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I use "pack cubes" -- square-ish zippered nylon bags that come in different sizes.

They are infinitely neater than packing items loose. It's like having multiple drawers in your luggage. Ebags, Eagle Creek, and others make them. No more digging for an item at the bottom.

It is interesting to show the diagram and make a big point of bundle wrapping/packing, but the AT pictured suitcase does NOT do that!

"Dyment says travelers who fold items individually, put them in a stack and force them in the suitcase are making a huge mistake."

It doesn't appear that you followed the diagram...

The best tool is to just lay out what you're going to wear every day you are there, add some fun accessories and ONE "what if" outfit and just pack that. I can't tell you how many 3-day weekend trips I've been on with my girlfriends that bring a full sized suitcase... what is in that thing???

plain jane: whoa there! Ee just snapped the photo quickly to accompany the post...those aren't even necessarily the clothes we're taking with us. Consider it a "before" image.

I've done the bundle wrapping. It works really well in terms of fitting a lot more stuff into your suitcase. But it's a pain to dig for that shirt in the middle of the bundle, and then have to reconstruct the bundle.

I guess it would work better if you're only heading to one destination and you could unpack your stuff and hang it up.

When I tried it, I was jumping from town to town, spending only a night or two at each place.

I roll things that won't get wrinkled, pack all my toiletries in the middle, shoes around the edges and place the likely-to-be-wrinkled clothes on top.

I use the roll and stuff method, seems to work well. I don't really care if clothes get wrinkled, since I never go anywhere where it matters (nor do I care generally anyway).

I tried bundling on my last trip to France and it SUCKED. I packed more stuff, but I had to dig for it. I'm a fan of the Eagle Creek Compression bags now. I don't overpack and I can find everything I need.

Luggage packing 'Guru'?

just roll everything into tightly compressed rolls and you'll be surprised how much you can fit in there... there might be some ironing waiting for you if your clothes wrinkle easily though. :)

I travel to trade shows 3 or 4 times a year. For three days I see the same people everyday, so I need several professional looking outfits in just one bag. I have learned to lay out all my outfits together. Then I can see which garments can do double duty. I even lay out my shoes and jewelery. That way I have everything I need and nothing more.

Thought I would share my article called Pain-free Packing.

One of my tips is to pack like those clever Europeans and bring a lot of black or other neutral clothing that can be mixed and matched for multiple events and settings.

Thank you,
Crystal D.
Sparkleizer and Home Organizer
www.sparkleize.com
E-mail crystal@sparkleize.com

foreign dignitaries have unexpectedly invited me to dinner enough times to justify my over packing....well maybe not but i need options!

Bundling has never worked for me - it makes MORE creases not less and they are untidy creases - if you fold a shirt on its own at least the creases will all the in neat places - with bundling the creases just happen all over the place - awful - and trying to get something out of the middle of a bundle is a nightmare

I can do a whole week with just a carry-on bag - its all a question of multi-use

I use the zip-lock bags for undies - fabulous (remember to take a spare for the used undies - don't want to have to mix!)

And always remember to wear your heaviest shoes on the plane ride to save space and weight

Doesn't necessarily work with short sleeved blouses.

short sleeves go in the middle of the bundle - first layer around the core.

I just packed a suitcase for a trip! Great technique! "Smart balance" the bag feels lighter too!

Thanks for this article. It lead to some very interesting discoveries.