6 Methods for Packing Clothes For Travel

It’s all about personal preference when it boils down to packing clothes for travel. Would you rather fit more clothes into your bag or make sure they don’t come out wrinkled? Does the organization of your packing bother you?

Before you start packing, you might be wondering: what’s the best way to fold your clothes lightly and also avoid wrinkling?

A lot of travelers like you have been asking this for a long time and luckily we’ve gotten some answers just for you. This article covers a few simple methods for packing clothes for travel.

Keep reading to learn and understand how to pack in an organized way and still avoid wrinkling your clothes.

Methods Of Packing Clothes For Travel

1. Rolling Your Clothes

This technique of packing your clothes will save you a lot of space and enable you to pack a lot. If you like to travel light and pack minimally, then this technique is perfect for you.

Of course, a wrinkle or two is inevitable with more delicate clothes, but it’s a small price to pay considering how much it allows you to bring.

Tips For Rolling Your Clothes

1. You should roll casual clothes and synthetic fabrics to avoid wrinkles and save space.
2. You can use this method for casual clothing like T-shirts, shorts, underwear and socks, as well as denim, knits, and synthetic fabrics like spandex.
3. Rolling is especially good for packing duffel bags or backpacks since it’s easier to squeeze rolled items into small nooks and crannies in these types of bags.
4. Rolling isn’t recommended for items made from natural fabrics, like cotton or silk, as they are prone to wrinkles.
5. Some prefer to vacuum-pack their rolled clothes to save even more space. However, this technique is not advisable because it will cause bad wrinkling of your clothes.
6. Store delicate items like lingerie and stockings in mesh laundry bags. That way, an airport inspector can see inside the mesh bag without handling these items.
7. Since you need to always access your underwear, you should place rolled pyjamas and a few pairs of underwear in an accessible spot, like the top of your bag, so you won’t have to disorganize your whole bag to get to them.

How to Roll Your Clothes

1. When it comes to jackets and shirts,  the method of rolling them up is similar. Turn the bottom of the item inside out. Then fold the sleeves across the middle and fold the article three times, equally. Flip it over and roll it tightly. Then, attach the folded bottom to the roll.
2. Rolling T-shirts and blouses: Lay your garment face-up on a flat surface. Fold the bottom 3 inches (7.5 cm) of the garment inside out to create a “cuff.” Fold the sleeves in, then roll the garment tightly from top to bottom until you reach the cuff you made. Pull the cuff over and around the roll to keep it from unravelling. As you roll, press and slide your hands across the fabric to smooth out any wrinkles.
3. Place your rolled T-shirts together in a plastic zip bag. This will help you find them faster and easier when you’re unpacking and prevent them from getting mixed up with other clothing items.
4. For jeans, trousers, and shorts, turn the top inside out. Put the legs on each other and flip the item over. Then make a tight roll and attach the folded top to it.

2. The Bundling Method

This method is similar to the wrapping method in that bundling is accomplished by folding longer items around smaller ones.

If you want to avoid creasing as much as possible, then this is the best option for you. It will save you a lot of space, and it’s perfect if you have a lot of clothes of different sizes. However, there’s a disadvantage, and this is that the clothes won’t be easily accessible during the trip. You must dismantle the whole bundle to get it if you want to take something from the inner layers.

Furthermore, bundling is done by the outfit. So if you plan to wear a specific shirt with a specific pair of pants, you bundle them together.

You should start with socks and underwear, then wrap the shirt, and then the pants.   With this method, each outfit stays together and is accessible. It’s perfect for speedy wardrobe changes, like transitioning from meeting clothes to cocktail attire. You can also go the extra step and put the completed bundle in a clear plastic bag, making sure to remove all the air before sealing. Keep in mind that a garment bag, or one of our wardrobe bags, is best for longer garments.

How to Do It:

1. Firstly, have the packing order in mind: start with larger and bulkier stuff such as jackets, long sleeves, and trousers, then continue with smaller items such as T-shirts, shorts, etc. Put your underwear in a separate packing cube or bag.
2. Spread your jacket on a flat surface and add another similar item in the opposite direction. Arrange the sleeves to cover each other. Keep adding items alternately. When it comes to trousers, fold them in half and put them along the sleeves. Pack from larger items to smaller ones.
3. Put the bag with underwear in the middle to prevent the creasing. Then, roll every layer tightly over the box. Once you roll all the layers, you’ll have one compact bundle ready to fit into your bag.

3. The Wrapping Method

This method works best with longer, fancier garments like dresses and pants.

How to Do It :

1. First, you pick your core item. It should be firm but still somewhat soft, measuring around ​​11 inches by 16 inches. Stuff that with soft, small items like socks and underwear.
2. Put the core to the side, then grab all the clothes you plan to bring with you. On a large flat surface like a bed or table, lay your clothes flat, one on top of the other, in this order: jackets on the bottom, longer skirts or dresses, long-sleeved shirts, short-sleeved shirts, trousers or slacks, sweaters and knits, and finally shorts. As you layer each item, be sure you smooth out all the wrinkles before putting another piece on top of it.
3. For pants and longer items, lay them out horizontally, alternating which side the waistband is on (either the left or right).
4. For shirts, lay them vertically, alternating the top of the shirt between bottom and top. You want the things that are most likely to wrinkle on the outermost section of the bundle when you wrap it, so they are closer to the top of your pile. Remember also to close all the fasteners on your clothing, so zippers, buttons and snaps should be done. Typically, your jacket should be placed face-down, so the front of it is on the flat surface rather than facing up—but that’s mostly for tailored jackets and blazers.
5. Place your core item in the middle of the pile and wrap each piece around it one at a time (do not interwrap). Sleeves should be wrapped across the bundle in the natural direction the sleeve falls. Wrap each item firmly, but not so firm or taut that you’re stretching the material.

4. The Packing Cube  Method

Unlike the packing techniques already discussed, packing cubes won’t necessarily save you space, but they can help you keep your clothing organized. Not to mention, they can be used in combination with other methods. For example, you can bundle your clothing but then put them into a packing cube. The best packing methods are combined and it makes it much easier to keep your outfits together.

5. The Compression Pack Method

If you are planning to carry bulky items, then this method is perfect for you.

Simply put your items in a bag and roll it to get the air out. Along with saving space, this method helps to keep your clothing wrinkle-free if done correctly. But here’s the thing: While these bags can be effective, they can also be a bit tricky to roll, especially for bulky items. With that in mind, you may have to invest in several bags, as it’s likely that you’ll only be able to fit one or two items in each pack.

6. Folding Your Clothes

Folding clothes is by far the most common tactic out there. It’s not different from packing your clothes into the wardrobe.

However, it doesn’t save much space, but it’s still a good option if you’re not concerned about having limited space.

Benefits Of Folding Your Clothes

1. One benefit to folding your clothes is that you can move them directly to your wardrobe once you get to your accommodation.
2. Another advantage is that you can prepare different sets for different days and occasions, and pack them together.

How to Do It:

1. If the item has sleeves, fold them in the middle.
2. Then fold it in half vertically.
3. After that, fold three times, starting with the bottom, and make a rectangle.
4. Jeans are even simpler: put the trousers legs over each other, then fold them twice in half.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the technique you decide to choose when you’re packing your clothes for travel is dependent on you. Choose any that suits your personality and the one with which you are fully comfortable.