This isn’t entirely fashion-related, but if your clothes and shoes don’t make through the flight/trip, then you can’t look great at your destination! I’ll be the first to admit that I am a bit of a perfectionist, yet I was always a last-minute, sloppy packer. I would literally be jumping on my suitcase the morning of my flight, willing it to zip.
Until last summer’s trip to New York City. My favorite pair of Aldo wedges were bumped and scuffed from rubbing against each other during the flight. So here is my comprehensive tutorial to packing, so you and your belongings make it safely.
First, I start by laying everything I want to take, by outfit. This way I don’t forget a belt, a strapless bra, or anything that I might need.
Since we are traveling to Vegas, where the temps are in the low 80s, it’s shorts and skirts for me!! A lot of my skirts have embellishments. This Alexander Wang skirt, for example, has hooks and eyes the whole way down, which could potentially snag another piece. To solve this, I sandwich the skirt between two pieces of tissue paper and roll it like a sushi roll:
I do this for tops that are lacey or anything else delicate. You can see all my “sushi rolls” here:
For my nicer shoes, I stuff my shoe boxes with paper towels, and keep my shoes in their dust bags, to keep them safe.
I put my purses in their dust bags, and pack those first:
For shoes without boxes (like my favorite Aldo wedges that have scuffs on them from the NYC fiasco), I wrap them in tissue paper and stack those at the bottom of the suitcase:
(And yes, I am packing 8 pairs of shoes for a 4 day trip)
I fold up my shorts, skirts, and tops, and pack them. Some people roll everything, but I am a fan of a straight fold – must have been all those years working retail.
I set my “sushi rolls” of clothes between the shoe boxes and my loose clothes, and put my belts in the extra bit os space.
I gently fold this David Lerner dress, it has leather paneling, and doesn’t show creases. I don’t roll this in tissue, rather fold the tissue around it. I do this for one of my nice skirts, too.
These go on top of everything else in the suit case:
Bathing suits, unmentionables, and an extra phone case go in my mesh pocket. I added sunscreen and my Downey Wrinkle Releaser in my plastic pocket, and add my Coach jewelry box into the last bit of extra space.
I was hoping to get everything into one suit case, but I couldn’t jam my toiletries and make up into this bag, plus there was no room for any new purchases. So, I busted out the smaller roller bag:
Which meant I could add another bag and a pair of shoes, with room for my toiletries and any new goodies! I added some extra tissue paper, for the return home, in case any rip upon arrival. And that’s it!
Enjoy your week, I will be updating when I get home from my trip, follow me on instagram @heyitsjenna for more frequent updates 🙂
Suit cases by Diane Von Furstenberg, similar here.
Erin says
Hi! This is really helpful! Haha it’s crazy how much attention you pay to your items. But I guess if you’re going to spend money on clothing, you oughtta take care of it! I like the idea of wrapping shoes! Thanks!!
Jenna says
Thanks! hahah It’s a little crazy/ocd, but I was devastated when my wedges were all scuffed up 🙁
Anna says
i love those greenish snake skin sandals. Where are they from?
Jenna says
Thanks! They’re Dolce Vita! http://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Dolce-Vita-Womens-Archer-Sandals/6760446/product.html#product-detail 🙂
Anna says
thank you x
Chelsea says
This is no joke!!! You take this much care when you pack up to leave the hotel, too!!??
Jenna says
Haha I try to!! Ever since my shoes got scuffed up, I’ve taken extra precaution!
Hannah Page says
This is genius! Hope u have a great trip! I was wondering where about’s your skull pillow is from in your last photo behind your suitcases? I love it 🙂
Jenna says
Thank you! 🙂
And one of my readers actually made them for me!! I told her if she was interested in selling them I would be happy to share her contact info with everyone, but she is busy with school and what not.
She bought the fabric online and sewed them herself!
Hannah Page says
Wow that’s so cool! I would really love to buy one of her, I would love to contact her & see if it would be possible for her to make one for me? I can’t seem to find those sort of pillows anywhere and I love them!
Jenna says
I sent her a message; haven’t heard back yet! I’ll let you know if she says yes 🙂
Hannah Page says
Thank you jenna, if she’s not possible to do it, do you know where I can get fabric like/similar to this? The shop names? 🙂
Jenna says
Hi! I just got back from vacay, so sorry for the delay. She says the Etsy store that she purchased the fabric from doesn’t carry it anymore, and she hasn’t found anywhere that does :/ sorry!! You could try your luck searching!
Mel says
whoa, this is really involved!! you would probably cringe at me throwing my gucci shoes in with my snow boots and all the rest of my and my boyfriend’s stuff into a huge duffle…
i know i should take better care. if only i knew where my dust bags ARE.
this is really handy – i’d never thought about wrapping things to make sure they didn’t snag. good tutorial!
Jenna says
Hahah thanks! I NEVER paid this much attention to packing… But I would DIE if my favorite chanel pumps got scuffed or something! People tease me about my little sushi rolled clothes :p but better safe than sorry!! 🙂