How to Pack for a Fall Weekend

The foundation of perfect packing is a good suitcase–it’s one of the best investments you can make. Spinner wheels on luggage make it easy to move through airports, no matter how tight your connection, retractable side handles are often ideal for providing a bit of give should your vacation shopping get a bit out-of-hand (no judgment), and hard-shell luggage helps protect against bumps in the road.

Investing in packing perfection doesn’t stop with your suitcase, though. The more presentable your clothes look, the fewer you’ll need to pack–and that’s why we swear by investing in gadgets that are guaranteed to keep things looking fresh. Our picks? A Nori press handheld steamer is a space-saving way to keep clothes looking polished, and a travel jewelry case can help ensure you’re accessorizing with ease.

Packing cubes, packing cubes, packing cubes. You’ve likely heard it said before–and that’s for good reason. They’re an amazing way to save space by compressing your belongings, not to mention, if you categorize things properly, you’ll feel extra-organized, too. The only downside is that they can add weight to a suitcase, so if you’re checking a bag and are worried about limits–it’s likely best to avoid. Otherwise, we’re all-in.

Rolling clothes is one of the simplest–but most effective–ways to save space in your suitcase. Packing rolled clothes has the effect of vacuum sealing; the roll squeezes air from between folds, allowing you extra space for whatever else you need. Added bonus? Rolling can also help reduce wrinkles.

Speaking of feeling organized, we swear by planning outfits every day in advance of whatever trips we go on and editing down accordingly. Many fashion editors swear by planning your wardrobe around a few classic pieces: to start–a crisp white button-down, a great pair of denim, and a white t-shirt are wardrobe workhorses that can easily translate from day to night when properly styled. When the weather is colder–there’s no reason you need more than one sweater (opt for a versatile hue like camel, cream, navy, or black) and one pair of boots (same note on the versatile colorway)–just pack lightweight pieces to style it with to keep it feeling fresh the whole trip long.

Fall weather can be unpredictable–mud, rain, and dirt often abound. We swear by bringing a dust bag for shoes to ensure that the dirt doesn’t spread, even when you’re done wearing them. It’s a simple tip that will save you a lot of trouble–and money on a dry-cleaning bill once your home.