If you're a chronic overpacker, this video's for you because by the end of it
you are going to know step by step how to pack lightly for your Europe trip
even if you're traveling during wintertime. So here's a little secret, I'm
actually flying home to Canada tomorrow so this is very much a pack with me
video so you can see exactly how I pack my suitcase to maximize space and to
also make sure it's not too heavy so if you're excited for this video give me a
thumbs up, comment below and let's hit that cheesy intro.
What's up, smarties? Christina here from HappyToWander.com and today I am
going to teach you step by step how to pack light for Europe... but first I need
to channel my inner Oprah and give away a postcard! Every week, I give away a
postcard to someone who comments so if you want one comment below with your
favorite tip from this video. A huge congrats to our winner from last week,
Aaran! Now let's pack. Here's a walkthrough for packing light on your next trip. step
one: pick your gear. when I'm packing light I usually travel with these two
bags every time - a small Samsonite hardshell case and this classic Herschel
backpack. I also have some other essentials that I always pack to keep me
organized. if you watch last week's video all about my best packing hacks you'll
know one thing I cannot travel without is a good packing cube. If my goal is to
pack light, I'll typically reserve one packing cube for tops, one packing cube
for bottoms, a small packing cube for socks, underwear and bras, as well as a
dirty laundry bag and a little garment bag for shoes, For a full packing cube
showdown, be sure to subscribe because next week's video will be a detailed
breakdown of a bunch of different brands and which ones I like best. Now to
minimize bulk with my liquids, I also have my own toiletry bottles and a handy
TSA approved plastic pouch to keep them all in, as well as a little bag for
makeup. Step 2 pick your clothes. Easier said than done! there are a few rules of
thumb to follow when your priority is packing light. Rule number one is to pack
for no more than one week at a time and then do laundry on the road as needed. So
if I'm aiming to be very minimalist for a winter trip like this one, I'll usually
bring three long sleeve tops, two sleeveless nice tops, two pairs of pants
seven pairs of underwear, seven pairs of socks, one set of athletic pants and
shirt to sleep in, one cardigan, one big sweater one pair of thick socks two bras
and a big coat to go over top. You can of course pack less underwear or socks if
you do laundry consistently. Rule number two is to ensure that
everything matches meaning every top should match every bottom should match
every coat should match every shoe, unless you are packing clothes for a
very explicit purpose like working out which I optimistically will be. A good
way to ensure that everything matches is by picking mostly neutral tones and
maybe adding one accent color. As I explained in my packing hacks video from
last week, planning your outfits well in advance is really important. Rule number
three is to bring items that are multifunctional or that can be dressed up
and down. For example, instead of bringing one winter coat with no hood, then one
raincoat for rainy days, consider a warm coat that also has a hood. Another
example is instead of a bulky wallet like this, I just bring a small
wristlet that fits all my cash and cards, then I use that as a wallet. That way if
I'm going out for the night, I can just use this wristlet as a little clutch
sort of thing instead of bringing an entirely different evening bag. Rule
number four is to pack for layering. I always pack with the expectation that
I'll be layering my outfits for warmth. This way, your individual items can be
mixed and matched and used for different purposes rather than just being one very
chunky sweater. Step three is to actually pack. To start, take a look at your heap
of clothes then take out your heaviest items and plan your travel outfit with
these items in mind. I always pick out my travel day outfit in advance and set it
aside so I don't accidentally pack anything I really need. It's important
that you wear your heaviest items on the plane of course to minimize the bulk in
your suitcase. Next take a look at all your stuff and isolate the absolute
essentials. Always put every absolute essential in your carry-on purse,
backpack or whatever your smallest carry-on item is because sometimes they
do make you check your bag at the gate when there isn't enough space, even if
you have a carry-on size suitcase. Again I always have one packing cube for tops,
one packing cube for bottoms, one for underwear and socks, and I also slip
shoes into a garment bag and bring one makeup bag and one clear bag for my
liquids. If I'm checking my bag in which I will be on this trips since I'm packing
light for clothes but bringing a lot of gifts, then I will also bring a bag
filled with an emergency outfit just in case my checked bag goes missing. After
putting everything in our cubes, it's time to stack them up. Pretty much all my
clothes will be going in my suitcase apart from this tiny packing cube with
my emergency outfit. I always pack the heavier stuff at the bottom where the
wheels are to make sure my suitcase doesn't randomly topple over then I put
any random bits in like my hair straightener and my purse. Alright now zip it all up
and that suitcase is good to go. For my backpack, here's how I pack it. I always
bring every absolute essential item for me and put it in my backpack so this
includes my camera, laptop, and essential chargers including a portable one. I
always pack bottom-to-top in terms of what I'll need at the airport so my
emergency outfit goes on the very bottom
then I put my bag of chargers because I'll need them but not right away then
my camera and my bag of liquids since I'll need to remove them quickly
and easily for security and my laptop of course is in its own little pouch at the
end because I'll need to bring it up at security as well.
Zip it up and we're good to go! I hope you enjoy packing with me today,
smarties. Again, comment below with your favourite tip for a chance to win next
week's postcard and give me a like if you enjoyed this one. I'll see you guys
next week for another video - until then byeeeee!!!