June 22, 2023

ME AND MY SUITCASE: HOW-TO FOR THE PERFECT LUGGAGE

Summer, departure time. Whether you dedicate yourself to relaxing on the beach, climbing the mountains or exploring cities of art, it is the approach you take to the journey and the suitcase you choose as your adventure companion that makes all the difference. In fact, a recent survey carried out by an Italian "travel" magazine confirmed that, for more than 60% of those interviewed, the preparation of trolleys and backpacks represents for more than 60% of the interviewees a source of stress and for 32% a source of anxiety. According to the data collected, it is not only the selection of "what to bring" (76%) that creates difficulties, but above all "what to leave" in the wardrobe (85%).


In fact, when one moves from home, there is a psychological (unconscious) need to carry all those accessories, clothes and objects that, by their nature or daily use, are reassuring. The suitcase, from a simple container, thus becomes a comfort zone in which to store part of one's daily life. It is a shame that the spirit with which to embark on a journey should be exactly the opposite: to close every habit in a drawer, to aim for the essential, to break out of pre-constituted schemes, to allow oneself to discover new places and to be confronted with realities other than the usual ones.

Even the ideal luggage should conform to this "light" approach which, besides having merits for the body - a suitcase can even weigh 30 kg with repercussions not to be underestimated for muscles and tendons called upon to exert excessive effort - has also merits for the mind, called upon to put aside intrusive ideas and bulky reflections in favour of lightness.

Objective lightness

One trip is not like another, and even your suitcase must take this into account. Before preparing it, it is best to plan your journey and then make a well-considered list of the essentials to take with you.
This list requires an effort, however: eliminate all those frills that would only take up space. Whether sea, mountains or cultural destinations, before embarking on the preparations, a good tip is to consider the climate of each destination and choose clothes and accessories that can be easily matched. Even the duration of the holiday should not be underestimated, but always playing by subtraction: "less is more"  is not only a philosophy promoted by the fashion world, but a good globetrotter practice.

 

First: choosing the right suitcase

Classic hard cases, practical trolleys or backpacks: to start a trip on the right foot, the first choice concerns the type of luggage. To give an example: if the holiday is concentrated in a few days and involves an airline flight - or a train - a cabin suitcase with a good structure, resistant to knocks, secure closure, high portability and extreme ease of movement may suffice. The ideal solution is a suitcase with wheels and a telescopic handle or a modular backpack for easy movement, which is also perfect for those who prefer walking, cycling or motorcycling. The car certainly gives you more ease, but it also has the risk of giving you no limits. Aiming for a smaller suitcase is always beneficial, because it requires you to experiment with your ability to adapt and go to the point, focusing only on truly indispensable items.

How to organise clothes and accessories

It all starts with Marie Kondō who, in addition to being the author of best-sellers such as "The Magic Power of Tidying Up" and "96 Lessons of Happiness", is above all the creator of the "KonMari method", a system designed to tidy up living spaces in order to improve the quality of life. From wardrobe to suitcase, the steps are short and the techniques similar. The golden rule is one: roll up your clothes to make them compact. 
Ten easy steps to prepare a Zen suitcase:
1- find a free space in the room to lay a suitcase, trolley or backpack;
2- realistically calculate how many clothes you need for the trip, remove them from the wardrobe and lay them on the bed;
3- compile a list of what to bring, indicating the number of items in each category (e.g. 2 pjs, 10 undershirts, 3 long trousers, 5 Bermuda shorts, 5 briefs, 2 swimsuits);
4- create a special section for accessories;
5- prepare a bag with medicines and one with toiletries, focusing on mini-packs for creams and liquids and on unisex products;
6- roll up each item in the different categories one at a time like a roll or origami;
7- place them in one of the two halves of the suitcase, arranging them by category;
8- in the other free part of the luggage place the accessories interlocking, avoiding leaving empty spaces;
9- in the corners put small things (clothes clips, socks,) placed in small bags;
10- Go!

The 7 Julipet must-haves to pack

  • Pjs
  • Briefs/boxer shorts
  • Underwear t-shirt
  • Swimsuit
  • Bathrobe and/or beach towel
  • Bermuda shorts
  • T-shirt