It is always like this: either you take too much stuff in your suitcase or forget that fundamental item, like the toothbrush, for example, when you don't do both at the same time, right?
Therefore, we invite you today to put an end to this stage of the journey. How? With this post full of tips for you to learn how to pack your suitcase and thus enjoy the ride that is what really matters. Come on?
1. Advance and planning
Just like the trip, the time to pack should also be planned and, preferably, carried out in advance.
When you leave to pack your bag at the last minute, the chance of everything going wrong is much greater. So, take a quiet and peaceful time to organize everything you need to take. Open a wine, put on a song to play and try to make the most of this moment, after all it is already part of the trip.
Another important tip on advance and planning concerns the rules of the airline and the place where you will land. Consult the weight and the maximum number of bags you can take. Currently, the maximum weight allowed for suitcases on international flights is 64 kg (two suitcases of 32 kg each) or 23 kg for domestic flights, in addition, of course, hand luggage that cannot exceed 10 kg.
It is also worth checking the rules of the country where you will land. Most customs have restrictions and limits for the entry of medicines, perishable foods, alcoholic beverages and cigarettes. Therefore, it is always very important to know the entry conditions of each country before starting to pack for an international flight.
2. Summer or winter?
Another key point in organizing your bags is knowing the climate of the place you will visit. After all, it is based on the temperature that you will be able to define whether you are wearing a super jacket or tank tops.
Try to follow the weather forecast of your travel destination at least 20 days in advance, so it is possible to more accurately determine the climatic variations of the place.
Also find out if during the night the temperature drops more intensely, if the humidity of the air is high and how are the incidences of rain for the moment.
In addition to helping you organize your bags better, this information will also be very useful when planning your travel itinerary.
3. Travel itinerary
And speaking of travel itinerary, here we are to give you the third tip: make a travel itinerary and know in advance the places you will visit during your stay.
Is it a beach or a mountain? Going hiking, abseiling or some adventure sport? Do you have a chic dinner to go to? Do you intend to walk the streets a lot?
All of this information also gives you important tips on what to pack. If your schedule includes a lot of outdoor activities and amidst nature what do you need a high jump for? Or, on the contrary, if you want to go to parties, dinners, museums and art galleries, it is worth betting on more formal and elegant pieces.
4. Assemble the looks
This is one of those golden tips we have selected for you. Assembling the looks of the trip will save you time and mental effort when deciding what to use, not to mention, of course, in the space you will save.
Therefore, the idea here is simple: for short trips, for a weekend, for example, bet on daily looks based on the tips that we passed previously, such as the script and the weather.
For longer trips, more than a week, the tip is to bet on basic pieces and wild cards that combine well with each other. Jeans are the best example, the garment can be used for a dinner and an outdoor walk. That black T-shirt can be combined with jeans, shorts and a skirt.
For shoes, the tip is to put in the suitcase those that you are most used to wearing. To want to try a new shoe on the trip is to risk having your feet full of blisters. Prefer sneakers, sneakers and comfortable sandals. For cold places, bring a warm pair of boots. Have heels, a pointed toe and others like leave to wear when you return home.
Also avoid taking clothes that are too patterned and difficult to match. And then you can ask: "but will the looks not be too dull?" Because this is where the secret lives: abuse of accessories and smaller pieces, but that are capable of making a difference, such as scarves, headbands, necklaces and vests.
For very cold destinations, with temperatures below 10ºC, choose thermal clothes, in addition to saving space in the suitcase, they are still able to keep you warmer than a lot of layers of blouses.
Another tip that is worth following is, if possible, use on the day of your trip, at the airport, the pieces you want to take, but which are heavier and more bulky, such as jeans, high boots and jackets.
You can already see that the winter bag will always be bigger and heavier, right?
5. Check List
A checklist can be your lifeline when packing your suitcase, especially if you are the type who always thinks you are forgetting something.
Write down everything you need to take, in a list format, from clothes and shoes to medicines, makeup, documents and accessories.
Put everything on the bed or other surface and go ticking everything you've already packed.
