How to pack like a pro

So, it turns out summer vacation, Covid-style, is proving tricky to navigate. Five months into the global pandemic and we’re scrabbling to keep up with shifting guidelines, state quarantines and international travel restrictions. But one thing’s for sure: the spirit of vacation lives on. Whether you’re opting for a staycation or dipping your toe in international waters, our Fast 5 packing guide will take the sting out of the prep work (which is one less thing to worry about, right?!)

Visualize & plan

Overpacking is the most common mistake people make, so adopt our golden rule: pack outfits, not things. Our clothes go straight from a color-coded closet onto a color-coded rail, which makes it much easier to create a cohesive capsule wardrobe. The best way to ensure you only take what you need? Use a packing list. It encourages you to plan out your vacation must-brings before you start filling your suitcase. Really think through your trip. Hot vs cold? Car vs plane? House vs hotel? Oh, and don’t leave packing to the last minute. Enjoy the process of pulling together your dream outfits - it’s all part of the fun.

Pull & edit

Armed with your packing list, pull out your clothes by category. Workout, beach, loungewear, dresses etc. Then separate into outfits and lay them on your bed or floor so you get the overview. This will allow you to curate your ideal vacation wardrobe without sacrificing style or space (and avoids the ‘oops I’ve packed 15 white tees’ mistake). Be ruthless. If you’re struggling, follow the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 approach. For a weeklong trip, pack five tops, four dresses, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. Feeling overwhelmed? Focus on quality over quantity. And, for goodness sake, only pack items that make you feel like a million bucks. This is your vacay!

Organize & pack

We have a fool-proof system when it comes to packing a suitcase (obviously). Always start with your shoes. Stash them in dust-bags and lay them at the bottom of the suitcase as flat as possible, ready to pack clothes on top. With slides and sandals, slot one inside the other to maximize the space. Some people roll but we love to lay clothes as flat as possible. And, remember, delicate fabrics go on top, right at the last minute. When it comes to underwear, keep it simple. A set for each day, plus a couple of extras just in case. Taking a sun hat? Fill the crown with smaller items like underwear or swimwear to maintain the shape. And we swear by packing cubes, too. They’re great for organizing and compressing clothes. Our final pack hack? Place your dresses in the suitcase on slim hangers so they’re ready to hang the moment you arrive. Trust us, the joy of opening your suitcase and being able to unpack at lightning speed is addictive.

Travel-sized & double duty

Don’t take a vacation from looking your best because the TSA guidelines were created by a man with no skincare regime. If your best-loved products aren’t available in travel size, try refillable travel-sized bottles. Worried about space? Focus on multi-purpose products. Our double-duty favorites include BB Cream (even your complexion + add shimmer to your legs and collarbone), lip balm (hydrate your lip + tame your tresses + soften your cuticles) and micellar water (remove makeup + balance your skin). Pare down your make-up kit with a dual lip-cheek stain and a bronzer/highlighter that can double as an eyeshadow. Pack your clear case in the top left (the bottom when the suitcase is standing) to ensure ease of access and afford the most protection from any unfortunate cabin pressure spillage.

Relax & let loose

Even the perfect pack can result in creases! To ensure a wrinkle-free getaway, we recommend traveling with our favorite trusty side-kick, a portable and lightweight steamer. It will have you looking super-fresh no matter how long the journey. Pro tip: we always pack a gorgeous fabric spray to ensure we get at least two wears out of dry-clean-only garments. Oh, one final thing. Add a couple of drops of essential oils to a cotton pad and stash in your suitcase. That way, your clothes come out smelling divine the other end. Bon voyage!

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