I'm not a terrible packer - I take pride in my packing skills passed down to me from my mom (she's got it DOWN, yo). However, I tend to overpack, and end up with a big pile of clothes that I never even touch while on vacation. Every. Time.
Hey.. a girl needs options.
But I can't do that for my upcoming trip to Mexico for two reasons:
1. I have layovers in both directions, and I don't trust the airlines to not lose my bag.
2. It costs like $75789 just to check one bag. I don't exaggerate.
So, I needed to figure out how to consolidate, be decisive, and pack for a 6 day trip in a bag that I would normally just put tons of shoes and flip flops in.
Sad but true.
SO I turned to my trusty friend Google, literally searched "how to pack a carry on to Mexico", and came across this little gem called 10 days in a Carry-On, written by a flight attendant. Next five pictures are from that article.
You guys, it's dumb how revolutionary this was to me. She was able to pack all of this..
Basically, instead of folding everything, you roll it up.
As you can see.. not fitting. At all.
I decided to test out this roll up method of packing, and I can totally vouch that it works like a charm. I was able to (over)pack:
1 pair of heels, 2 pairs of flip flops
a snorkel
4 pairs of shorts
a pair of gaucho pants
8 shirts of the tank/tee/tube/halter varieties
2 cardigans
3 dresses
6 bathing suits
a big floppy sunhat
several undergarments
..and still have enough room to put my toiletries and straightener on top!
Or, you know, a cat.
Anyone have any other fun packing tricks?? I could use 'em!
16 comments:
Awesome job!! My trick is to stuff underwear and socks (if you're going somewhere in the fall/winter) into your shoes/boots.
Kitty! I love this trick!
Okay amazing!! I am going on business in May to Alberta and I can only bring a carry-on (well I only want to) but I am the QUEEN of over packing. It's only 3 days but somehow I always think I need like every single thing I own. I will definitely try this out because I need to pack light.
I always roll everything up to pack before going on a trip (dad was a traveling salesman, learned from him) but the problem for me is coming home! Everything is all dirty and wrinkly and doesn't fit as well. :/
LOVE this post! I'm hoping to only take a carry on for my 3 day trip to BlogHer. That sounds so lame that I thought I might not be able to do it for 3 days and you can do it for a 10 day trip to another country.
I JUST DID THIS!!!! I repacked this wknd after OVERpacking the wknd before that! :P
I managed to get 7 days worth of hubby and my clothes/shoes/toiletries into 1 shipped bag and 2 carry-ons. Including hubby's tux!!! :)
HAVE SO MUCH FUN STEPH<3 We are off this Saturday! Can't wait!!!!!
Rolling instead of folding is a GREAT tip. Especially when packing jeans, which I have way too many pairs of!
Hope the cat has fun in mexico! ;)
Okay, the picture with the cat is TOO funny! And thanks for posting this trick--I'll need to remember this for our honeymoon!!
I ALWAYS roll my stuff! Great tip!
That's wonderful! I am definitely an overpacker I'll have to try this out the next time I travel!
LOL! KITTY! Take the kitty!! That rocks you were able to fit so much stuff!!
I swear by those roll-up vacuum sealed bags (like these: http://www.goinginstyle.com/Vacuum-Packing-Bags-for-Travel-P3213.aspx)
I'm pretty sure they're at Walmart or something. I have no idea where I got them. But they're amazing. I am an expert packer and this lets me pack so much more!
Wow, I definitely need this trick! I always overpack and have to check my luggage.
I am with Meg O.... I went on a 2 week trip to austrailia with church and we stopped in hawaii on the way there and back. Talk about needing away to stuff everything in to 1 check in and 1 large carry-on. My mom bought us these bags that you roll all of the air out so you don't need a vacuum or hairdryer to suck the air out! I stuff socks and underwear in to shoes or in the tiny spaces between the rolled up clothes!
Yes! I saw a very similar tutorial and used the tips and omg it is life-changing! One thing, I actually line my shoes around the sides of the suitcase instead of putting them on the bottom. Works really well! Have so much fun in Mexico!!!!
I've been rolling my stuff for years and I've become a pro at shoving things inside each other. For example, you can pack a few good pairs of socks in your tennis shoes!
A big thing for me is having room to bring things BACK. (I have a small obsession with beer glasses.) I often bring clothes from my "donate" pile to travel in and to sleep in. This way I can just leave an old free t-shirt in my hotel room and it gives me room for that cute sarong I bought on the trip. I also am cheap and am totally fine using the free stuff at the hotel (they have lots of backups, too - if its not out for free).
Also - I pack almost EVERYTHING in ziploc bags. I get some of the big, quart sized ones. I've had some bad situations with my luggage getting ruined: sometimes they make you check bags at the gate, or the luggage next to mine leaks some sort of gross substance. This also protects some if some of your liquids explode.
Also - remember that you can wear some of your heavier stuff on the flight. If you get any awesome jewelry - be a little gaudy and wear it! I'll keep things protected and make your luggage lighter!
Have so much fun!!!
I haven't looked back since discovering rolling clothes! Also, a LOT less wrinkles that way too! Great tips! :)
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