The following is a suggested checklist for travel bags. You just need to customize according to your need, check out:
- T-shirts;
- Blouses;
- Pants;
- Dresses;
- Skirts;
- Swimwear;
- Pajamas;
- Underwear;
- Socks;
- Shoes and sneakers;
- Slippers;
- Shampoo and conditioner;
- Moisturizer;
- Perfume;
- Soap;
- Deodorant;
- Make up;
- Hair accessories;
- Brush and toothpaste;
- Hairbrush;
- Jewelry and costume jewelery;
- Medicines.
Pay special attention to medications. In some destinations, certain types of medicine can only be sold with a prescription, such as antiallergic, for example. So, prevent yourself from an allergic crisis by already taking the medicine in your suitcase. Take advantage and also add an antipyretic (a fever will beat), an analgesic (if a headache resolves to appear) and an antacid (in case of stomach pain). Don't forget those you can't do without, including a prescription.
6. Preview before saving
You already saw that it will be hot on the day of the trip, that you will take long walks and you will need stripped looks. You also made the check list, right? Then it was time to put everything (EVERYTHING) on the bed and calmly analyze all the items.
Are you really going to take it? Put it in your bag and cross off the list. When you view the pieces it is easier to see if you are taking too much or too little, and to notice if the combinations are really appropriate.
7. Rollers or layers?
When packing everything in the suitcase, there is the question: roll it up or make layers? You have to think that the rolls are the best option, as they save space and prevent the pieces from being dented. Layered clothing fans, on the other hand, believe that this is the best type of organization.
Feel free to pack your suitcase any way you like. Our tip here is just that you put the heavier and more bulky pieces folded in the bottom of the suitcase and the lighter and smaller ones on top, in the shape of a roll.
Shoes can be placed on the side of the suitcase and inside you can store your socks.
8. Do you really need this?
While packing, consider whether you really need all the pieces. A good example is bath towels. Most hotels and hostels offer free towels for guests, while others charge an extra fee for these items. Check first.
Also consider the need to bring hair dryers and flat irons, especially for international travel, since there is a great possibility that your appliance plug will not fit with the outlet, because the electrical standards are very different in other countries . It is worth checking if the hotel offers hair dryers for guests.
9. Vials, sachets and other “inhos”
Anything you can reduce and put in smaller packages is worth it. Prioritize jars and bottle kits to store shampoo, conditioner, skin creams and soap, for example. Perfumes can also be stored in smaller packaging.
Bags are another interesting way to free up space in the suitcase and make it more organized and functional. Instead of putting everything in a single bag, consider using a bag for hygiene products, one for makeup and one for medicines. Also remember to put an empty bag to store your dirty clothes.
10. Leave a breather in the suitcase
It is not because there is a space left in your suitcase that you need to fill it. Remember that it is natural to bring new things from the trip. Can you imagine buying something super original and different just because you don't have space in your suitcase?
So always try to prioritize the experience of your trip and not luggage.
11. Suitcase for children
The children's bag always raises doubts. No daddy and mommy will want to sin because of the lack and they end up sinning by the excess. They take too many clothes and almost never use them. Therefore, the tip to pack the children's bags is always to put an extra change of clothes for every two looks, after all, children drop things, jump, roll on the floor and most likely the clothes will not stand a new ride.
Also pack a light cardigan in the suitcase, even if the temperature in the location indicates sun and heat. Just as it is good to leave a shirt and shorts on, despite the cold weather forecast. You never know, do you?
In fact, the tip above serves very well for adults too.
And always, always, prioritize comfortable clothes for children when traveling. They should, above all, enjoy the place and not just pose for pictures, okay?
12. Value hand luggage
Hand luggage is not always valued as it should be. Despite its meager 10 kg, know that you can carry much more in it than you think. In addition to documents, money and valuables, such as jewelry and electronic devices, hand luggage can also store some extra pieces of clothing, makeup kit and accessories. Think of that little suitcase more carefully.
13. Identify the suitcase
Finally and equally important is to identify the suitcase. After everything is properly organized and tidy, make the correct identification using a tag. Write down your full name, phone number and address. This makes it much easier in the event of a loss.
It is also important to differentiate your suitcase to make it easier to locate it on the airport conveyor belt. Glue stickers and use a flashy color tape, for example.
Did you write down all the tips? So now just run and pack your suitcase. Enjoy this moment!
