Packing clothing for a trip involves more than simply throwing a few pairs of socks and shirts in a suitcase. Take care to pack everything you will need while away from home without packing your luggage so full of clothing that everything is a wrinkled mess when you arrive at your destination. Learning a few packing basics can help avoid unnecessary ironing and costly last-minute trips to buy items that you forgot to pack.

Step 1

Make a list of every item you will need for your trip. Include basic items that may seem obvious, such a toothbrushes and combs, and special clothing or toiletry items you will need for the trip. recommends keeping a toiletry case perpetually packed to save time when packing.

Step 2

Place the items on your list on a bed. Organize the surface of the bed into four areas: daily wear, shoes, toiletries and special clothing, such as evening wear.

Step 3

Insert shoes in clean grocery store bags and place the shoes in the corners of the suitcase. Using the bags will prevent dirt from the shoes from staining your clothing.

Step 4

Place small items, such as hairbrushes or toothpaste in small zip-top plastic bags and put them in shoes to save space. Place other toiletry items in the zippered inner compartment of the suitcase. If you use a toiletry bag and have space in one of the corners of the suitcase, place the bag there.

Step 5

Roll T-shirts and jeans and place them in the suitcase between shoes. Roll underwear and socks and place them in the gaps that remain between the clothing and walls of the suitcase.

Step 6

Fold sweaters, blouses and dress shirts and place them on top of the rolled items. Fold the arms toward the center of the clothing, then fold the items in thirds. Fold dress pants into thirds.

Step 7

Place evening wear into plastic bags and place on top of the folded items. Use dry cleaner bags because the plastic reduces friction that can cause wrinkles. Fold these items as needed following the same folding instructions used for sweaters, blouses and pants.

Step 8

Unpack your suitcase as soon as you enter your hotel room to prevent wrinkling. Hang up clothing items that are particularly likely to wrinkle, rather than putting them in a drawer.


  • Place items that you expect to wear early in your trip near the top of your suitcase to avoid wrinkling clothing as you search for a certain shirt.


  • If you are packing a carry-on bag, don’t bring any liquid or gel-based items that are larger than 3.4 ounces. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) prohibits liquid items larger than 3.4 ounces in carry-on luggage. Place your travel-sized makeup, shampoo and other items in a quart-sized zip-top bag and put the bag in an outside pocket of your luggage. This will enable you to quickly remove the bag for screening when you reach the TSA screening area.

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