Marie Kondo Your Suitcase

Is it just me, or do you sometimes lose all logic and reason when you’re packing?

Out of nowhere, it seems that suddenly, you’re packing 20 pairs of underwear for a weekend trip ‘just in case’ or even pulling out a sweater you haven’t worn in ages because the weather forecast says it might be a little chilly? I don’t know what it is about the blank canvas of an empty suitcase that makes us go crazy!

Since I’m getting back into traveling this year, I’ve decided to take full control of my packing. If you remember from this post here, I recently gave my kitchen and Chloe’s room a ‘Marie Kondo’ makeover and it’s been so much easier to keep track of where everything is. So why not use that same logic and apply it when packing?

Here’s how I’ve Marie Kondo’d my suitcase:

PIN IT

1. Folding

Folding your clothes the Marie Kondo or the ‘KonMari Method’ way is the best! It’s kind of an ‘always roll your clothes in your suitcase’ hybrid where you fold items upright in your suitcase so you can easily spot what item is what and it saves you time when you’re unpacking and prevents you from being stressed-out frantically looking for something. Taking a little extra time before you take off will make all the difference! PS: if you don’t know how to fold Marie Kondo style… this video really helped!

2. Pack Practically

When you’re packing, it helps to think practically. For example, instead of packing the 20 pairs of underwear for a weekend trip just in case… count out the days you’ll be gone and maybe throw in one or two extra. There’s no need for excess items to take up space in your suitcase. So, those pair of boots that you’re in love with that hurt like hell to walk in, should probably stay home. Or if you really want – plan out the outfits you want to wear and write them down on a list to help you organize your thoughts. That way, you have an idea of what you’re wearing, or at least have an arsenal of outfit ideas that you can easily throw on in the morning!

3. Does it Spark Joy?

Okay, be honest. How many times have you heard/seen that phrase in the last month? No matter how meme-able it is, it truly helps when you’re packing. Similarly, if you’re a big shopper when you travel, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of your environment and start buying everything around you. So take a step back and ask your self, ‘Does it spark joy?’ If the answer is yes, then ask yourself if you only like it because of your current environment or will it actually work for your everyday life back home?

To give some context, our Editorial Director Jane once bought a hammock in Mexico when she knew she didn’t have a backyard at the time to hang it in, just because it was cheap and everyone else was buying one! Talk about FOMO! Or let’s talk about when our Editor Hannah, bought an Eyore pillow-pet that she definitely didn’t need when she went to Disneyland for the first time and got WAY too caught up in the hype.

4. Be smart about your Cosmetics

I’ve been known to just stick my makeup bag (I’m talking about over 50 products here) into my suitcase without a second thought, only to realize that I brought 3 different foundations, more lipsticks than days I’m gone and a few shadow palettes that I haven’t used for months but no eyebrow pencils. It pays to go through and vet what you have and only take what’s necessary! If you’re going to a wedding or a formal occasion- a full makeup bag makes sense, but if you’re going to the beach, you probably won’t need those false eyelashes! For more tips, be sure to check out this post here!

5. CARRY-ON NECESSITIES

It’s just as easy to overpack your carry-on as it is to overpack your suitcase. So remember to only take the necessities (you won’t have time for much more anyway). If you’re going on a long haul flight, I always make sure to pack an extra outfit in my carry-on just in case my luggage gets lost. If you remember from PFW a few years ago– I had to learn that lesson the hard way.

Be sure to check out this post here, for more of my in-flight tips and tricks!

PIN IT

There you have it, I applied the KonMari method to my suitcase and felt the most organized I’ve ever been in a while! Do you guys have any packing tips that ‘Spark Joy’ on your end? I’d love to hear them! Drop a comment down below!

Photography by Emi Rose Website | Instagram | Hair & Makeup by Archangel Chelsea
Jeans: Paige | Sneakers: Schutz | Coat: NANUSHKA
Location: NoMad Hotel DTLA