When you’re ready to start your trip, you’re most likely bringing a suitcase (I hope).  Even if you’ve packed 800 times, there are probably some things that you’re doing wrong, and that’s okay!  I want to show you step by step on how you can pack the right way, and save space, and lower your suitcase weight.

#1 – You’ll want to make sure that you keep the wrinkle-prone items near the bottom, so that they don’t move around so much.  It’s best to place things such as t-shirts, and dresses on the bottom, followed by dresses, and pants near the top.

#2 – Don’t just throw your clothes in a suitcase.  You’re going to want to make sure that you fold your clothes.  By doing so, you’re going to be able to save space in your suitcase.  If you don’t fold, you will quickly find that it takes up a lot of unwanted space.

#3 – Things such as dresses, and nice dress shirts don’t need to be cramped inside, but rather throw them on the top.  If you lay them across your shirt, this should work out good enough for your packing.

#4 – Fold your pants in half.  You don’t want to fold them too many times, because you’re going to take them out, and find that they are going to be way too wrinkled.

#5 – Now, throw your shirts on the bottom, followed by your dress shirts, and skirts draped over, and you’ll want to use your pants as an anchor on top to weigh everything down.  Make sure everything is snug, so that it doesn’t move around.

#6 – Items such as your socks, and smaller items can be used as filler.  You can find little cracks to stuff these in.

#7 – If you’re going to bring shoes, make sure that you place them in a plastic bag, so that your other clothes don’t get dirty.

#8 – Place toiletry items in a bag as well.  Make sure your items such as your shampoos, and soaps are secured.  You won’t want these to start spilling out in your bag.  This can just lead to disaster!

If you have to, bring your toiletries, and shoes on a carry on bag.  Remember that if you’re bringing items in your toiletry bag, you’ll want to make sure that it’s under 3 ounces!

If you don’t have a carry on bag, be sure to check out a great post I wrote a few months back on the best carry on luggage bags on the market today.