MANILA, Philippines - First of all, I am not the lightest packer in the world, but I am definitely the most prepared-for-all-occasions packer — ever. Not to brag, but I can definitely give a class on making lists and being über prepared.
1. Before traveling, I think the smartest thing to do is check the airline luggage and weight regulations, then purchase those handy luggage weight gadgets — they will save your life after major shopping sprees before going home.
2. I always have a checklist that I go through and I plan based on the number of days I will be gone, what my itinerary is, what the climate is, and so on.
3. The list is key and when you pack, it’s good to know the order in which you will use things so that you can use as needed without having to unpack your whole bag. Also, as much as some pieces you want to wear are fabulous, you also have to consider space and weight.
4. It is important to have luggage that is easy to carry around yourself if you have to. I am not personally a fan of Rimowa because I like using luggage that is soft, light and expandable to fit shopping and pasalubong for the way home. But Rimowa works for many and I recommend Delsey or Samsonite soft luggage with what I call “four-wheel drive†wheels for easy pushing around!
5. The key to good packing is organization. Again, know your itinerary and plan around it. Shoes, clothes, coverups for day and night should be duly separated. Jackets and bags should also be divided by function. Daytime items should be functional and versatile while evening pieces, depending on your style, should be stand-out but functional as well.