Bright Ideas for Packing Lighter

Let’s face it. The airlines charge a lot of money to handle our baggage these days. Should one of your bags be overweight, the cost skyrockets. To avoid the higher costs, you must pack less.

When it comes to clothing, always think “multi-use.” It’s tempting to pack that one extra sweater or jacket because it’s the perfect accent to the outfit, but are you going to wear it more than once? Does it go with other pants, shirts, or skirts you’ve packed? Inevitably you will wind up packing other things to go with that one extra piece of clothing — and that my friend is how over-packing starts! Here are some handy tips to help you pack lighter for each vacation.

Make use of a “Virtual Closet” app. Download a virtual closet app on tablet or phone. (You might wish to try an app like StyleBook or Smart Closet.) The app allows you to snap pictures of each piece of clothing in your wardrobe. Next step, it is time to assemble outfits using your pics. Some apps feature the ability to place a picture of the outfit on a calendar, which I find extremely helpful when visualizing how every item has multiple purposes for wear.

Bulky Items? Don’t pack them — wear them. While this can be an admittedly uncomfortable option if you are traveling between two very different climates — it still is easier than over-packing for the one perfect outfit. Since these items take up lots of space in a suitcase, consider wearing them. Jackets and coats can easily be removed once on the airplane and stored in the overhead compartment. Men’s dress shoes, knee-high boots, shoes with chunky heels, and hiking boots are great candidates for wearing rather than packing.

Do a load of laundry. Are you planning a longer trip? Instead of packing more clothing, plan to wash a load of laundry while away. Opt for a clothing detergent specially designed for travelers on the go. The detergent is pre-measured, lightweight and packaged for travel. You can easily find it online.

Need some additional tips for packing? Feel free to reach out to me. I'm happy to help. Melissa@RLXTravelGroup.com