Layer, from the bottom up – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Start at the bottom of your suitcase and place all clothes you will need for your last day there; pants, tops, socks, undies. Next layer, next to last day there… and so on, and so on.

You will end up with the top layer being the first pair of clothes you’ll need on your arrival.

I used to tend to over pack, so this helps to organize each day. I also try to rely on very few changes of shoes… and those go around the side. A small jewelry bag with multiple compartments and a small bag for toiletries and make-up.

Bring a Swiss Army Knife – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

The usefulness of a Swiss army knife or other similar utility tool can not be understated.

Beyond the obvious uses of the available tools like the can and bottle openers and the knife and scissors to open packaging, there are also several other potential uses:

  • The point of the knife is an effective screwdriver for very small screws like those seen on the battery doors of many electronic devices (fresh batteries also being an essential item to pack).
  • The scissors are strong enough to cut the binding of a spiral notebook if it comes undone.

Just be sure not to store it in your carry-on luggage — the TSA will confiscate your precious tool!

Make your bag stand out – Airplane tip

by Gadling Staff on

Make your luggage stand out! Customizing your luggage prevents others from mistakenly picking it up and helps you spot your luggage faster.

Customizing your luggage need not be expensive. Inexpensive options include:

  • tieing brightly-colored ribbons to the handles of each piece of luggage;
  • affixing bumper stickers to the hard, external parts of bags;
  • wrapping multi-colored duct tape to the outside of a piece of luggage;
  • monogram-stenciling the bag with paint;
  • attaching unbreakable holiday ornaments to a bag’s handles.

Wear, then toss – International travel tip

by Gadling Staff on

Just before a big trip overseas, I cull my closet of those items of clothing that might have one more “wear” in them, and that are still appropriate for the destination to which I’m traveling. While on my trip, once that outfit has been worn, it goes straight into the hotel room trash bin.

Doing this means both one less laundry item when I get home AND it opens up space in my luggage for those obligatory souvenirs.

Don’t go overboard though… be sure to leave yourself enough clothes to cover an unexpected layover on your return home.

Use plastic bags – Packing tip

by Gadling Staff on

Packing clothes for travel without having to iron upon arriving is easy. Here’s what you do —

  1. Save those plastic bags from the dry cleaner (or go get some).
  2. Hang each skirt, jacket, blouse or pair of pants on a hanger and then cover each with a plastic bag.
  3. Hold all the hung clothes side-by-side and roll them up together and place in suitcase. (Other items like sweaters need to be rolled individually and wedged amongst other items in your suitcase.)
  4. At you destination, unroll everything, hang the hangers in a closet, and lay flat the others on the back of a chair.

Now… go out and look sharp!