Zoomingo Blog

With summer only a month away, we’ve got traveling on our mind. If you’re anything like me, the hardest part of planning for a vacation, is packing for it. I know how tempting it can be to pack your entire wardrobe, but chances are you will only actually wear a fraction of what you bring. So if you suffer from chronic over-packer disorder (yes, I just made that up), then try these 10 tips on packing lighter:

1. Buy a smaller suitcase. This will force you to narrow down your choices and be more selective in what you decide to bring. Tricky.

2. Plan your outfit for each day in advance. Think about what activities you’ll be doing, check the weather forecast, and only pack the outfit you’ll need for each day. Don’t pack a separate pair of jeans or shorts for every single day, people aren’t going to notice if you wear the same pair multiple days on your trip…just pack a different top so it’s not the exact same outfit. If you’re thinking about packing something that doesn’t fit into any of your planned outfits, leave it out.

3. Make a list. This way you won’t pack a bunch of stuff you don’t need, while forgetting the most important things. Plan what you’re going to do on the plane. Don’t bring a bunch of books so that you can decide on the plane which one you want to read, make the decision in advance and just bring the one book. Or better yet, an e-reader. When it comes to shoes and accessories, pick one or two that will go with any of the outfits you packed rather than bringing a separate pair for each outfit.

4. Choose your most lightweight clothing and shoes. If you’re trying to decide between outfits, or over-packed and need to narrow it down, start by taking out the heavier items.

5. Avoid “just-in-case” items. If  there is only sun on the forecast, don’t pack “rainy day” clothes just in case. If worst comes to worst, you can buy something new at your destination. Bring only one jacket for chilly nights and to have on hand. When possible, wear those heavier items such as jackets, jeans, and chunky shoes, on the plane to keep your bag light.

6. Use travel-size bottles for toiletries. Don’t pack your full-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, etc. Especially if you know the hotel is going to provide those things. Buy travel-size bottles and fill those with the necessities before the trip.

7. Try to leave extra space! Don’t be that girl that has to sit on top of your suitcase while trying to zip it shut. Leave room in your suitcase so you can easily open and close it, while having space for souvenirs from your trip! If you plan to buy souvenirs, but absolutely cannot leave extra room, pack a small bag that you can use as a carry-on on the way home if you need to. Stuff your accessories and toiletries in the shoes you’re packing so they don’t take up extra space.

8. Coordinate with your travel-buddies to see if there’s anything you guys can share. For toiletries this is a given, but maybe you’re going with friend or sister who wears the same size shoe as you or wears the same size shorts, plan to do a clothes-swap on certain days to cut down on the amount you pack separately.

9. Don’t bring your laptop. Appalling thought, I know. Unless it’s a business trip and you absolutely need it, your laptop will just weigh you down when you can use your phone or tablet just as efficiently. Not to mention most hotels have computers for guests to use if need be.

10. Roll your clothes. Rolling instead of folding not only leaves more space, but prevents creases in your clothing. Seriously, check out how tidy it looks ——————>

Once you’ve put all these tips into use, find out if it worked by carrying your suitcase up and down the stairs a few times! If it’s too much for you to handle, re-evaluate what you packed and cut it down a bit more.