07 January,2010 08:13 AM IST | | Fiona Fernandez
Packing for a happy-go-luck break only to realize that your suitcase has enough to provide for an island in the South Pacific? Fret not, a few handy hints and quick fix solutions will transform you into the world's smartest and lightest traveller.
If you are travelling in winter and your suitcase is gasping for breath, wear or carry along the thickest jacket for your journey, along with your bulkiest pair of shoes.
Leave behind full-size toiletry essentials. Instead, invest in travel size pouches or put your favourite products in refillable, plastic bottles and jars.
Group small items in see-through containers or self-sealing plastic bags.
For sun-baked holidays, a sarong can be a woman traveller's best pal. Beach towel, cover-up, bed sheet, travel pillow, emergency head cover, scarf, skirt for visits to religious sites, a hat for dusty desert trips and it can be rolled into a tiny bundle.
Looking great on your trip is important; select clothes that are low-maintenance. Knits, polyester and cotton blends work best here.
Roll casual clothes where creases don't matter and maximise space.
Don't waste space -- fill the corners and pockets with socks and small unbreakable essentials.
A big handbag or a laptop bag with compartments, can be your best companion -- it's a mini suitcase to stash away things you might need during travel as well as the leftovers that didn't make it to your main luggage.
How to fold a shirt so it doesn't crease when you pack it
>>Take your ironed shirt and place it on a flat surface with collar facing up. Do up the collar button, and then all the the rest.
>>Square up the shirt by lining the side seams under the arm hole. Using the back of your hand, flick the rumples from the front of the shirt so that the shoulders are even and the front of the shirt is flat.
>>Pick it up by the shoulders, off the surface, turn it around and place it face down. Straighten out the back of the shirt.
>>Put an A4 piece of card paper onto the back of the shirt, just below the centre of the collar. Pick up the side nearest to you and fold it against the card. Turn the sleeve so that it lies parallel along the shirt's fold.
>>Repeat previous step with other side. Fold up the end of the shirt and cuffs. Place your left hand on the shirt at the end of the card. With the folded tail in your right hand, bring it up to the base of the back of the collar.
>>Gently remove the card and turn the shirt over. Straighten any imperfections so that the shirt looks symmetrical.
