I don’t know about everyone else, but I have multiple ways to pack my things for a trip; a large hardshell suitcase, a small normal cloth suitcase and so many duffle bags. I use the duffle bags only for very small trips (1-2 nights), the small suitcase for 3-4 night trips and my large one for everything else. Everyone has their favorites, but I absolutely love hardshell suitcases, specifically for the reason that you have more room to pack your items, in my opinion.

So how do I pack each suitcase and/or duffle bag? Keep reading and i’ll explain it all!

When I pack a duffle bag, I always sort out my clothes. Shirts in one pile, then bottoms, sweatshirts then socks/underwear/bras. I put all my clothes on the bottom of my duffle bag to ensure nothing breakable gets broken. Does your duffle bag have side pockets? Put all your shower stuff in a gallon ziplock bag and stick it in the side in case of any spills! Hair tools, make up bag, personal hygiene items, and any other misc items all get placed on top of the clothes.

When packing my small suitcase, I have 2 zip pockets on the top (front) of it. I put shower stuff (in a ziplock of course) in one, and other small items in the other zip pocket (deodorant, toothbrush, hair brush, hair products, etc). When it comes to the main part of the suitcase, I pack it sort of like I do with a duffle bag. Sometimes I choose to use organizer cubes (the link to the ones I use will be in links tab), as it helps to keep everything from shifting, and keeps alike items together. Put shirts in one large cube, pants in the other large cube, bras/socks/underwear in the medium, and other random necessities in the 2 small ones. Place all other items on top or between cubes, latch the strap to keep it all compacted down, close and zip!

Now when it comes to my large hardshell suitcases, I could not speak anymore highly of them. They have the most room you can get out of a suitcase, and the hard outer shell is great, as it protects breakable items on the inside and can take harder impact than a standard cloth suitcase. Now when you open it, you don’t have the 2 zip pockets that you would normally get with a smaller cloth suitcase, but it does have a large zip section on one side of the suitcase and a normal open section on the other side. When I pack this suitcase, I ALWAYS use the organizer cubes; if not 1 set, I sometimes use more. The 2 large cubes i always use for shirts and bottoms, which is generally what you will have the most of. The medium cube I use for bras, socks, underwear and maybe bathing suits if they fit (if they need to come on vacation). The 2 small cubes I use for either swimwear if it doesn’t fit in the medium cube, and misc items in the other small cube (aunt flo products, lingerie, if i’m bringing any). I put those all in the open part of the suitcase, with the strap across the top that holds it all in. On the zipper side, I put my travel purse, extension cord, shoes, hair tools (blow dryer, straightener, curling iron), hair brush, make up bag, toiletries bag (I have one from Victorias Secret that hold alotttttt of stuff [ i’ll post link in links tab]). Any other misc stuff I always put in this large zipper section, just because its more than likely lose items and if you open your suitcase, it wont fall out due to it having large zipper closure.

There is no right or wrong way, obviously, to pack a suitcase or travel bag, but this is just the way that the salty mom does it.

Signing off, until next post.