How to pack a suitcase

Packing your holiday suitcase is simple, right? Make a list, fold a few shirts, and triple check you’ve remembered your passport (and check a further three times – just to make sure).

But what can start off as an easy task often ends up being a little trickier than expected – especially when it comes to unpacking at the other side. Well, we’ve gathered some great packing hacks to make getting ready for your summer holiday as stress-free as possible.

Ready to tackle your packing? Make your own custom checklist.

ROLLED-UP SOCKS WILL HELP BRAS KEEP THEIR SHAPE

Make sure your bras stay in perfect shape by rolling up some socks and placing them in the cups. It not only stops them from getting squished, but it’s also great for saving storage space for your socks. This trick works wonders for bikini tops, too.

A ROLLED-UP BELT KEEPS SHIRT COLLARS IN SHAPE

There’s no point in taking a fancy shirt on holiday if, when you get to your hotel, your collar’s all crumpled. Just roll up your belt and pop it in the collar to keep it in shape, and you won’t have to worry about looking scruffy for dinner.

USE A SHOWER CAP TO STORE DIRTY SHOES

Shower caps are not only brilliant for keeping your hair dry in the shower, they can also be a lifesaver when you’re trying to pack dirty pairs of shoes. Just pop them dirty-side-down into the shower cap, then put them at the bottom of your suitcase to stop any of your clothes getting mucky.

ROLL YOUR CLOTHES

Wondering whether you should fold and stack, or roll your clothes? We’ve got the answer. Rolling individual pieces of clothing helps to stop them creasing, and it saves space, meaning you can fit a lot more stuff in your case. So, you’ll have loads more room to bring back souvenirs and duty-free bargains for your jealous pals.

KEEP GLASS BOTTLES INSIDE SOCKS SO THEY DON'T BREAK

Here’s a clever trick to stop your perfume, aftershave or bottle of alcohol breaking while you’re carrying it around in your case. All you have to do is pop it in a sock, twist the sock at the end, and hook the whole lot back over the bottle so it’s all wrapped up. Or, if it’s a large bottle, use two socks and put one on each end.

DECANT YOUR LIQUIDS INTO REUSABLE MINI BOTTLES

When you’re trying to pack light, you can’t afford to waste space in your case with big, bulky bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Buy a set of reusable travel bottles, so you only take as much as you need. And if you’re sick of carrying around big bottles of sun cream for your day out at the beach, just fill one of your travel ones up and pop it in your beach bag. Plus, investing in reusable bottles means you aren't shelling out for expensive and wasteful travel miniatures, and once you're back home, you can wash them all out ready for your next trip.

USE A COTTON WOOL PAD TO STOP MAKEUP COMPACTS BREAKING

You’ve splashed out on fancy makeup in duty free so you can look your best for your holiday, so you’re not going to let a packing fail ruin it, are you? To make sure your compact powder and eyeshadow doesn’t crack and break in your case, place a cotton wool pad inside. It keeps the powder cushioned, so your makeup will stay safe and crack-free.

All prepped to get packing?

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Photographer: Greg Woodward, Stylist: Zoe Kozlik

Last updated: 22.09.2022