The KLM ground staff will strike on Saturday. This means, among other things, that suitcases cannot be loaded into the baggage hold. NU.nl asked experts how to make smarter choices when packing, so that everything fits in a carry-on suitcase.
Do you always quickly throw some clothes in your suitcase the night before and then find out on vacation that you forgot your swimwear? “It may sound crazy, but packing your suitcase starts with tidying up your wardrobe,” says decluttering coach Maaike Fris.
“This ultimately ensures that only your favorite items remain.” She suggests taking everything out of the closet and making different stacks of shirts, pants, dresses, etc. “Choose three different pieces of clothing per category and ask yourself with each pair of pants or shirt whether it really makes you happy.”
Once you’ve done that, you can more easily determine which clothing combinations you want to take with you. Because by making clothing combinations and putting together outfits in advance, the chance is greater that you will pack less clothing, half of which you won’t wear anyway, say professional declutterers Mette and Linda to NU.nl.
To prevent further packing stress, Fris suggests that after tidying up your wardrobe, it can also be useful to work with a packing list. This can be done very easily with the notes app on your phone, she says. “Then you can not only check off what you have already packed, but also reuse this personal checklist for a next vacation.”
Make it clear
She says it can help to use that packing list to make it clear what you want to take with you per category. Think of clothing, bath products, care products and relaxation. Linda and Mette suggest looking at what is already available in the apartment or Airbnb before you start with this list. “Maybe there is already a hair dryer. Then you don’t have to bring it with you.”
Then it’s time to pack. “Dividing your suitcase by category provides more clarity and space,” says Fris. “So put your shoes with your shoes, your clothes with your clothes. And store your electronics together, just like your care products.” A handy way to do that is to use suitcase organizers or packing cubes, according to her.
How do you ultimately get your clothes in the best way? By rolling, Mette and Linda think. “That saves space.” Storing standing up is also possible, Fris suggests. “Fold clothing so that they become packages that you can put behind each other. By storing standing up, you can see what you need at a glance. And the most beautiful thing: the depth of your suitcase is perfect for that.”
Not everything has to come along
Is your suitcase still not closing? Perhaps the most important thing to do: make choices. “Taking things with you for safety often gives a safe feeling, because suppose you still need your travel iron. Try to be realistic when you have these kinds of thoughts,” says Fris.
Finally, Linde and Mette suggest keeping samples of, for example, shampoo. And don’t worry, they say, there is nothing wrong if it turns out on vacation that you have not brought something that you need. Many products are simply available at the destination. Whether that is in a Swiss mountain village or along a Spanish boulevard.