The Art of Packing Like You Know Where You're Going

FIELD NOTES

Real talk: nobody wants to be that person dragging three suitcases through cobblestone streets or buying an emergency bag at the airport (we've all been there). Here's your cheat code to packing like someone who knows what they're doing.

You know that friend who glides through airports looking like they've just stepped out of a magazine, while somehow fitting two weeks of their life into a carry-on? Yeah, we're about to spill their secrets. Because nothing kills the main character energy faster than wrestlin g with overstuffed bags in front of that cute boutique hotel you booked. Here's your guide to packing like someone who's done this before.

The Golden Rules of Packing (from people who live out of suitcases)

RULE 1

Pack like a minimalist, land like a main character. Only bring the fits you know you'll wear – your Instagram grid will thank you.
Pro tip: If your phone can do it, leave the extra tech at home. Today's filters hit different anyway.
RULE 2

The non-negotiables? Roll don't fold (trust us on this one), and always pack your heavy hitters at the bottom. Think of it as building the perfect foundation for your travel story (and leaving room for the in-destination stars of the show).
RULE 3

Travel like Lenny on the street: Your bulkiest items? Wear them. That oversized coat you absolutely need for one night in Paris? Make it your travel outfit. It's called strategic dressing, and it works.
RULE 4

For the stuff that could mess with your vibe (we're looking at you, wet shoes and sandy fits), plastic bags are your secret weapon. Not glamorous, but neither is opening your suitcase to find your white linen anything... not so white anymore.
RULE 5

Here's the insider tip nobody tells you: Leave space for the pieces you haven't found yet. Whether it's that vintage find from a hidden Tokyo boutique or that impossibly cool ceramic from a Moroccan souk – your future self will thank you. Everyone needs a random trinket.
RULE 6

My arch nemesis. Liquids. The enemy of effortless travel. If it can leak, it will – usually all over your favorite something. Keep them under 100ml and locked down in clear bags, or better yet? Let your hotel hook you up with the basics. Zero Waste Travel kits are also a vibe.
RULE 7

Final thought: The best packers aren't the ones who bring everything – they're the ones who know exactly what they need. And sometimes, that's just a carry-on and the confidence to figure out the rest.