If only all of us could pack our bags and travel the world this Christmas! Unfortunately, “leaving on a jet plane” is a privilege not everyone is granted over the holidays, so if you’re one of the lucky few blessed with the opportunity to see the world, make sure to check out our travel tips to help you plan and pack your travel essentials as efficiently as possible.
By BIANCA VALERIO
Packing is an understated, skillful art of balancing four essential components: compartmentalizing, choosing the lightest items and saving space — all as you avoid sacrificing your personal style.
You want to pack stylish outfits that are Instagram-worthy. Yet, you need to pack as little as possible to make room for shopping. To add to that, you also have to consider the weight of those so-called minimal items so as not to incur dreadful excess baggage fees when flying back home!
If all of those things sound familiar, check out our practical tips to remember when packing light for your next vacation:
(Longchamp bags are lightweight yet absolutely cute — perfect for the world traveler)
Compress and Conserve
Make use of organizer bags as well as vacuum storage bags to compartmentalize tops, bottoms, dresses, underwear and so on. To make the most of space, roll all your clothes individually and pack them tightly together on top of one another, like stacks of sushi. The advantage of this technique is that it maximizes use of little luggage crevices. But you may need to take into consideration that your clothes might get wrinkled.
#OOTD
Space-saving is not the same as organizing. The former is making clever use of space to make room for more, while the latter is simply the art of compartmentalizing. If the vacation is a short three-to-four-day trip, schedule your OOTD (outfit of the day). Choose items that can easily be washed, mixed and matched. Allot an extra outfit or two, including a nice dress shirt or wrap-around dress for sudden occasions that might need you to come more dressed up.
(Pieces from Old Navy’s F/W 2016 collection can be easily mixed and matched)
Beauty Basics
Toiletries are essential but they also add bulk and weight. To edit down your beauty travel kit, buy travel-size toiletries or transfer products to smaller travel containers. For easy disposal, bring shampoo and conditioner sachets or moisturizer samples, which are measured for exact use. If money is not a problem, buy your toiletries at your destination and leave them there before heading home.
Excess Baggage
To help lessen your excess baggage, wear the heaviest, bulkiest items (i.e. layered jackets, boots and etc.) to the airport and during your flight. Not only do you get to bring them, but you get to save space in your luggage.
(Jackets from Dunhill’s latest collection are sure to be functional and fashionable)
Dirty Laundry
Let’s admit it, our dirty clothes become the unwanted, mortal enemies that are given last priority when packing for your trip back home. Set aside your dirty clothes from your pasalubongs by using your hotel’s laundry bag or your own thin plastic bag. Never pack your wet bathing suits and towels as these will definitely weigh you down.
Best Shoe Forward
Other than those “roll-up” ballerina flats, shoes are the most challenging to pack. Pack them as you normally would, back-to-back, face-to-face or side-by-side, inside a shoe bag. (Unless it’s really necessary, leave the boxes at home.) When packing shoes, imagine making lasagna. Lay tightly rolled clothes at the bottom of your luggage to serve as cushioning. Then lay one shoe in between layers of clothes. Then squeeze in more rolled items in between the crevices available. To retain shoe shape while maximizing space, stuff rolled underwear, thin fabrics or even accessories inside each shoe. Use thin plastic bags or shoe bags to store your shoes to keep clothes from getting dirty. You may also use the thin paper inside boxes that usually comes with your new shoes to wrap each shoe before layer-packing them. This will prevent sharp heels from damaging clothes, pulling of beads and other details from coming off, as well as color transfer.
Now, all you need is a crazy adventure and you’re on your way! Bon Voyage!
