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How to pack light with a partner
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Once upon a time I was a college freshman, setting off to see the world (Oxford, England really) on a six-week study abroad course. I had packed the largest suitcase possible in order to fit in outfits for class, weekly formal dinners with the program students, tea with the Queen… I thought of all the plausible scenarios. What I hadn’t considered was who would carry my bag around once I arrived. I’ll never forget struggling with that bag on stairs or the dirty looks I received on the crowded Underground. Flash forward exactly ten years and I was the one laughing. I was in Maui for my honeymoon, feeling carefree with my miniscule carry-on (and no, I did not pack only bikinis) as I noticed a whole bunch of other honeymooners with a whole bunch of baggage. This article was inspired by them, and by the rising costs of checked luggage.
1) Divvy up toiletries between your bags. Take advantage of having a travel partner and share some items so you don’t have to take two of everything. (Ex.: shower gel, shampoo, contact solution, toothpaste, sunscreen). You can also decide that whoever has the most room packs all shared items.
2) Organize like items. I use packing cubes and keep all shirts together, and underwear and socks together. Plastic bags can work as well.
3) Roll your clothes. Everything lightweight, such as t-shirts, skirts, dresses, and even polo shirts can be rolled so that they pack easier. To do so, fold shirts in half and roll from the bottom up. Twist dresses and skirts and fold in half to prevent wrinkles.
4) Put bulky items in first. I usually fold jeans and pants just once and place them as flat as possible in the bottom of my suitcase. Next I put down my packing cubes. Then I layer in items like shoes (tip: squeeze in some extra socks first), or cosmetic cases.
5) Pack accessories last. My dad has a rule that you can always fit in one more thing. I’ve been known to cram belts, jewelry (tip: store small items in an old Altoids tin or plastic bag), and hats when no one thought they’d fit.
6) Pack with your partner. This makes it easier to see what will fit in whose bag. It may take some sorting later, but it works great if one person ends up with a lot of extra room.
Don’t forget to wear the bulkiest clothes you want to take (sneakers instead of flip-flops, jeans in lieu of shorts, etc.)!
Packing checklists:
http://upl.codeq.info/
http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing/
http://www.onebag.com/checklist.html
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