VACATION-READY PACKING: SMART TIPS TO SAVE SPACE

Last month, I helped my client Annabel* pack for a month-long trip. I arrived at her house to find her suitcase overflowing with piles of folded shirts, pants, and accessories and multiple bags of toiletries. “I’m going to need at least two suitcases,” said Annabel.

My Tetris-trained mind took note of the empty pockets of space between the piles. “You know,” I said, “if we rolled all the clothes instead of folding, I’m sure we could fit it all in this one suitcase. It’s pretty big.”

Annabel was game to try, so she let me take everything out of the suitcase and re-pack it. Here’s my packing method.

WHY ROLLING BEATS FOLDING
One of the simplest, yet most effective, packing hacks is rolling your clothes instead of folding them. Rolling compresses items like t-shirts, pants, and dresses into tight, space-saving cylinders that fit neatly into your luggage. This method not only saves space but also reduces wrinkles, keeping your outfits looking fresh.

HOW TO ROLL YOUR CLOTHES
Now don’t just grab a t-shirt and start rolling from the collar down. There are some tricks of the trade you need to know first! Each type of clothing gets rolled in a specific way.

• Shirts: Lay the shirt flat with the front side up. Fold into thirds (so you don’t get a crease down the middle) and fold the sleeves back along the length of the shirt. Roll tightly from the bottom to the collar.
• Sweaters: Lay the sweater flat with the front side up. Fold the sides in toward the middle so they just touch but don’t overlap. This reduces bulk. Fold the sleeves down along the sides. Roll gently from the bottom to the collar.
• Pants, Leggings, and Jeans: Lay flat and fold in half with the back facing out. Fold in half lengthwise, bringing the ankles up to just below the waistband. Roll tightly from the fold up to the waistband.
• Skirts: Lay the skirt flat with the front side up. Fold narrow skirts in half lengthwise, full skirts into thirds. Roll tightly from the waistband to the bottom.
• Dresses: Lay the dress flat with the front side up. Fold into thirds and fold the sleeves down the length of the dress. Fold in half and then roll from the fold line up to the top.
• Socks: Lay one sock on top of the other. Roll from the toe to the top. Fold the top of one sock down over the rolled-up sock to create a bundle.
• Underwear: Lay underwear flat with back side up. Fold about 1.5”-2” of the top down. Flip the underwear over, keeping the fold, and fold it into thirds. Roll the bottom up to the top, then flip the folded edge down over the roll to secure the bundle.
  
  

PACKING THE SUITCASE
Now that you have all your clothes in tight little rolls, arrange them side by side in your suitcase. Stack them like logs for easy access.

Balance the weight in the suitcase by putting the heavier clothes (e.g. jeans) at the bottom and lighter clothes toward the top.

Pro tip: Use packing cubes to group rolled clothes by category (e.g., tops, bottoms, activewear). Cubes keep everything organized and compress items even further.

Stuff shoes with socks. Your shoes take up the most real estate in your luggage so don’t neglect the space inside them. Socks are the perfect shoe stuffers, but accessories also work well. This maximizes space and helps your shoes maintain their shape during travel. Position shoes along the edges of your suitcase.

Fill bras with underwear. To maintain the curve of your bras, nestle rolled underwear into the cups to fill the space.

Bonus tip: Throw a gallon ziplock bag into your suitcase for laundry or in case you have to bring home a wet bathing suit.

USE EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY
Beyond rolling clothes and stuffing small items into larger ones, look for other ways to utilize small spaces in your luggage.

Tuck small items like chargers, earbuds, or jewelry into side pockets or gaps between clothes.

Use a slim pouch for documents (passports, tickets) to keep them flat and accessible.

Compress bulkier items like jackets into their sleeves or hoods to keep them small.

Consider your travel outfit. Wear your chunkiest shoes and bulkiest layers onto the plane so they don’t take up any space in your suitcase.

PACK SMART WITHOUT SACRIFICING STYLE
Packing smart doesn’t mean sacrificing style or comfort—it’s about being intentional with your space. I’m happy to say that I easily got Annabel into one suitcase that she could manage by herself.

By rolling your clothes and making the most of every square inch of your suitcase, you’ll travel lighter and arrive ready for adventure. Try these tips on your next trip, and let me know how they work for you!

Ready to Pack Like a Pro? Download my free Packing Checklist to stay organized and ensure you never forget an essential again. Happy travels!

Have a packing tip that’s worked wonders for you? Share it in the comments below!

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*Name changed to protect the disorganized.