I recently helped a friend of mine “pack light” for her upcoming European vacation, so I thought the topic was a perfect travel tip post! Here are a few packing tips to keep in mind before you embark on your next adventure:

Roll, don’t Fold.
Tightly rolling your clothing helps make things more compact and allows for much tighter packing.

Try on your outfits!
Before you begin shoving things in to your suitcase, it’s always a great idea to spread out your outfits on the floor or bed to see exactly what you plan on taking. Be sure to count how many outfits you will need for your trip and then try them on!

Don’t pack anything you don’t absolutely love.
If you try something on and you’re not convinced…don’t pack it! Instead, consider changing up an outfit you really like by maybe throwing on a scarf or different jacket.

Packing light?
Limit your footwear, accessories and handbags. For example: pick one pair of comfy sandals, one pair of athletic shoes and a pair of casual flats. It’s best to keep things simple. On our most recent trip to Switzerland, I knew I only had room for 2 pairs of shoes. I packed a pair of Nikes for walking/hiking and a pair of comfy flats for strolling to dinner or nearby sights. I wore my converse sneakers on the plane and knew they would be my go-to option on days we’d be doing lots of walking!

Consider using packing cubes.
Cubes will not only keep your items organized but will also allow for more room. I recently purchased this set  and I’m a big fan of them. I’ll be honest…before a friend recommended them, I had no idea what packing cubes were but I’m so glad that I own them now!

Leave a little space for souvenirs.
It’s always a good idea to leave a little room in your suitcase just in case you decide to bring home a few souvenirs. We made this mistake while traveling in Italy! We were convinced we wouldn’t need any extra room because what could we possibly want to bring back from Italy? Obviously we were newbies to the whole Italian scene. We ended up having to purchase a suitcase to bring home wine, pasta, olive oil, leather goods, pizza, gelato…you name it – it was probably in that suitcase.