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Clever hacks to take the stress out of summer holiday packing

First published 28 March 2019; updated 10 July 2019

At this time of year many of us are preparing to head off on a well-deserved break. But whether it's a trip to the Costas, a long-haul adventure or a family staycation, there’s one tricky hurdle to overcome before the journey can begin: we need to carefully pack our suitcases.

Luckily, help is on hand from frequent travellers who share the secrets to making the most of even the smallest luggage space.

Pack light to avoid the hold

Travel blogger Julie Falconer aims to avoid checking bags in to the hold. She advises the following:

Roll your clothes
“It saves a tonne of space”

Wear your heaviest, bulkiest clothes
“If you have a big bulky pair of shoes, or a jacket or big woolly jumper try to wear those clothes onto the plane.”

Pack a capsule wardrobe
“Make sure that everything you pack goes together so that you only need to bring one pair of shoes or one jacket.”

Keep things tight and compact

Travel expert Rachel Grant is also a fan of folding. Her tips include:

Invest in packing cubes, or clear food bags
“You can compress and cram many items into a packing cube. Roll your clothes into the bag, squeeze out all the air and slip it into your suitcase.”

Use elastic bands
“If you have lots of loose wires from electronics or hair straighteners, you can make everything neat by using elastic bands.”

As any Scotsman knows, travelling with a kilt can be a bit of a nuisance.

Fortunately Finlay Wilson, star of Kilted Yoga, knows a thing of two about travelling with kilts. He demonstrated his favourite techniques for stress-free packing, just in time for wedding season.