PACK IT UP, BABY | MY ESSENTIAL PACKING TIPS + TRICKS

while i was in colorado a few weeks ago, one of my friends told me that i was the best packer she'd ever seen + that i should do a post on how i pack my suitcases! now, i will say that i am an OCD-level organizational freak [i couldn't find nicer terms to say that in, but i'm talking about myself so it's fine there's no hard feelings]. so, here we are --- i'm sharing my essential tips + tricks on how to easily, efficiently, + neatly pack your bags.

TIP #1 - INVEST IN A GOOD SUITCASE

big + spacious, always! unless i'm going on an over-night trip, i use this thrifted suitcase every time! i'm an overpacker + i'm #notashamed, + it's so nice to have lots of room! also, having a suitcase that holds up to the pressures of travel is a given --- find one that works for you!

TIP #2 - PURPOSEFULLY FOLD YOUR CLOTHING

whether it's rolling, double-folding [above], or another technique, fold your clothes with purpose! it's a time saver, space saver, + [my personal favorite] allows you to see each piece in your suitcase, a.k.a. no more searching for that one shirt you just HAVE to wear :)

TIP #3 - PACKING HATS? PLACE THEM UPSIDE DOWN

hats are a BIG space-waster, + a simple fix is to pack them upside down! i always place pieces under the brim + inside of it, + it saves so much room! perfect for a severe over-packer like me.

TIP #4 - GROUP SIMILAR CLOTHING PIECES TOGETHER

this is a tip that kinda goes hand in hand with the folding one. when you organize your luggage by type, it's much easier to know where everything is + see it right when you open your suitcase!

TIP #5 - FIND UNIQUE ITEMS TO TRANSPORT JEWELRY IN [STRAWS, EYEGLASS CASES, ETC]

most necklaces fit right into a plain old drinking straw, + it keeps them separate, contained, + most of all NOT tangled. i also place my earrings + rings into a spare glasses case! you can also wear as much jewelry as possible on the flight if these techniques don't end up working for you!

BONUS - FIND A STRONG + SPACIOUS CARRY-ON

i've been using this backpack since the spring + LOVE it! it has so many pockets + organizers that you can use to rearrange the interior to fit your travel needs! also, it has spaces for your camera + computer, which come with me on almost every trip! love love love it.

so, there you have it! i hope your suitcases thank you + that your future packing endeavors are stress-free from this day forth. i'm happy i could share a little bit of my OCD-ness with you guys! let me know if any of these tips helped you out, or if you have some tips of your own :) happy packing + happy traveling!