Tips to prepare your luggage (2024)

FAQs

Tips to prepare your luggage? ›

Its version of the 5-4-3-2-1 method includes "five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit," though like the Times this formula allows the wiggle room to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.

Its version of the 5-4-3-2-1 method includes "five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two shoes (a practical pair and a nice pair), and one swimsuit," though like the Times this formula allows the wiggle room to swap out accessories based on your destination and type of travel.

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

The 333 method is simple: Pack three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes, then mix and match for at least nine different outfits or 27 different looks if you're counting the various shoe options, too.

Consider the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule

One general guideline is to pack one hat, two pairs of shoes, three bottoms, four tops (short or long-sleeve or outer layer), five pairs of socks, six pairs of underwear. This should be enough to last you for two weeks.

Iron Before You Pack

This goes without saying, but ironing or dry cleaning your formal wear before packing will go a long way in helping your clothes stay wrinkle-free.

By combining folding, rolling and using packing cubes, you get the best of all worlds. Folding button-downs, jeans, formal dresses and dress pants allows you to prevent wrinkles. Rolling the rest of your clothes helps you make the most of the gaps in your suitcase that folding can leave.

Most suitcases these days have a zipper in the lining, sometimes hidden by having the pull to the inside. This isn't just an incredibly obvious place to hide your valuables; it allows luggage repair people to get at the luggage frame without ripping up the lining.

Start with the longest pieces first, placing them in the bottom of the suitcase with the ends hanging over the sides of the case. Then place smaller items on top of those. Keep layering until you've packed everything you need.

The 10 rules of packing

The Golden Rule: Take half of the clothes you were planning to bring and twice the money. I cannot stress how true this is. 2. Take only what you can fit in a carry on.

What is the 54321 winter packing list? ›

This viral hack contends that all one needs to pack on any given trip are five tops, four bottoms, three pairs of shoes, two (dresses or handbags), and one each of small accessories. Items will vary depending upon location but the strategy is a sound one. Less is more!

So which technique should you use? Your packing technique of choice will very much depend on your priorities. Vertical folding is the best compromise for those short on time, while bundling is the ultimate technique if you have an hour or two at your disposal and want to maximize space without creating wrinkles.

For a long weekend, Jen Rubio of Away Travel goes by the “54321” rule: “You can always get at least five great outfits from four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes, and [if you're a woman] one dress.” For a longer trip (one to two weeks), add a few tops and maybe another dress or pair of shoes if there's a fancier ...

Also called the Sudoku method, the 3 x 3 grid method is used to change the way you dress (or pack!) by optimizing your outfit possibilities with a little creative mixing and matching. This process not only provides freedom in its simplicity but is also valuable for uncovering the versatility of your closet.