Packing your bags for an exciting weekend away from home but you’re struggling not to empty the entire contents of your wardrobe into your suitcase? Whether you’re packing for a business trip, an overnighter, or a several-week-long vacation, we’re here to help! Here are our top tips for packing light.
1. Make a packing checklist
Write down a list of all the things you need/want to take. It will be a lot easier to pack light if you’re not just trawling through your clothes and tossing in every item you think looks nice.
2. Do you really need it?… Really?
You probably won’t need the same top in three different colours or four pairs of shoes when you’re only going for a weekend away. And it’s likely that you won’t need 10 different tops when you’re only going away for five nights. Be ruthless and put your minimalist hat on – for each item you’re packing in your bag, ask yourself whether or not you really need it. If necessary, plan your daily outfits in advance!
3. Downsize your toiletries
If you’re only going away for a few days or a week, you don’t really need full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, lotions and moisturiser. If you don’t have any travel-sized versions of your usual toiletries, invest in some small bottles to create your own.
4. Layer your clothes
Not sure if it’s going to be chilly where you’re going? Pack clothes that are suitable for layering rather than including bulky jackets and sweaters.
5. Take some laundry powder
If you’re going away for a longer period of time, take along some laundry detergent so you can wash your clothes and re-use them, rather than packing multiples of the same thing. As long as you have a sink and somewhere suitable for drying things, you’re set!
6. Select clothing you can mix and match easily
Rather than taking a pair of brightly coloured floral shorts that you can only wear with one of your tops, pack clothing you can easily mix and match with the other items you’ve packed to create different outfits for the days you are away.
7. Wear your biggest items while travelling
If you really need to take a large coat or jacket, wear it whenever you’re travelling, rather than let it take up precious room in your suitcase.
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