Hi everyone,
It is know 10 days until I start my holiday, so am getting to the stage of packing the suitcase. I was wanting peoples ideas as to the best way to pack clothes to minimise creasing and save space - roll the clothes, fold them or lay them as flat as possible in the suitcase? Thanks for your help.

kiwigirl...
I've always layed my clothes out in my suitcase when I'm traveling. My underwear gets rolled up as they are small and can be put into a corner. They won't take up much room besides. The only item that I brought home (from Wales) that got rolled up very tightly was a door mat and that was put along the narrow side of the suitcase. You have to figure out as to what you'll going to take on your trip as to how you're going to pack them. The more you travel the better you get in organizing your suitcase. I've been getting better at it. But, like I said, I've layed my clothes out in the suitcase as it takes up less room and they don't get "wrinkled" as much. It all depends upon what you're bringing and how "fussy" you are about your clothes showing the "wrinkles".
Good luck!!!

We're going to try those "baggies" which allow you to squeeze the air out and see how that helps to save space. (don't know if the extra space will just be eaten up by the bag or not.

I used to "layer" and also packed things in dry cleaners plastic bags. Now, I've gone to getting two gallong plastic baggies with ziplock tops. I roll my tops (usually cotton/poly) and can get about 6 in a bag. Then I gradually squeeze the air out until the bag is fairly flat. I take the tops out the night before and either use a wet wash cloth to smooth out the wrinkles, if any, or Wrinkle Release, which I bring in a small plastic spray bottle. I also used to carry an iron--however have done three trips recently and did not take it. I also use the "rolling and putting in to the baggie" technique with my "unmentionables"--rolling them together in sets
works great.

My slacks are usually folded in half--top to bottom and laid on the bottom of the case, in alternating directions, to keep things flatter. Then the bags of tops go on them. The pants rarely wrinkle--or not enough to make a difference.

My husband folds his golf shirts--most of which are a pique-type knit or have enough pattern in the print, that they don't show the wrinkles.

After a few days, everyone on the tour begins to look a bit "wrinkled" so it doesn't really matter. We did a 3 week trip to Russia a few years ago, and fortunately were able to wash tops, and have them dry, when on two night stops, which is helpful.

Enjoy your trip!!HMH

I cannot see the advantages of putting things into bags. If you roll up a pile of t-shirts, they will still be somewhat creased when you unroll them. They still take up the same amount of suitcase space-whether you put them into a bag or not.
"Undies" or bras can be stashed anywhere in your suitcase. I often put them in my shoes. And I do the same with any pairs of socks I am taking. Lay pants "half-length folded", like someone said, but I would NEVER travel without my Korjo steam iron. So small and light-weight, and so useable that I had to(willingly) share mine with several tour companions- once they knew I had one. Dual voltage and with the right adaptors- it was indespensible. No matter how diligently you roll/fold clothes, creases will still happen. A travel iron makes you look and feel a lot better.I would not put anything into a plastic bag when I travelled. "Squishing things in"-and if necessary- ironing later, is far more practical. No-one cares/sees what you are wearing underneath, but if you roll up in the morning with creases everywhere you look like you have slept in your clothes.Doesn't matter if you are "on vacation". You still look scruffy.Take an iron!!!And forget those silly "baggies".
Linda

Using plastic bags keeps your clothing more organized--which is the main reason for using them. Packing things that way provides you with an opportunity to rearrange your suitcase as the trip progresses and perhaps use the baggies for soiled laundry, if needed. I did not mean to imply that people begin to look scruffy as the tour progresses--it is just a fact of traveling.

My travel iron is also lightweight and can be used on various voltages, but I found it was taking up space that, now that there are more restrictions on baggage weight, was something I could leave at home.

Another plus for having things in the bags is that, in the unlikely event that you are required to open your suitcase coming or going, it is easier to repack--in front of everyone waiting in line--than if you don't have some organization. I watched this happen to several people who were required to do this when boarding a plane in Mexico. I would not want all of my things strewn about, as theirs were.

"How to pack" is another topic that has no right or wrong answer. People post their own opinions , formulated on the experiences they have had. The advantage of asking these questions and getting replies, is that the poster who make the query, gets a variety of answers. After they have traveled and used one form or other of the suggestions, they can decide what works for them. I pack much differently than I did 20 or so years ago--depending on the kind and length of trip which I am taking.

