This is actually an extension of my previous post, “Consider The Size”. I am going to share some thoughts on packing light – as in carry on suitcase only.

Firstly, for me, the absolute best thing is coordinating colour so I can mix and match pretty much everything I take. If you are creative this serves you well as you can pull together several different outfits while actually packing very few items of clothing. Basic black cannot be beat for a couple of reasons. It doesn’t show the dirt (read less laundry here) and it goes with every other colour you might wish to match it with. And don’t forget about that black Pashmina that is a blanket on the airplane, a head and shoulder cover when needed in some churches, a shawl to go with that little black dress in the evening, and a beach blanket if desperate – perfect!

Another packing tip is to roll everything – honestly I have done this so many times and it works brilliantly. Rolled things seem to miraculously take up less space. I roll everything separately but I have read that some travellers prefer to roll total outfits – for example the t-shirt, capri pants, and sweater combo gets laid on top of each other and rolled together. Using this method you could reach into your suitcase grab virtually any roll and it would work – no thought required – stress free dressing. It’s like front end loading, which isn’t a bad thing!

I can hear some of you saying, sure, rolling everything might take up less space but what about how it looks – bet it would still need ironing. Ironing? Are you crazy – who the heck wants to iron on holidays! Don’t know about you, but ironing in my house is practically a thing of the past. So, no, most rolled items do not need ironing either; which is rather surprising, but trust me I don’t pack an iron in my carry on and have never regretted it. And yes, I even roll that little black dress that works with sandals for morning-market shopping or with bits of bling for cocktail-sipping terrace hopping.

Of course fabric selection is right up there with rolling. Always try to travel with knit fabrics that stretch and are forgiving wrinklewise as well as wastelinewise for those times when you find you’ve indulged in one too many gelatos and need a few extra inches to accommodate the splurge. I struggle with this because I love 100% cotton which as many of you know, is not a wrinkle free fabric but still I manage and no one has ever barred me from entering because my wrinkles were showing – on my clothes that is!

So consider rolling the next time you travel. If you think I’m crazy, try it with a few items first.  You’ll be a convert in no time.