How To Pack a Suitcase

Before the suitcase, Pack Carryon Backpack and Camera Bag

I got this trusty black backpack from MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op).

To determine the size, I took my camera bag with me to the store in Toronto.

My camera bag is not a space grabber. It not only holds my camera lenses and filters, and film, etc but it is also roomy enough to pack small items, like souvenirs, pens and notebook and my spare rain poncho.

Camera Bag Fits into Bottom of Backpack

When I saw a backpack with the features and price I liked,  I opened it up right in the store and set my camera bag in the bottom to make sure it would fit.

This backpack does the job nicely. It's sturdy, with padded straps and roomy enough with many zippered pockets and a water bottle holder on each side.

The only feature it doesn't have that I wish it did are those straps that cinch it in at the middle, for times when you don't have a full pack.

The only time my back pack is fully stuffed is on the flight home, when I've picked up brochures, souvenirs, and little gifts.

Packing for a Trip  - My suitcase and travel purse

The white mesh showing in the picture is the inside of my suitcase. I propped open my travel purse up with a black and white pen to give you some idea of the compartments.

To the far right in the photo, you can see a long pocket and two small ones. The tall pocket holds tickets, passport etc and the small ones hold cell phone, sunglasses, etc.

When the purse itself is zipped up, a flap with a quick release fastener securely covers the top opening of the purse, and both the long pocket and two small ones.

Packing My Suitcse - First Lay Out Travel clothes

With my suitcase opened, I can tell how much room I have for my clothes.

You see, the trick to packing one bag for a trip of several weeks is to first START with a small suitcase and choose your wardrobe to fit.

If you start with laying out all the clothing you  think you'd like to take along then you will be hunting for a very large suitcase, and that defeats the purpose.

In this photo, there is one print top and three neutral bottoms -- jeans, black travel pants and khakis. The only item that will show wrinkles and dirt is the khakis (and in the end, I never wore them once!)

Wear or Carry Matching Jacket - Don't pack in suitcase 

Here's the green lightweight jacket I took on this trip, and will likely take on future trips. It matches the tops and the pairs of pants.

This travel jacket has a front zipper and two outside pockets that close with zippers. As a bonus, it has two roomy inside front vest pockets that are deep enough to hold my passport, tickets, pen and boarding pass.

When I go through airport security or board the plane, or need to fill in my customs forms in flight, these travel documents and pen are all in easy reach. And since planes are more often chilly than hot, I wear this jacket during the flight.

More Travel Tops in Solid Neutral Colors with Accessories

In addition to the print top, I also packed my mainstay black and  white tops that also go with every pair of pants and jeans. Note that my jeans are drssier dark wash, not the pale blue denim. As well, these jeans are lightweight denim, so they are not too hot and dry quickly.

The white top is Tshirt material with long sleeves, and while it would likely be too warm for a winter resort or tropical holiday, it was perfect for when I wore it here in Canada in Spring (picture on my blog).

I wore this white top only one time. White clothing does show the dirt, so if I pack a white tops for travel, I choose ones that can be rinsed out and dried overnight.

I have white denim jeans that I will pack for a short trip to Florida where I have access to a washer and dryer. Wash and drip dry white skirts in a lightweight fabric are fine, as long as they are not see through.

White jeans or pants are totally impractical for day trips, etc where you know you will immediately sit in or spill something on them !

The black top top right in picture is a golf shirt with 3/4 sleeves. I wear it a lot at home and like how it fits, and how it holds up under working conditions. It also has a collar, which is really important comfort wise if you will have a strap (camera, backpack) around your neck.

Packing for a trip - Add Lightweight Tops to Layer

When I was packing for this trip, I added a few more lightweight tops in black or white.

Sleeveless tops worked well under the green jacket and dark blue cardigan because they weren't too hot when it was warm, yet added a layer on chilly days.

I also packed a few necklaces in browns and blues that go with all the tops / outfits. Necklaces and scarves can really change the look of an outfit and they take up so little room when packed in a small plastic baggie in your suitcase or backpack.

About packing good jewellery see Safety page about why to leave your good stuff at home.

How to Pack for a Trip - What Goes in My Suitcase

In this picture there's a blue cottom cardigan added to the mix that goes with all the tops and bottoms and gives me another color pallete.

All told, I think I had about 10 tops to go with the three bottoms (you could take skirts instead of pants; the principle is the same).

Ten times three makes 30 possible combinations / outfits: That is more than enough for any trip. Some tops are good for cooler weather, and some for hot weather, so you will always be comfortable.

I won't be packing all these things in my suitcase, though. Remember, I will be wearing one of the tops and the jacket and one pair of pants.

As well, I wear my hiking shoes on the plane and in transit as they take up way too much room in a suitcase. See this page for packing underwear, shoes, swimsuits etc.

How to Pack in Your Suitcase for a Trip 

In this last picture, my backpack is top left, and the clothes I will wear on the plane are top right, with my travel purse between them.

In the suitcase, I've folded or rolled the other main clothing items.  I roll only the items that roll easily, and fold the larger ones more prone to wrinkling.

You can see the left side half of the suitcase is still to be packed. It is here where I will put my undies, socks, swimsuit, accessories etc.

Sandals are put in a plastic bag and tucked into corners on top of the clothes, or even in the backpack on top of my camera bag.

Look at all the spare room on the right side of the bag! There's lots of space for socks etc that can be rolled up tight, as well as for my jammies.

This suitcase also has two large exterior pockets where I pack flat items, like tourism brochures for my return trip.

Also pack in your suitcase a few small plastic bags to hold clothing that's wet (swimsuit) or that needs to be washed, so your clean clothes are not soiled.

How I Pack a Suitcase For a trip

Telling you HOW I pack a suitcase, even with pictures, takes a lot longer than if I could just pack it with you :-) But I hope my travel tips can help you pack light no matter how long or how short a trip you are packing for, and whether you are traveling to chilly Patagonia or Canada in winter, or steamy Bangkok and humid Hong Kong!

Have a look at all my travel tips pages for more information. And when you get back, I'd love to hear how your travel packing and clothing choices worked!