We're going on holiday and bringing... less! Fewer belongings mean less lugging of suitcases and bags, less chance of losing something, and less washing when you get home. And the great thing is: you really don't have to miss out on anything on holiday. Saskia asked her Instagram community for their smartest packing tips. Here are the best ones.!
Tips to pack your suitcase smartly
Taking fewer items on holiday has many advantages, and that's not even mentioning the time you save packing. You'll have less to lug around with suitcases and bags, are less likely to lose anything, and you'll be pleased with a lighter suitcase when you get home too. Still, it remains difficult to leave things behind. Because what if you just need it? And *poof*, that extra pair of underwear or that extra warm jumper still ends up in the suitcase, because you never know, do you? Or those trainers and that sports outfit, because of course you'll continue to exercise on holiday. Right? And that washbag is also looking rather full. You don't want to think about getting ill on holiday and not having your essential medication with you. So that's coming too. Just like your favourite shampoo, because shampoo abroad is just different. Fortunately, it can be done differently. We asked our followers for their best packing tips. Really great, with some super surprising ideas that you (bet you?) haven't heard before. Here they are!
Packing your suitcase: the reverse packing list
Anyone who is a little organised will surely have a packing list for their holiday. Some followers of thegreenlist.nl They even have multiple lists: one for the summer holidays, one for winter sports, and one for camping. We already think that’s quite organised. But the real next level is the reverse packing list. Instead of just writing down what you want to take beforehand, you make a list as you pack of everything that actually goes into the suitcase. Put each item on the list separately. So not ‘underwear’, but ‘pair of underpants 1’, ‘pair of underpants 2’, ‘pair of underpants 3’ and so on. During your holiday, you tick off what you've used or worn. At the end of the holiday, you can see at a glance which items have gone back home unused. There's a good chance they can simply stay at home next time. This way, you might discover that a pair of socks can last for two days or that one pair of jeans is often enough for a two-week holiday. Such insights free up a surprising amount of space in your suitcase.
Create clothing sets
Don't pack your suitcase with individual items of clothing, but with complete outfits. Prepare sets at home in advance that you will actually wear. Also, think in layers and choose clothes in colours that match well. This way, you can easily combine items of clothing and have more outfits with less clothing. This saves space and prevents you from taking clothes that will ultimately remain unused in your suitcase.
How do you pack your suitcase? Folding tip!
Who thegreenlist.nl For those who follow us for a while, you'll know we're big fans of Marie Kondo's folding method. Instead of stacking clothes on top of each other, you fold everything into compact bundles that you then stand upright next to each other. This not only works well in your wardrobe, but also in your suitcase. You'll have more space, see at a glance what you've packed, and prevent your suitcase from turning into a pile of clothes halfway through your holiday.
A handy folding technique to pack your suitcase smartly.
More useful packing tips from followers
- Rolling up clothes is also a fine technique for getting more stuff into one suitcase.
- Invest in packing cubes: this also allows you to fit more in a suitcase and keep an overview.
- Another follower adds: you can also ecological net bags use for packing small items such as underwear, socks and children's clothes. Tip: do you have lots of cloth bags at home? Then just use those!
- On holiday, you tend to wear less make-up, so only take your basic make-up with you.
- Don't take large bottles of shampoo and shower gel, but pour them into those small travel-sized containers you can buy at the chemist. Tip: sometimes those travel-sized containers are also found in charity shops!
- XXL hydrophilic cloths as towels take up much less space than ‘regular’ towels.
- Rent bedding and towels from the accommodation. It saves a lot!
- Bring a maximum of two pairs of shoes, e.g. hiking boots and a sandal/slipper.
- Coats also take up a lot of space, so make sure you get a multifunctional coat.
- A fleece jumper is also very handy, especially for Dutch holidays. Always make sure you use a cotton or woollen fleece jumper, though. Because with fleece made of polyester or recycled PET, you spread microplastics.
- Think multifunctional: you can use a cloth as a towel, but also as a scarf.
- Invest in merino wool shirt: this natural fabric is temperature regulating.
- Bookworm? Bring an e-reader, you'll save a lot of space that way.
- Check the weather forecast beforehand so you bring just the right thing.
- Invest in a small (second-hand) bag or suitcase, that way you can't carry much either.
- Always remember: you can always do a (hand) wash.
Space left? Excellent.
You're unlikely to suddenly go on a three-week holiday with just a carry-on suitcase after reading these tips. But if next time you pack one pair of shoes less, leave that extra jumper at home, or finally try that digital packing list, you'll already be onto a winner. Less lugging, less unpacking, less washing. And we bet you won't have missed half of those ‘just in case’ items for a single moment?
You might also find this interesting
- Also see: Thus sunburn works (and that's why SPF is so important).
- Also see: A nice list of better SPF in small packaging.
- Also see: Arrange your holiday.
Photo credits: Ivan Samkov (Pexels) (main image), Vlada Karpovich (Pexels), Timur Weber (Pexels).
