Friday, September 3, 2010

How to Pack like a Pro


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I've never been an efficient packer. I tend to load everything I possibly can until the zipper barely closes. However, I decided to change this nasty habit after the abnormal amount of traveling I have had to do do this year. Here are a few tips on how to pack like a pro. 

1. Get Organized. Pick a suitcase with a lot of compartments for jewelry, underwear, and other little items. This will keep you organized. Also buy a toiletry bag that has clear pockets that you can hang on a door. This will keep things from spilling on your personal items and are easily accessible. 

2. Create looks (this is the tough part)! Plan out as many outfits as you can and include accessories and lay them out on the bed. Try to pick things that can be mixed and matched with multiple outfits.

3. Prepare your clothes. Find out what needs to be ironed and dry-cleaned. Iron the clothes and hang them the night before. I don't roll clothes because it takes up too much space. I wait till the night before to avoid creases. 

4. Pack it up. Put the heaviest items in first.  Place shoes in felt bags so that they don't get your clothes dirty and at the bottom of the suitcase. Next add sweaters, gym clothes then layer dresses and skirts. Put in light weight pieces last like silk blouses so they stay nice. 

5. Finishing touch. Place in tissue paper sprayed with your favorite perfume-mine is  Chance by Chanel.

Thank you to everyone who visits the blog daily. I truly appreciate your love and support. Please, help Sterling Style grow and share this blog with your friends and family!  

{image from We Heart It}

57 comments:

Unknown said...

I hear ya! These are small steps that can really make the difference! ;)
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

P.S: Come and join my giveaway! Only day left! ;)

Unknown said...

realy great post!
xoxo from rome
K.
http://kcomekarolina.blogspot.com/

Chelle said...

Oh, love these tips! The scented tissue paper is such a nice touch. Now all I need is a vacation!

Xo Chelle
discoveringelegance.com

Chantel said...

Oh I just love the tissue paper tip! Cool!

Anonymous said...

I am going on vacation next week, can I take you with me ;) ?

titaz said...

thank you for ur tips
it's really help me to pack my things when i need to go :)

www.stylieandfoodie.blogspot.com

ediot said...

such handy hints and tips. well needed for my trip to london for fw. ill definitely take you up on the finishing touch.. its such a simple thing that makes a big difference! to have clothes that smell fresh when you open the suitcase

xxx

Anonymous said...

Great tips! I fairly recently figured out the whole "create outfits" thing and it's amazing how much less I have to pack as well as how put together I look while traveling. In a recent business trip I packed less than all the guys in my group but that didn't prevent me from looking stylish the entire trip, which was the goal :-)

Alison Kinsey said...

I always try to arrange my outfits in advance too. It makes things a whole lot easier when I arrive at my destination! Are you going to NYFW Taylor? I am still mulling over the fact that I wanted to attend the IFB event but don't think I can pull it off. I would have had to squeeze it all into one day, and that would have been hard traveling in from Boston!

Emilie said...

Great post Taylor!

Sybil said...

i do number 2 all the time!!! and i like that last tip!! will do that next time i travel (thanksgiving long weekend!). thanks for the tips!!

Animated Confessions

Closet Fashionista said...

great tips! I usually follow these, but for my trip this weekend I was bad and packed at the last second and probably forgot stuff XD
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

ThE fAsHiOn WoRsHiPeR said...

I am guilty as charged...I plan all my outfits, then pack them...I'm terrible! I also try to pack a week ahead of time (for planned in advance trips of course) so in case I forgot anything, I have a week to remember it haha. Also, I keep all the sample sized make-up from Clinique's bonus' in a make-up bag for easy packing :) I travel a lot too ;)

XoXo-Kelli K

http://thefashionworshiper.blogspot.com/

Content Director - Strong Female Leaders said...

wonderful tips. though getting organized is hard.

Magdalena said...

Love that pic :))))

Tiffany Kadani said...

I am a horrible packer but since I'm always on tour I have to be organized, like you said. Something that helps me is making lists of everything I pack and then (gasp) writing down every outfit for every day. Even if I'm gone for three weeks I still pre plan my wardrobes. It makes life so much easier.

Pretty Pleased said...

Great tips! I have tried to employ more tactful packing strategies lately...it def. helps! I just wish there was an unpacking fairy to take care of my bags post trip:)
MC
www.prettypleasedblog.com

Secondhand Smash said...

Packing is SO hard for me because I dress based on mood mostly, so I tend to overpack and take too many options. Good tip on packing things that mix and match. Also, I put my jewelry in zip lock baggies then put them in my shoes to save some room.

Cubicle Chic said...

I hadn't thought of spritzing any perfume before, but that's a really good one! Things can get kind of stale sitting in a suitcase for a long time.

- Meredith

shopcalico.com said...

Great tips!

I like traveling with a same-size friend and packing coordinating pieces--so we both get TWICE the outfit options!

This is especially awesome if your friend is the same shoe size, too! ;)

BrooklynBlonde said...

Love this post since packing is always a major ordeal for me! :)

xx,
Helena
www.BrooklynBlonde.com

Lemon Drop Love said...

I agree, packing has to be one of the most difficult things to do. Especially if you love clothes! I think these are great tips. I always have to remember to leve myself time to get organized, I always end up rushing because I underestimate how long it actually takes me.

xo Jen

Heather said...