As my husband said to me years ago when we were doing B&Bs around Ireland and England--"if you pack it, you carry it"--and dragging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs in quaint B&Bs on that trip taught me that "less is "more." Cheers! HMH

We used those space saver travel zip locky bag things on our last trip and I don't care what anyone else says I swear by them!! They were great!! I was amazed at how small a pkg of tshirts could get!! wow! I packed all my tshirts and clothes I wasn't sure I'd need (sweatshirts, jeans) into them and then as I emptied them out started packing laundry or souviner clothing back into them. It made it so handy when unpacking every night at the diff hotels to be able to just pull out those bagged/airtight pkgs of stuff I knew I didn't need and put them aside to get to the stuff needed and then being able to just throw them back in. Just my humble opinion though!!

berk

Hi- I save plastic zippered bags that I get when I buy things like sheets, blankets etc. I use them for packing things I don't want inspectors handling like my undies, bras etc. If they can see inside, they won't take them out. I also use them to keep like things together or outfits. It all depends on what type of trip I'm taking. I agree with putting socks, belts etc into shoes- I roll nighties and put them in the corners. During the trip, I put wrapped purchases, especially fragiles in with my dirty laundry- I put one or two dryer sheets in the bag for odors- never had a problem.

If you pack knits, polyesters, nylons etc., you won't have a problem with wrinkles anyway- whatever you do- don't take linen- it really wrinkles. Most people look fine- you're on a bus tour not a cruise- you don't need to look 100%!!! Even at night or for optional dinners- most people don't dress. Travel with lightweight clothes- mix and match- you'll be fine

Great info. Yesterday we found a combination hair dryer travel iron at Brookstone. My wife was very happy. The hair dryer is smaller and the iron is quite small. Solved two problems at once. (we found one or two hotels which did not list hairdryers and also had feedback that some don't or they don't work well). We're going to try the bags. Let you know how it goes when we get back in July.

I also cast a vote for the space bags. They are great and things really do take up less room with the air squeezed out. I also find that things wrinkle less, especially if you bring synthetics or cotton/poly blends. And the airport security people will love you! A lady at an airport last year opened my husband's suitcase and instead of having to dig through a bunch of stuff and make a mess, she simply held up each bag and felt it, then put it back. She said, "I wish everyone could see how this bag is packed." We've had numerous compliments from security people for packing this way.

Now just to make everybody totally crazed......I"ll add some more mulligan to the stew!! If the weather is hot I take and wear linen!!! I find 100% linen is a dream....I can hand wash it, hang it up to dry in front of any draft....a/c or window and by morning the pants are dry and almost wrinkle free. Now linen w/ rayon or other blends...well that has proven to wrinkle ....at least for me. I also like linen in many climates cause it really is the coolest...more so than rayon in places like Egypt and China. JUST MY OPINION!!!!

Thanks for all the replies everyone. This BB is great for getting ideas and info. I think I'll pack my bag a few different ways this weekend and see how I feel - probably a mixture of rolling and folding. I'll also look into the ziplock bags. Thanks for all the well wishes, I'm sure Mum and I will have a great time - will give and 'report' on our return.
Thanks.
Jo-Ann

My vote is for the "roll". Takes less space and I also put all the questionable items like razors,tweezers,nail files etc. in clear plastic cosmetic cases and placed them on the very top. I stuff socks, belts, handkerchiefs in the shoes. I also keep dryer sheets in the luggage for the fragrance. I like the idea of taking half the clothes and twice the money too!

Hi
Maybe some repeats here but here goes:
We bought those two gallon large baggies with zip lock sliders. We managed to pack two pants or three shirts into each of them, sit on them to let the air out, and zip them up. You Wouldn't believe how much room we had left after packing for 31 days.
We also brought all of our old cleaned underwear, undershirts, socks, etc. Threw them out daily cept for those few stops where we had two nights to allow the cottom items to dry. The room looked like a slum but at least we got to wash some of them and hang them u[p wherever we had a nail hanging around.
Have a great time. Remember, underwear is only like 6 pairs for $5.99 or less when on sale.
more room for souvenirs
We also bought each of us this year one of those blow up head/neck rests to use on the upcoming bus trip we will be on. We saw several people use them last year and they sure looked comfortable.
good luck
maril

Husband & I are leaving May 28 for Treasures of Switzerland, Austria & Italy. We also got the 2 gallon ziplock bags. I can fit 2 windpants and 3 bodysuits in one bag. Also got 4 lightweight longsleeve tops in a bag too. You can really pack a lot in the zip locks....We are only taking a small roll-on case each ( 22 inch ) so we won't have to check our luggage and a small backpack each.