Practical advice to help you pack lighter, waste less space, and stay organized
Most packing tips tell you to “roll your clothes” or “bring versatile pieces”—but if you’re ready to go a step further, this list is for you.
These are real-world strategies that help you cut the clutter, avoid common mistakes, and get better at packing with intention.
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1. Test Your Toiletries Before You Travel
Decant your products into your travel containers a week or two before your trip—and use them exclusively during your daily routine.
You’ll get a clear sense of how long they last.
Examples:
- I filled a small container with moisturizer and used it daily and found I needed far less than I thought.
- Try this with eye cream, facial cleanser, or hair styling cream—anything you usually overpack.
This method prevents overpacking and helps you avoid guessing how much you “might” need.
2. Use Exact Daily Amounts to Decant Smarter
If you know how much product you use per day (like 2 pumps of serum), just multiply that by the number of days you’ll be gone, and decant only that amount—plus a small buffer.
Examples:
- 2 pumps/day of serum × 10 days = 20 pumps + 2 extra = ~0.25 oz
- A dime-sized amount of sunscreen each morning might only need a 0.5 oz tube for a week
- Half a teaspoon of hair gel daily? Use a contact lens case—it fits a week’s worth
No need to bring full “travel-size” bottles if you’ll only use a fraction.
3. Keep a Pre-Packed Toiletry Bag
Maintain a toiletry kit that’s always ready to go. After each trip, top up what you used and remove anything you didn’t. Store it separately so you can grab it without repacking every time.
Examples of what to include:
- TSA-sized toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, razor, travel deodorant, refillable bottles of moisturizer, face wash, SPF, and any daily meds
- A mini comb, hair tie, and cotton swabs in a contact case
- Tweezers, nail clippers, and a travel-size lint roller
Also useful as a grab-and-go emergency kit or evacuation bag.
4. Use Historical Weather for Better Packing Decisions
Instead of relying on a short-term weather forecast, look up the historical average temperatures and rainfall for your destination and time of year. Then check the forecast 1–2 days before departure for final tweaks.
Examples:
- Average highs in Rome in May are around 22°C/71°F—but if rain is forecast, you may need a waterproof layer
- Visiting coastal Portugal in October? Bring light layers even if the forecast looks warm—it cools off quickly at night
- Cold front in Paris? Add a heat-tech layer or lightweight insulated jacket
This lets you pack based on patterns, not guesses.
5. Use Google Maps to Avoid Overpacking Backups
Search the area around your hotel on Google Maps for grocery stores, pharmacies, and clothing shops.
This helps you confidently leave out “just in case” items you could easily replace locally.
Examples:
- No need to pack 2 deodorants if there’s a pharmacy a 5-minute walk away
- If your hotel is near a Uniqlo or H&M, skip the extra sweater
- Staying in a rural area with no shops? Then yes—pack your essentials carefully
This helps reduce fear-based overpacking.
6. Try On Every Outfit Before You Pack
Actually wear the outfits you plan to bring—don’t just lay them out. Move in them. Sit, stretch, and walk. Take photos or film short videos to get a full view.
You might be surprised how different things feel once worn.
Examples:
- I planned to bring a t-shirt dress for Europe, but it didn’t feel right when I wore it around—so I left it behind
- Shorts that felt fine last year may now feel too tight or ride up
- Layering pieces might not pair well once you actually try them on
This prevents packing pieces that look good but never get worn.
7. Use Outfit Planning Apps to Visualize Combinations
Apps like OpenWardrobe, Indyx let you upload photos of your clothing and create mix-and-match outfits before you even start packing.
Examples of how this helps:
- Visually confirm that one pair of shoes works with every outfit
- Spot pieces that don’t match anything else
- Build a mini capsule wardrobe digitally before pulling anything out of your closet
This is especially helpful for visual packers or anyone trying to cut their packing list in half.
8. Start a Master Packing Spreadsheet
Track what you pack for each trip—including what you used, what you didn’t, and what you wish you’d brought.
Over time, it becomes your personalized reference for smarter future packing.
Examples of spreadsheet tabs or columns:
- Destination, season, and trip length
- Clothing packed vs. actually worn
- Toiletries that ran out or weren’t needed
- “Never again” items
- Notes like: “Needed 2 pairs of pants, not 3” or “Didn’t wear sandals at all”
Especially helpful for repeating trip types like cruises, hiking trips, or conferences.
9. Film a Quick Outfit Rehearsal
Set your phone on a shelf, hit record, and do a 2-minute try-on session with your outfit options. Watching it back gives you perspective you won’t get from the mirror alone.
Examples:
- See if that midi skirt bunches awkwardly when you walk
- Notice how certain colors or shapes photograph (helpful for travel photos too)
- Spot items that just don’t feel like “you” anymore
This tip alone can help you eliminate half a dozen “meh” items you would’ve packed out of habit.
Free Packing Checklist
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Want Even More Packing Tips?
I’ve got a YouTube video with 79 of my best packing tips—from smart systems to space-saving tricks.
Watch the full video here → and level up your packing game.