AN EXPERT has revealed his sneaky hacks to make packing suitcases for winter holidays a whole lot easier.
It can be frustrating to compromise on how many winter fits you pack for the holidays due to their bulky nature.
That’s where baggage expert and Head of Operations at Seven Seas Worldwide, Wayne Mills comes in with his eight sneaky hacks.
ROLL YOUR CLOTHES
Wayne’s first tip is “to fold your clothes until they form a rectangle, then roll”.
He continues: “For a t-shirt, for example, you would lay it out flat, fold in the arms, fold it in half, then start rolling.
“This technique keeps your clothes wrinkle-free and lets you get a whole load more stuff in your bag.”
VACUUM PACK
Compression bags and vacuum packs work by sucking all the air out your clothes, reducing them to a fraction of their original size.
Half size clothes only means one thing, you can pack twice as much!
LAYER UP
Wayne recommends wearing your heaviest layers on the flight as this will save you valuable carry on space.
Plus, you’ll be prepared for the winter chill when you get to your festive destination.
THINK LOGICALLY
Ideally, pack clothes that serve multiple functions and can be styled in different ways.
Wayne explains: “Add a coat and hat to a stylish long-sleeved dress for a daytime look, then change it to an evening ensemble with a smart bag and a piece of jeweller.”
Lightweight materials such as wool, merino or fleece are also good to layer.
USE CUBES
Packing cubes are a great way to organise your carry-on luggage.
You can divide your bag into colour-coded cubes: thermal layers in one, casual outfits in another and accessories in a third.
Wayne says: “This will let you pull out the perfect outfit for the day without rummaging through your entire bag.”
LIMIT SHOES
Wayne recommends bringing one pair of stylish boots and a lightweight pair of flats or trainers.
He says to wear the boots on the flight and stuff socks in your other shoes or any other small items to maximise all available space.
DOWNSIZE JACKETS
As tempting as fury coats are, they can be difficult to pack unless your’e wearing them.
That’s why Wayne says down or pack-able jacket options are the better option.
They’re warm, lightweight, easy to pack, and don’t take up much room.
ZIP SEAL
Wayne’s final tip is to use zip seal bags.
These little transparent bags are perfect for storing lose items in them like cosmetics, chargers, or gloves.
Wayne said: “Travelling in winter can be just as magical as a summer getaway, but it comes with the same worries about baggage fees, delays, and lost luggage.
“That’s why strategically packing everything you need into your carry-on is such a great idea; it lets you avoid the hassle of long waits at the carousel and streamlines your travel experience.
“Being organised and intentional about what you bring means you won’t have the stress of travelling with bulky bags while knowing you have everything you need.
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“Keeping your bag light also lets you avoid that stressful scramble for space in the overhead bins once you get onto the plane, as you can just slip your bag under the seat in front.
“Not to mention, your compact packing will impress your travelling companions – and if you pack really smart, you can make room for souvenirs!”
