Level up your summer getaway packing game

When it comes to packing for a holiday, it’s easy to fall into one of two categories: getting carried away and overpacking, or throwing a jumble of mismatched pieces in at the last minute and finding yourself at the shops during your vacation trying to buy what you left behind. To help you hit the sweet spot of bringing just what you need (and avoiding those pesky extra baggage charges), read on.

1. Plan by outfits

Few of us have a harmonious wardrobe where every piece matches together. This is why, instead of throwing in a range of individual garments, think in outfits. Start by pulling out a key holiday piece, and then think about what you’ll need to pair with it. Do this with every piece you pack, and you’ll find accessories and footwear will start doubling or tripling up. If there’s a garment that doesn’t go with the core of the shoes and accessories you’re packing, consider leaving it behind.

2. Go digital on reading materials

A big part of holiday packing that’s also easily the heaviest? Reading materials. Most of us go into a holiday with an ambitious reading list of books we’ve been meaning to get around to starting or finishing for years. Instead of throwing seven heavy novels or magazines into your suitcase, this is the time to load them up on an eBook reader.

3. Opt for mini beauty saviors

Throwing your entire skincare and hair arsenal into your suitcase is the easiest way to waste weight and space, but most of us don’t want to skimp on our usual beauty routines just because we’re not at home. That’s why travel-sized versions of your favorite products are game changers. If the products you use don’t come in minis, you can create your own by buying empty travel-sized beauty containers and transferring them over yourself. Keep them in a plastic beauty case, or pop them in a ziplock bag before putting them in your toiletries bag, so if spillage does happen it won’t leak onto your clothes.

4. Check the weather

We usually have an idea in our head of what the weather at our destination is going to be like, but if you don’t check the forecast it’s easy to be off by several degrees, and be met with more rain, wind, or snow than anticipated. Not only can it put a damper on your trip (pun intended), but it can also make a lot of the clothing you packed unwearable. Make sure to check the forecast, and pack for the weather you’re actually heading into, not the weather you’re hoping for.

5. Pack cleverly

Start with your bulky, heavy items — footwear, hair styling tools — at the bottom of your suitcase. Tuck undergarments and other small items in between this bottom layer of items to maximize space. When it comes to which method of packing clothing to opt for, it depends on your needs. Rolling will save the most space, but if you’re more concerned about order, fold your garments on top of each other. You can even do this with coat hangers in place so you can lift them straight into your vacation room’s closet.