Travel Packing Tips: Q&A with Samsonite

As the year draws to a close, it’s finally time to feed that nagging wanderlust of yours. Then, it won’t be long before the great dilemma of what to pack for that long awaited holiday sets in. To save your compact Marshmallow tote the agony of being stuffed to the brim – worse still, sat on after squeezing in the last jumper – we’ve asked Samsonite for some life hacks on how to pack light, and right!

Marie France Asia: What is the one thing that can always be compromised on to save space in one’s luggage?

Samsonite: Shoes are always a major point of deliberation for many fashionistas. We suggest bringing a pair of black heels for nights out in town and a comfortable pair of flats when you are touring the city. Make sure that they are in easy-to-match colours and designs so that you do not have to worry about looking mismatched on your vacation. Another option is to also add fancy socks or stockings to the collection for that ‘dramatic’ impact.

Marie France Asia: Many people like to travel to winter countries, which means thicker clothing and bulkier baggage. How would you recommend packing for such countries to maximise space?

Samsonite: When traveling to cold countries, pick a classic coat that would go well with all your inner wear. We recommend bringing separates so that you can mix and match to create multiple looks with the same number of outfits, reducing the number of apparels you would need to bring on your trip. We also recommend that you carry your jacket with you on the flight as you can pass it to the flight stewardess for storage in the coat cabinets on board the flight. In this manner, you end up having additional space in your wardrobe + a crease free coat upon arrival.

Alternatively, go for a layered look as you don’t want to face the dilemma of being too hot with your coat, or too cold without.

Marie France Asia: What is the most efficient way of packing clothes? Does rolling really work? 

Samsonite: Yes, rolling does help but it may not be the best solution depending on what you are bringing! Depending on the type of material eg: cotton or cotton mix materials – rolling up your shirts, trousers and dresses into tightly-packed tubes, can be a good solution for space optimization. Rolling also results in fewer creases than folding. However for business travels, it may be better to fold shirts and pack it into the shirt bag to prevent creases.

Marie France Asia: Ziplock bags are a possible alternative to save space, however it does not lighten one’s luggage. Any recommendations for budget travellers?

Samsonite: Purchase travel size toiletries at your destination, as they are usually readily available and invest in some lightweight packing kit bags for packing. Alternatively, look for accommodations that provide amenities you need so that you can leave necessities like towels, combs, toothbrush, toothpaste and hairdryer at home.

Marie France Asia: Packing for Fashion Week entails squeezing many of our heels and hats into our luggage, of which require utmost protection and care. How does one safely pack all these into their luggage, while maximising space at the same time?

Samsonite: Paper-wrap them to avoid dirt and scratches before stacking them into a shoe bag at the bottom of the bag to avoid damage. You can wrap small items in plastic bags and slot them inside your shoes to maximize the space usage.

We recommend placing hats in the hand-carry as they can be easily damaged or lose its shape due to dents.

Marie France Asia: How would you recommend packing light, yet not compromising on style?

Samsonite: Stay stylish on your trip with neutral staples, a couple of statement pieces, a little black dress that could go well for most occasions and do not forget to accessorize. Be playful with your ensembles and mix and match your separates to create different looks on your travel.

May you never have to face the threat of exploding seams ever again!

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Annabelle Chew