5 Easy Packing Tips: Maximize Space + Travel In Style

• Plan Ahead + Use a Rolling Rack

  

  Do you have a rolling rack at home? If not, order one stat! Pulling your outfits onto a rolling rack before you pack makes everything so much easier, especially if you do it ahead of time. This is my first step and I use the rolling rack as a sort of staging area. I like to add any and all potential outfits, favorite pieces, shoes and accessories I’d love to take. I try and think with a capsule approach—picking pieces that may work well together. I try it all on, see what’s fitting well, play around with combos, and edit down to the best capsule combos.

• Build Your Outfits Visually

  

  After choosing the best combos, I lay it all visually. I use PowerPoint, but you can use Canva, or your favorite creative tool. I search images online and pull them into the layout. This process helps me think of which shoes I could wear with several outfits, and visually consider the outfit vibe of the entire trip. As a mood dresser, I also always include one or two optional ‘fits.

  I love having a cohesive color palette and vibe, which also gives me flexibility in last-minute swap-outs if need be. Consider planning in layers too, so if it’s warm or cold, you can add on or take off a layer.

  

  When you’re done, save these visual layouts to your phone, and when you arrive at your destination, it’s easy to remember what you had planned for each day. I promise you… this approach is a gamechanger.

• Roll Clothes + Pack Outfits Together

  

  I’m a big fan of the rolling clothes method of packing. I feel like clothing arrives less wrinkled and I can fit more especially if I roll “high” to the top of the suitcase. I also love that you can see everything as soon as you open your luggage.

  A few tricks I use:

  • Try and roll outfits together (if they’re not too bulky). Whenever I can, I roll camis or tees inside of blazers, or shirts and jeans together. It can save room and you can unpack outfits all at once.
  • Place heavier items at the base of your suitcase (by the wheels) — that way, your suitcase is never tipping over.
  • Use the inside of shoes for packing small stuff — belts/socks/etc can go on the inside and help retain the shape of the shoe (bonus!) in your suitcase

• Use Packing Cubes for the Small Stuff

  I use cubes sparingly, but always for underwear, bras, socks, belts, bags and other accessories. You can really jam stuff in there to save space. I don’t use them for shoes as I can typically stuff extra little things between and within the shoes as I had mentioned above.

• Pack Extra Tote for Shopping & Gifts

  

  I mean, duh, right?! If you’re like me, the best time to shop is when you travel. I love the memories that come with the shopping, so I always take a folded tote with me to bring those extra items home. I love love love my extra large Longchamps travel bag which folds up super small and flat.

• Favorite Travel Items

  

• AMAZON ESSENTIALS: TRAVEL

  

• CHECK OUT EVERYTHING I WORE IN EUROPE