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Living Out of A Suitcase
Have you ever arrived at a business meeting looking like you slept in your suit, or shown up at an out-of-town wedding with your beautiful dress creased and crumpled? You don't have to pack a heavy iron to look your best on the road - a few simple tips can help keep you organized and send those wrinkles packing!
How To Pack Like the Pros
Wrinkling is caused both by under packing (which allows clothes to shift) and by over packing (which squishes clothes). To avoid wrinkles, pack lightly but tightly.
Use bags inside bags. For clothes that don't wrinkle easily, evacuate the air to compress them into the least space. (Check out the Pack-It Compressor! It gets almost all the air out of your suitcase).
For garments that are more prone to wrinkles, use Packfolio organizers to keep them crisp and fresh, and avoid a cluttered jumble in your suitcase. Fold clothing uniformly using the special folding board, then insert the stack inside the case, zip closed, and stash in your suitcase. When you arrive, just place the Packfolio in a dresser drawer.
Roll clothes such as socks, underwear, and shorts and place them in Packing Cubes, creating compact packages for wedging around the edges of your suitcase. To roll a T-shirt, lay it face down on a flat surface, fold the sleeves inward, and roll up from the bottom. For non-wrinkling pants, start with the cuff end and roll upward. Packing cubes are also perfect for storing smaller items that might be easily lost in your bag.
To guard against dirt, pack shoes inside Shoe Bags. Shoe bags not only keep your footwear from soiling your clothing, they also keep your shoes from getting scratched and scuffed.
Keep liquids from leaking. Remove enough liquid from each container to leave about a half inch of empty space. This will allow the liquid to respond to changing cabin pressure without bursting the container. Place the containers in Spill Proof Pouches or Dry Cases.
Protect your sensitive electronics and fragile souvenirs from the "bumps in the road". Surround them with socks and tees, or keep them protected and organized in Padded Packing Cubes.
Plan your travel wardrobe around a basic color, and choose lightweight, space-saving fabrics, and reserve your heaviest items to wear on-board the airplane.
It's in the Bag
1. Place the closed suitcase on the bed, and lay out your clothes and other items for packing.
2. In the outside pockets, insert things you'll want handy: novel, guidebooks, maps, etc.
3. Open the suitcase. Place smaller items like jewelry case, toiletry bag and pouches in the interior pockets. Extend your belt along the inside walls. Place your heaviest items (shoes, clothes steamer, etc.) along the edge near the wheels. (The goal is to keep heavy items from shifting every time you pick up or roll the suitcase.) If your luggage is designed with special compartments that accommodate your packing organizers, place them in the appropriate pockets. If not, arrange your filled Packfolios, cubes and compressors in the middle area.
Your suitcase is now organized, and will stay that way through security inspection, and for the duration of your trip. For more packing ideas and detailed information on planning your travel wardrobe, please see our article Seven Days and One Carry-on Bag.
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Related
Products:
Digital Luggage Scale
Flat-Pack Organizer
25" Load Warrior LT
Small Packfolio
Pack-It® Compressor
Shoe Bags
Large Dry Case
Wrinkle-Free Shirt
Microsuede Travel Suit
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