the most problematic, and that’s air travel.
With so many limitations on size and weight – not to mention security restrictions – the most practical solution is to take the largest carry-on that the airline allows. Apart from any other consideration, it will save the tedious wait at the baggage carousel after a tiring flight.
We have also selected a short video to illustrate our list of the eight simple stages involved in packing the perfect suitcase
In general the rules apply to both men and women but, ladies, you’ll have to come to terms with the fact that you can’t take a different pair of shoes for each day of the trip!
Follow these rules and you’ll be sure to pack a suitcase in which your clothes come out as neat and tidy as they went in:
Stage 1. Save dry cleaning bags
Save dry-cleaner polythene bags in the weeks before your trip.
Stage 2. Fasten everything
Spread out the clothes you want to take; fasten every zipper, button, and hook.
Stage 3. Layer and fold
Take your pants and fold each pair lengthwise; layer them on top of each other, and then fold the entire set over once.
Stage 4. Layer and roll
Layer and roll your shirts by placing them on top of each other and place tissue paper between each layer. Then carefully fold the arms across the middle and roll them up
Stage 5. Place in bags
Put each set of folded or rolled clothes into separate dry cleaning bags.
Stage 6. Begin packing
Begin packing by placing the heaviest clothing on the bottom. Put suits and jackets face down; sweaters and light jackets go next, then lightweight items like shirts and blouses.
Stage 7. Tuck socks
Tuck socks inside your shoes; then put the shoes in plastic bags and place them along the sides of the suitcase.
Stage 8. Evaluate
When you’ve packed everything study your suitcase. Creasing is caused by under-packing or over-packing. The idea is to fill the suitcase to capacity, but not to overfill it.
It’s always a good idea to try to manage with the minimum amount of clothes possible, and to get them washed, cleaned, and ironed during the trip. If that isn’t possible try to take fabrics that are resistant to creasing.
These include, nylon, polyester, microfiber, spandex, acrylic, and acetate. All these fabrics are drip-dry and hardly need ironing. Follow these guidelines, and we guarantee that you will not regret learning how to pack a suitcase properly.
