Decide which clothes you'll need for your trip. Real Simple magazine advises packing clothes made of wool or cotton to prevent wrinkles. Soft garments, like T-shirts and underwear, can be rolled tightly and won't wrinkle. Stiff garments, such as button-down shirts, need careful folding to prevent wrinkles. Another way to resist wrinkles, even in wrinkle-prone material, is to place a dry-cleaning bag between layers of clothing. The slippery surface of the bag keeps clothes moving around so wrinkles have no chance to set. To save on space, pack clothes that focus on one color scheme. Fodor's suggests packing neutrals like khaki and black.
If possible, pack toiletries in a separate bag. This will help prevent any spills or leaking bottles from soaking into your clothes. You can also pack items like shampoo and perfume in plastic sandwich bags, making certain all lids are tightly secured. If traveling by plane, the Transportation Security Administration still requires all carry-on liquids to be in separate 3.4 ounce containers, all within a one-quart plastic bag as of June 2011. The TSA advises that, if in doubt, a traveler's best bet is to place liquids in checked luggage rather than carry on bags.
Shoes can take up a lot of space in your suitcase. You can place shoes along the edges of the suitcase, framing the clothes, to maximize space. Additionally, pack socks and other small items by tucking them inside the shoes, which also helps you save on space. If possible, wear your bulkiest pair of shoes while traveling to save a bit of extra room in your luggage.
Good Housekeeping magazine suggests storing jewelry in the type of plastic containers used to separate pills according to the day of the week. Another idea is to store jewelry in plastic sandwich bags. For shorter trips, you might consider simply wearing the jewelry you plan on using throughout the trip. If you must bring valuable jewelry on your trip, Real Simple magazine advises wearing it during your travels in the event of your luggage being lost or stolen. Flashy and expensive jewelry can catch the eye of would-be thieves, however, so you may want to leave valuable jewels at home.
If you need to pack breakable items, wrap softer articles of clothing around them. Another idea is to place such items in a small cardboard box and surround it with packing material prior to placing it in the suitcase.
