The fold-and-stack method of packing is the most basic and traditional, but not the most efficient. Within this method packers simply fold clothes as if they were going into a dresser drawer and place them, layer by layer, into a suitcase. This method works well for keeping wrinkles out of clothing if you can stack them neatly with creases. Place a layer of tissue paper or dry-cleaner plastic between folds to reduce the likelihood of wrinkles. This method does not maximize suitcase space.
Roll clothes into tight, compact spirals to maximize suitcase space. While this method packs clothes as tightly as possible, it works best with material that does not wrinkle easily, such as denim. Smooth out wrinkles as you roll. For clothing that more easily wrinkles, such as trousers, place flat at the bottom of the bag. Let trouser legs hang over the side. Place rolled clothes on top of the trousers. Then fold the trouser legs back over the rolled clothes. In this way the trousers stay flat and wrinkle free while you maximize your suitcase space.
The bundling method is the best way to avoid wrinkles for all your packed items while maximizing space. Lay the heaviest clothes flat on a bed or floor. Then lay your less heavy clothing items over top, laying them flat and smoothing out wrinkles. Place smaller items like socks and underwear in the middle. When it's all there, bend the layers of clothing over themselves without hard creases. Place the bundled package in a suitcase.
The vacuum-packing method is hailed for fitting a maximum amount of clothing into a tight space. To vacuum pack, place clothes in a plastic bag, then suck the air out with a vacuum to produce a tight, compact case. There are many commercial compression kits available to facilitate this method, but a plastic bag and a vacuum cleaner work as a do-it-yourself option. Consider, however, that vacuum-packed clothes arrive wrinkled. In addition, putting stack after stack of vacuum-packed clothing into a suitcase makes it heavy. You'll also need to consider if you'll be able to vacuum-pack your clothes for the trip home. Unless you bring a vacuum with you, probably not. This method is more useful for packing clothes for a household move than for a vacation.
Place heavy items, such as shoe, books and toiletries, at the bottom of your luggage bag to avoid squishing your neatly-packed items.
Put small items, such as jewelry, socks or underwear, into shoes to save space.
