4 Practical Suitcase Packing Tips

With the introduction of checked baggage fees, and excess baggage costs, it pays to fit everything into your suitcase without going over your weight limit. But how can you pack your suitcase and still have everything you need for your trip?

Roll Your Clothes

Rolling clothes, rather than folding them over once, will save a lot of room in your suitcase, and your clothes will not be full of creases when you reach your destination. All clothes, from dresses to jeans, can be rolled to fit inside a suitcase. Get into the habit of rolling your clothes, and you will see just how much room is left over.

Pack Just Two or Three Pairs of Shoes

Shoes add weight to a suitcase and also take up a lot of room. Before you empty the contents of your shoe rack into your suitcase, consider what you will really need for your trip. Pack a pair of sandals or flip flops for the beach, high heels for a night on the town and plan on wearing a comfortable pair of walking shoes on the day of travel. Once you know what outfits you will be taking along with you, it will be easier to plan by packing matching shoes.

Pack a Small Selection of Outfits

Do you really need a dozen dresses, seven pairs of jeans and a handful of t-shirts? It can be hard to choose just a small selection of outfits to take along with you, especially when you will be gone for a month or more. But getting into the habit of packing light will help keep the weight of your suitcase down, which will allow you more room for souvenirs.

Pack just a few outfits and a number of light accessories that can be mixed and matched, and don't forget that you can always launder your clothes while you are gone, so you can wear them again and again.

Pack the Bare Minimum Toiletries

Toiletries can take up room in a suitcase, but if you stick with the bare minimum you will not have that problem. Look at what you use in a typical day and then work around that. Pack one deodorant, one soap or bottle of shower gel, travel sized perfumes or colognes, shaving gel, shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste.

Packing a suitcase can be stressful. If you are not careful, you will end up emptying the contents of your wardrobe into your suitcase. Unfortunately, doing so will add unnecessary weight, which means excess baggage fees. Get into the habit of conserving space by rolling clothes, and packing the bare minimum quantities of shoes, clothes and toiletries.