Great tips Taylor!!!

http://behindthelashes.com

ching said...

my mom always helps me with the packing. she's the more organized type. :)

thyaudaciousness.blogspot.com/

L. said...

ugh, packing is always such a chore! i always end up with a million things in my bag and by the time I get where I'm going, none of them are appealing. following these tips will probably cut down on some of that nonsense though. great post idea.

Betty Noir

Anonymous said...

Thanks! Packing ideas are always more than welcome: hate packing and it's always a nightmare for me!! ~

Amber's Notebook said...

I'm a terrible packer. In fact I am leaving for the weekend and I just tossed all my stuff into a bag last minute. who knows what' in there! And who knows what i forgot..

Tanya Dempsey said...

Fantastic tips! Thanks! I like the scented tissue paper idea.

xx

http://novembergrey.blogspot.com/

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

I wish I read this while I was packing last night! How can I go away for 3 days and pack an entire suitcase, hah!

Have a GREAT long weekend, hun!

Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls

I V Y said...

ahaha thanks for this! i'm hopeless at packing :)

FASHION SNAG said...

Great tips! I roll my clothes when I pack though as I think it saves space. I follow the rest of the tips listed. x

www.FashionSnag.com

my healthy twist said...

Great post with good tips! Thanks Taylor!! And that photo is great! XOXO, Natalya

Alicia Lund said...

I love your packing tips Taylor! I always tend to over pack, throw in everything and never plan out my outfits. I should really get better about that especially now that all the airlines charge for overweight luggage. AH.

FrouFrouu said...

WAH wish you'd posted this before dallas. My packing was a big fat FAIL. Miss you loveee xx

Nicole Marie said...

i am so so so bad at planning outfits. i never seem to pack anything that i can wear together and i always forget to pack a belt to wear with the outfit i was imagining. i end up throwing in whatever i feel like. so bad at packing.

Nicole Marie said...

oh and i'de love to meet up too! maybe on one of your shopping trips to the city?!

Taylor Sterling said...

Nicole-

that would be great!

Becca [Free Honey] said...

Even the thought of packing gives me anxiety. I am a nortoriously awful packer, and I tend to wait til the last minute to do it! Bad Becca! I should have already started packing for 2 upcoming trips, but I haven't. So I'm glad to have a little motivation now. Maybe me and a glass of wine will do some packing tonight! NYFW here I come!

Kristen said...

Great tips! I'm a carry on Queen, it makes travel so much more quick and easy!

Taylor Sterling said...

AWWW Frou Fruu I miss you already love!

miss annie said...

Haha, the photo is really cool and funny!
I´m also not really good in packing but maybe it will improve with those steps!

Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...

Hey babe! I featured you in one of my collages today... come and check it out! ;)
HAPPY WEEKEND!
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/

P.S: Last chance to join my jewelry giveaway! Hurry!! Hurry!!! :D

C.Chico said...

great tips. i'm really horrible with packing!

Niki said...

these are very helpful tips - i am the WORST packer ever. thanks for sharing!

x Niki
A Haute Mess
ps. There's a giveaway currently going on at A Haute Mess! You can win an amazing cuff bracelet valued at over $100. Thought you might be interested :)
Giveaway posted here xoxo

The Pocket Stylist said...

I am totally with you I am a terrible packer mostly because it is essential that I bring choices I have to have at least two options per day I will be gone. Silly I know but as hard as I try I cannot break it.

The Village Idiot said...

this image is really gorgeous- it's like my dream stuff to pack- i love the colors

IKS said...

Yeah, packing can sometimes be so stressful. I always make lists, but at the end, I do take to much. I get all worried what if I wnat to wear it at that moment, and I left it at home??? never ending battle...

Stevia said...

thank you for the tips!
the holiday week is coming and this tips really suit me!

<3
http://escapesweetest.blogspot.com/

Grace Like Kelly said...

I need this! I am the worst packer ever and when I get places i am so pissed i have nothing that makes sense to wear.

Liana said...

great tips! i hate packing and try to avoid it until the very last minute :P i also tend to way overpack because i don't plan ahead...guess i'll have to put your tips to good use next time i travel :P

Little House of Limes said...

loving your blog! so helpful and inspiring. Thanks for the packing tips...i know they will come in handy :)
x

Rose said...

for a second i thought that photo was you, and i was thinking, wow, that is an intense set up and everything, haha. cute post!
xoxo, Rhain or Shine

Iris Tinunin said...

really good suggestions!
thank you :)

www.iristinunin.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Fabulous suggestions! I'm always the sort of person who takes a week to pack, so I really appreciated this post and guidance. I like to pack in some sort of duffel on wheels that has a solid base. I then pack all my pants and majority of separates in there, and can put shoes and toiletries on top (the misshapen things). Plus shoes also create a great place to store underwear and socks!

As a fairly recent newcomer to your blog, I have found your recommendations to be some of the ones I use most on a day-to-day basis. I loved the how to on "poofing your hair" and have shared it with friends!

Becca

Sarah Klassen said...

Lovely tips*

xoxo

ruby said...

Hi, I'm 12 and am into fashion and sewing right now. I'm sewing clothes for a fashion show and just got my blog at:
www.justrubyfashionandstyle.blogspot.com
I saw you were an alpha shopper in Lucky and went on your blog. Love it. -Ruby

jillian m. said...

Packing is sooooo stressful! I actually have trouble packing my clothes for a one-night sleepover. Ha! But these are some great tips, for sure.

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