Suitcase Packing Tips

On this flight everyone is allowed to bring one suitcase that weighs 23kg or less. For a ten month stay that is not a whole lot. So this means packing tactfully. I can say I have had my fair share of flights, short and long distances, so my packing skills are what I would call well developed.

First of all: clothes! Make sets of what you will wear and do not take any more with you than planned. Use key items and match these with each other, then bring in colourful accessories to make the outfit more fun. Key items being jeans, plain shirts, basic jackets and shoes that go with everything. On day one go for the jeans and white tee, the next day try a jersey with shorts and for the third day go back to the jeans you wore the first day but match them with another colour tee. This way you can make many different sets of clothing with as few items as possible.

Next: toiletries. Try to bring mini’s of everything. I have everything from hair conditioner to nail polish remover in travel size. They take up a lot less space and they don’t weigh as much as the big bottles do. If you go on holiday for a week, you are all set. However, if you go for a longer period of time, like I am, you can buy larger products later on.

Third: entertainment. I enjoy reading so I always bring a book or two. Now these are often a few hundred pages and they take up half the suitcase. Not very tactful so bring these in your handlugage, they don’t weigh your carry on so it saves you the trouble of having to pay for the extra weight you checked in at the counter. Another solution is an e-reader, takes up minimum space, allows you to bring as many books as you want and weighs as much as a feather (almost).  Now I honestly have to say I don’t have any experience with an e-reader as I just received mine as a present but it seems like the way to go.

Footwear: shoes. Like I have said above, try to bring one pair of shoes that go with everything. There are four pair in my suitcase. Well three as I am currently wearing my All Stars. Heels, those are a pain to find so why not bring them? I am sure I will only wear this one pair for all the occasions I will attend that acquire you to wear heels so that saves me the trouble. Slippers (or flip flops), I live in them and I can go through hours and hours of walking and not feel a thing. They take up very little space and they are much more comfortable than my All Stars. Gym shoes, I need to be able to work out while I am in Missouri. I know there are a lot of stores where you can easily find a pair for not too much money but I have special trainers cause I am weird like that. 

Others: extra’s. An adapter if you go somewhere with different electricity plugs and some other things. This is only what I am taking with me and definitely not necessary but if you have space left…Tissues, cotton pads, deodorant (they don’t do the spray ones in America), skincare with doctor’s prescription, presents for my host family and a small black handbag.

This is just what I usually take with me but of course you can throw out and add stuff. I hope you enjoyed reading.

Much love,

Naomi