Ask a Club member: 14 ways to pack like a pro

Words: Tamara Hinson
Additional reporting: Emma Blackmore

From maximising your suitcase space to including some unexpected ‘essentials’, our Club members share their top tips to help you travel smarter and lighter. Whether you’re heading on a weekend getaway or a month-long expedition, these pointers will help you achieve packing perfection.

1. I’ve recently started using a new packing technique called the ‘packing sandwich’. Begin with a layer of flat items as the ‘bread’, then add a layer of rolled items in the middle and finish with another layer of flat items on top. This technique not only maximises space, but also helps reduce wrinkles, keeping your clothes neat and organised.
Kirsty Glenne, managing director at Antler

2. I travel with nearly empty skincare products or well-worn socks that are on their last legs. These items serve their final purpose on the road, after which they’re either recycled or discarded. This frees up space and eliminates the need to carry used items home – especially if laundry options are limited.
David Mahoney, founder David Mahoney Communications

3. My top tip is to pack a loose fabric softener sheet. It neutralises odours from shoes and clothes and keeps everything smelling fresh without taking up much space.
Hubert Viriot, CEO of YOTEL

4. Hotel minibars don’t always cut it, so I bring my own herbal teas, dark chocolate, electrolyte sachets and sometimes a mini bottle of something celebratory. Small indulgences, big impact.
Dr Ritz Birah, founder of Reflect with Dr Ritz

5. Wrap your hair tools in a silk pillowcase instead of bulky cases. Not only does it save suitcase space, but it also doubles as your holiday pillowcase to reduce frizz while you sleep. Hello shiny hair!
Yulia Rorstrom, founder Duck & Dry blow-dry salons

6. I plan my outfits in advance on a digital wardrobe app, so I know exactly what to pack rather than throw stuff in.
Stelu Grama, lifestyle influencer

7. Once I’ve packed clothes, I always add a few drops of lavender oil to my suitcase. When I open my suitcase, it smells fresh and comforting – exactly what you need after a long flight.
Boris Hodakel, founder of vegan collagen brand FEEL

8. I always have a travel toiletry bag packed so I never have to think about what to take – I just need to drop it in my suitcase.
Jo Hansford MBE, founder of Jo Hansford Salons

9. Wear your boots on the plane. Good footwear is heavy and bulky, and wearing boots on board saves vital packing space and ensures you’re ready for anything the moment you land.
Levison Wood, explorer

10. I always pack notes in at least three currencies – usually some euros, British pounds and US dollars in a money clip. This means I’m ready to tip people, including chauffeurs and bellhops.
Richard Cooke, managing director of London’s Brown’s Hotel

11. If you love to cook and are staying in self-catering accommodation (where kitchen knives can sometimes be blunt), pack a knife sharpener to get the best out of the knives provided.
Hugh Evans, singer and harmonica player in the Snake Oil Band

12. Check what the weather will be like at the destination and have appropriate clothing in your carry-on for the first day.
John Battleday, three-time Waterskiing World Championships medallist and waterskiing coach

13. I travel a lot for work and always pack an extension lead. Hotel rooms never seem to have sockets in convenient places, like next to a desk or by the bed, so this is a lifesaver for my laptop.
Thea Paraskevaides, founder of Classical Unlocked

14. This is a weird thing, but I always pack electrical tape in my toiletry bag. I use it to seal bottles before travelling so they don’t open in my bag, but it’s also handy to have just in case you need it.
Julia Boggio, author

Got a surprising travel tip? We want to hear it! For a future issue, we’re asking for your unusual inflight beauty hacks. What do you do on board to help you feel good and look great when you land? Email theclub@cedarcom.co.uk to share your wisdom (the more unexpected the better).

Please note that while we aim to showcase as many submissions as possible we may not be able to feature every tip we receive.