5 simple packing strategies I always come back to

The little things that help me pack less and feel more prepared

Hi friend,

There’s a lot of packing happening at our house right now: the pallet of personal belongings heading back to Oregon, and the suitcases we’ll be living out of for most of the summer.

I love the challenge of packing a suitcase (is that weird?)—and after four years bouncing around Europe and two international moves with kids, I’ve gotten pretty good at it.

If you’ve got some plans to travel this summer, here are my five go-to strategies for packing lighter and stressing less.

1. I always (always!) start with a formula

The 5-4-3-2-1 packing method has completely transformed how I pack these past few years. When you’re staring at an empty suitcase and a closet full of clothes, this simple formula is a great place to start: five tops, four bottoms, three pairs of shoes, two dresses or warmer layers (depending on the weather), and one each of your essential accessories.

If you want to dive deeper, I just published a full guide to building a travel capsule wardrobe using this method. It’s got everything you need to know and includes warm and cool weather versions, a scaled-down option for shorter getaways, and a more robust edit for longer adventures.

Here it is if you’d like to read more!

2. I stash away what we’re bringing beforehand

About a week before a trip, I start pulling the clothes I want to pack out of rotation, for both me and the kids. It breaks up the packing and helps me avoid the last-minute laundry scramble the night before we leave.

3. I use tiny containers for skincare

My husband’s old contact lens cases are the MVPs of my toiletry bag these days. I fill them with cleanser, moisturizer, face SPF, and even serums. One case of each (two compartments) usually lasts about a week, and they’re perfect for carry-on travel.

Bonus: For short 1–2 night trips, I’ll also pre-load my makeup brushes with bronzer and blush, wrap them in a tissue, and toss them in my bag. This way, I bring just what I need (1-2 applications) and can leave the compact at home.

4. I use packing cubes to stay organized

Many people swear by packing cubes for saving space, but what they really do well is contain clothing chaos. These are the ones I use most. The kids get the big cubes for their clothes, and I use the smaller ones for things like socks, underwear, pajamas, and workout gear.

They make unpacking at our destination fast and efficient, but they’re also great for containing dirty laundry on the way home. I just drop the cubes in front of the washer when we get back, and I am basically halfway unpacked!

5. I keep a second set of chargers ready

I used to run around unplugging chargers the night before a trip. Now I keep a second set (one of everything I need) in a small, zippered pouch that stays packed and ready to go. Because they’re duplicates, I can pack them in advance so there’s no more forgetting cords or scrambling at the last minute.

Have a favorite packing tip? Hit reply or leave a comment—I’d love to feature some reader favorites in a future post.