More On Holiday Packing

Packing a Suitcase

When packing a traditional suitcase, overlap garments. This technique prevents clothes from wrinkling and shifting during travel. Place garments in plastic dry-cleaning bags and fold them in overlapping layers. Lay part of the garment—the upper half of a pair of pants, for example—in the suitcase horizontally, allowing the legs to drape over the side; lay the upper half of a shirt over it vertically. Fold the bottom of the pants over the sweater, then the bottom of the sweater over the pants, so that each fold is cushioned by the other garment. Place shoes in fabric shoe bags or plastic bags, stuff them with socks or lingerie, and place them and any other heavy items along the hinges. Fill the edges of the suitcase with rolled T-shirts, socks, lingerie, and accessories.

Packing a Duffel Bag

It's important to pack unstructured bags snugly, to keep the contents from shifting. Line the bottom of the bag with heavy items—like books and shoes in shoe bags. Roll casual clothes—jeans, T-shirts, sweatsuits—to fit a lot into a tight space. Blouses and sweaters should be folded once across the middle and laid flat in a layer, either across the top or middle of the bag. Pack your most delicate clothes on top, and layer a raincoat or jacket between them and the zipper. Always pack a soft duffel on a hard surface to help distribute the weight evenly, and make sure to fill the corners completely. Stuff it!

Packing Cosmetic Bags

I always keep travel size essentials in my toiletries bag to make it a little easier and faster. Transfer liquid cosmetics to small plastic travel bottles. To avoid leaks caused by pressure changes in flight, fill bottles partway, then squeeze out excess air. As a precaution, always double bag your toiletries, first in a cosmetics bag, and then a large zipper-seal plastic bag. Remember, never pack toiletries with your clothes; a single spill can ruin your clothes.