Packing Tip: Fold & Overlap
May 12, 2009 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Products & Resources, Travel Tips
I fancy myself a cut above average when it comes to packing a suitcase. I have my standard items that I always pack, and never unpack, and I generally pack the same kind of things in the same kind of way. I make lists, revise as necessary, and manage to take everything that I need with a little room to spare. My system keeps it all very easy.
I’ve never felt the need to follow a guide, take a packing class, or do much more than stay organized.
However, after watching this concierge organize this bag, I learned a thing or two that I’ll be putting into effect. According to him, it’s all about layering and overlapping your stuff.
Take a look.
Do you fold and overlap your clothes like this when you pack? Or do you roll (another popular packing style)? Or do you just get everything into the suitcase the best that you can and not worry about it?
I like to roll mine. It seems like I end up with less wrinkles that way.
I’ve tried rolling, but just don’t love it. It works fine for t-shirts and stuff like that, but I’ve never mastered rolling dresses or nice slacks.
When I leave, everything is folded so that it fits best. Everything fits into the bag neatly, like an expert Tetris player. When I come back, though, everything is just crammed in as best as I can get it.
I’m the same way! Everything neat and tidy when I leave home, but a mess when I return!
I’ve done this & it works to reduce wrinkles, but it’s not my style…
I’ll fold things, but sometimes layer them with another folded item, like a t-shirt that doesn’t wrinke, inside. It’s not like this layered/stacked thing. That doesn’t work if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t unpack & lives out of the suitcase. What happens if you want the pants in the middle? Pulling them out just creates a pile of clothes that aren’t folded, rolled, or otherwise neat.
Yeah, this will only work if you’re going to totally unpack.
When I’m traveling short term, where I won’t totally unpack, if fold and layer much like you probably do. But when it’s for a longer time, I think this layering thing really works.