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1 April 2012

We present the essential skills to master in order to perfect the art of packing.

Packing for a trip abroad can be considered an art form – one that is mastered over time (or put simply, the more you do it, the better you get). However, as someone who has a tendency to pack like-I’m-never-coming-home on even mere weekend escapes, every piece bit of advice helps. As we set our immediate sights on the glorious four-day Easter weekend ahead, there are some golden rules that will ensure your time is spent enjoyed, and not reaping the consequences of poorly-packed luggage.

1. Time. Chances are you’ve been planning your Easter escape since at least Queen’s Birthday so allow yourself some time to pack to ensure you don’t ‘panic pack’. Throwing your haul in a bag five minutes before you’re out the door will result in half your closet and hardly anything you actually need.

2. Equipment. Good packing starts with a decent bag to pack your prized possessions in. This is fundamentally the key point in separating the organised from the disastrous. Invest in a quality holdall that is sturdy enough to withstand being thrown around in a car or plane and never ever travel with anything that you cannot carry on your own accord (unless you’ve got an entourage to carry your stuff for you).

3. Restraint. This may seem glaringly obvious but only pack the bare essentials. Less is always more. We suspect most weekend getaways will have some sort of civilization located within a 5km radius. Therefore don’t pack like there isn’t. It’s a common mistake to overestimate one’s free time and spontaneity on a weekend away. Packing five books for a four-day weekend is not ambitious, it’s unnecessary. Taking heels away on a beach trip is not being prepared, it’s being ridiculous.  But always pack a sweater or jacket, as unexpected cold snap is always on the radar.

4. Technique. The proof is in the unpacking – clothes will inevitably end up creased but there are some ways you can avoid spending the entire weekend looking like you just rolled out of bed. Adopt the rolling technique (also a nifty trick for those serial over-packers who will inevitably fail at step three) and don’t pack linen, silk or dirty clothes into a weekend bag unless you plan on spending your time washing and ironing too. Pack in logical sections (underwear, toiletries, tops, bottoms and shoes etc) to optimise space and ensure all items can be located swiftly.

Image credit: Globe-trotter Luggage