Five Ways to Pack Smarter and Lighter

Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg once said, “I get ideas about what’s essential when packing my suitcase.” For most of us, the thought of packing before a trip is about as appealing as reading the Encyclopedia.  It’s hard to know what to take, what to leave home, and how to pack it all neat and tidy.  We want the best of both worlds:  to be able to bring every amenity and necessity we can stuff in a suitcase, but without having to lug 100 pounds of dead weight around an airport or hotel lobby.  So what can a savvy traveler do to solve this dilemma?  Here are five tips to help make packing a pleasurable, not painful experience:

1)    Choose clothing made of lightweight materials, leaving the bulky, heavier apparel at home.

2)    Pack items in your wardrobe that are versatile and neutral in color (think black, white), so you can easily pair things up when putting outfits together.

3)    Bring several accessories such as belts, jewelry, and scarves to help stretch your fashion options a bit more.

4)    Roll your clothes versus folding them to maximize space.

5)    If your goal is to bring only one lightweight travel bag for a week-long trip, consider having a light load of laundry done while you’re away or packing a few toiletries in your purse such as a travel-sized toothpaste and toothbrush.

Bonus tip:  download the ‘Packing Pro’ app from iTunes. The app, billed as ‘a helpful travel companion on all of your trips,’ helps users create and organize packing lists and sends important reminders. Designed for both the iPhone and iPad, the app costs $2.99 and has been featured on CNN.  For more information on this handy travel app visit.