Packing for a holiday can often feel overwhelming, trying to fit everything in while avoiding wrinkles, worrying about overpacking, or fearing you haven’t packed enough. While many travellers choose clothes that don’t usually need ironing, it’s a shame to limit your options when there’s a simple way to keep your clothes neat without sacrificing style. While there are many ways to make your trip easier, there’s one simple packing hack that could save you both time and space, and it’s something every traveller should know.
Travel expert and agent Claire Le Moigne, a TUI retail manager, has booked over 6,000 holidays during her 35-year career, and she’s revealed one simple tip that could save you both time and space in your suitcase. She said: “Over the years, I’ve been on my fair share of trips, but I’ve also helped all of my customers prepare for their summer holidays.
“I’ve picked up lots of tips and tricks along the way when it comes to the essentials we should take away, but I’ve also seen first-hand some of the biggest mistakes that travellers make with their luggage.”
One of Claire’s go-to strategies for packing efficiently is the “bundle method.” The bundle packing method involves wrapping clothes around a central core, which helps reduce wrinkles and maximises suitcase space.
Instead of folding items flat, you layer garments in a way that keeps them compact and less prone to creasing, making unpacking and ironing a thing of the past.
Le Moigne added: “Nobody wants to spend their time ironing on holiday. I always opt to roll my clothes to help avoid creases and to save space.
“If you need that extra bit of compression you can try the ‘bundle method’ where you wrap larger items around smaller ones.
“That said, if you’re someone who doesn’t like to unpack their suitcase when you get to your destination, filing your clothes vertically lets you see everything in your case at a glance – you just might need to take more advantage of a travel iron!”
Claire Le Moigne also advises packing light by reducing toiletries and buying essentials at your destination, using travel-sized containers to save space instead of bulky shampoo and shower gel bottles.
She suggested planning outfits in advance to avoid overpacking, and always bringing a foldable tote bag for souvenirs or laundry.
For flights, she recommended packing essentials like eye masks, earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones, but she insisted that the most important item to bring is a reusable water bottle to stay comfortable and hydrated that you can get the cabin crew to refill and refill it after going through security checks as well.