The Organizing Accessories Expert Travelers Always Have in Their Suitcase

If you think packing is stressful, it’s probably because you don’t have the tools to make it easy. Take it from me, a converted messy person. I was a slob to the nth degree; where chaos reigned in any room I stepped in. But I quickly learned the only reason that most of my messes happened was because I refused to invest in actual organizing tools, which are literally designed to keep your life tidy. When every item has a home, it’s hard to be messy. And the same holds true for your suitcase.

So if you’re tired of having a packed bag that looks upended every time you open it, try tidying it up with some of these amazing organizing accessories that expert travelers always pack. From jewelry cases to tech storage, this will have you covered.

If you’ve just been folding your clothes and throwing them into your suitcase, your old routine will feel practically prehistoric once you try packing cubes. You can separate your knits from your pants, your blouses from your dresses or lounge wear, and your underwear will no longer be haphazardly rolling around on the bottom, ready to spring out in the most opportune embarrassing moment. You’ll feel Monica-Geller-level organized, even if you’re a slob through and through. And to keep things even more transparent and easily accessible, opt for mesh cubes like these so you can see where everything is in a glance.

If you’re going somewhere for a short weekend and don’t have enough items to warrant a stack of packing cubes, then these fun suitcase bags can be another option. They’re great because they separate your knick-knacks and accessories from the bulk of your clothes. For example, the cute little bag with the bra printed on it is for your undies, while the one with the ballet flats are for your shoes, helping separate your dirty soles from your clothes. You’ll know exactly where everything is in your bag at a glance, and their fun designs help make your suitcase less stressful and more charming. (There are also more masculine versions of this if you don’t want to store your boxers in a bag decorated with lacy panties. But no judgment!)

Do you want to beat the system and take a carry-on and small bag, but you hate the messy way a backpack treats your clothes? This Rolo Travel Bag is genius for that purpose: When it lays flat, you slip your folded clothes in. Then you roll it up like a yoga mat, and sling it over your shoulder like a bag. This is great if you need a little more room than your carry-on bag can accommodate, or if you don’t want to grab a suitcase and can just handle the minimalism of a single bag. (And to those under-packers, we salute and envy you.)

While it’s totally fine throwing all your toiletries into a makeup bag, sometimes the jumble of mini shampoo bottles and rogue bobby pins can get your eye to twitching. In order to give you more order, consider upgrading to a proper toiletry bag. These bad boys are amazing because they have separate compartments for all your traveling staples: There are bags for shower items, compartments for cosmetics, and a small pouch for your hair things. Some bags are more elaborate than others, so if you like to bring a lot of products it might be more accommodating if you research one with more compartments and pockets to keep everything tidy. But the best feature about this is that it comes with a hanger, so you won’t have to balance it on any wet sinks or awkwardly put it on a closed toilet seat.

Keep your necklaces untangled and your statement jewelry safe with this amazing accessories organizer. It has ring holders, bracelet pockets, and necklace snaps, which will keep everything secure and in place no matter how long you travel.

If you’re tired of having all your cables and cords tangled together in the bottom of your backpack, this amazing organizer will keep everything tidy as a pin. It’s got compartments for tablets, passport drives, phones, and every kind of charger you can think of.

If you want to keep your bras in shape and your undies neatly stowed away, then this compartmentalized pouch will do just the trick.

Is this the chicest bag in the world? No, Anna Wintour would probably slap it out of your hand if you so much as passed her while wearing it. But what it might lack in style it makes up for in utility. It has all these nooks and crannies that will hold everything you’d ever need to survive your plane ride. From mini pockets for your lipstick or chapstick, to easily accessible phone and passport pouches, this will keep everything tidy and in easy reach. (And at $5 you can always drop it inside your usual fashion tote as a liner to keep things tidy.)

If you love organizing, this wallet will make your eyes roll to the back of your head in awe—it stows everything neatly, from your passport to your kindle. It contains one front pocket and one back zippered pocket, as well as four pockets on the inside, allowing you to keep all your most important things (your boarding pass, ID, and your credit card for lunch) in one spot.

Try these accessories out, and you’ll quickly learn that packing isn’t as annoying as it used to be!

Re-edited from a post originally published 4.14.2017 – TW