Pro Packer: Fill That Black Suitcase Like It’s Your Job

Whether you’re about to board your first flight or have long been wedded to wanderlust, you have one major obstacle to overcome before you can leave for the airport: packing your suitcase. While we can’t help you decide which swimsuit to bring and which one to ditch, we can offer some ideas to help the packing process go a little more smoothly once you know what you’re bringing.

Though the contents of your bag may be a riot of color, you can sandwich the spectrum within your black suitcase if you keep this advice in mind.

Start with Shoes

Whether you’re sporting clunky boots or laid-back slippers, your shoes are likely to be the heaviest wardrobe item you plan to bring. Place them in the suitcase first, and if they don’t cover the whole bottom, orient them near the wheels so they’ll be near the ground once the suitcase is upright. This will keep them from crushing other clothing as gravity shifts the contents of your suitcase during your travels.

Roll it Up

Even if you lay the majority of your clothing in your suitcase one on top of another like sheets in a stack of paper, consider rolling at least part of your wardrobe to fit in the otherwise empty spaces left by bigger items. Roll small items like socks or athletic t-shirts that won’t be rendered unwearable by wrinkles, and stuff them into the hollow of your shoes to save space.

Don’t Cram

As your packing expertise grows and you learn to better maximize space, it can be tempting to try and stuff your suitcase to the brim with everything in your closet. Resist the temptation. Overpacking will make your suitcase unwieldy and your clothing more prone to wrinkling, adding unneeded stress to your trip away. Instead, pack carefully and intentionally, and if you’re caught without something you really need, just consider it a good excuse to go shopping.

Now that you know how to best fill that black suitcase, don’t wait—fling open your closet doors and get packing!

A sturdy black suitcase is a traveler’s best friend.

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