We’re Michelle Keegan’s wardrobe organisers – how to pack more holiday bits into your suitcase… even if it’s Ryanair
WE’VE all been there: standing over an open suitcase, staring at a mountain of clothes, shoes, and toiletries, and wondering how on earth we’re going to fit it all in.
Whether you’re jetting off to a city break or a long beach holiday, packing can be a stressful ordeal.
It can be especially stressful when we’re only taking hand luggage, as budget airline allowances are constantly shrinking.
All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board (no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm) but this must fit under the seat in front of you.
Easyjet has the same policy, except your hand luggage can be slightly bigger at 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, including wheels and handles.
Like Ryanair and Easyjet, Wizz Air passengers can only take a small cabin bag for free onto the plane – but it must weigh no more than 10kg and measure no more than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
So, what’s a girl to do when she’s got a whole lot of luggage and very little space to pack it in?
Luckily, celeb home and wardrobe organisers, The Style Sisters, have shared four hacks for maximising your luggage space.
The duo, made up of Charlotte Reddington and Gemma Lilly, have been transforming celeb homes for over six years.
Their expertise is savvy storage – from effectively packing clothes into wardrobes to organising kitchens for maximum convenience.
And now, they’re applying that knowledge to holiday packing.
Cube-tastic
Packing cubes are fabric containers to organise and compress clothes and in a suitcase – and the Style Sisters love them.
“We love using packing cubes to maximise space in smaller and larger cases as it makes packing easier and neater,” the duo told OK! Magazine.
“Everything can be packed into its own category, making it super organised and easy to unpack when you arrive.”
You can pick up a set for three for just £5 in IKEA.
Fold and roll, boys
It’s an age-old packing hack and the Style Sisters believe it deserves legendary status.
The Style Sisters Top 3 Decluttering Tips
Charlotte Reddington and Gemma Lilly have over 15 years experience decluttering and organising celebrity homes...
- Out with the old, before in with the new
“It may sound a little ruthless but a one in, one out rule in your home and wardrobe can be effective to avoid over accumulating items in your home,” they said.
“It can also make you more mindful about the purchases you are making.”
- Categorise and contain
“In any space, however big or small – from a utility room to your make-up box – organising items by category is the perfect way to keeping super organised,” they said.
“This allows you to know exactly where everything is and what you’ve got.
“Plus, it will make it super easy for the rest of the household to put away and keep tidy.”
- Storage, storage and more storage!
“Storage is key, especially if space is an issue in the home or if the room is used for items like storing toys for children,” they said.
“Consider decorative storage baskets, side boards with plenty of storage or even a media wall or bookshelves with doors.”
“This technique is going to be your best friend when you‘re packing,” they said.
“Simply fold in the arms or legs of the item to create a rectangular shape and then roll from the bottom upwards.
“It’s a perfect way to keep clothes as crease-free as possible and maximise space.”
Pouch perfect
“When you’re travelling for a couple of days and want to take smaller bottles of liquid products, refillable travel pouches are great,” Charlotte and Gemma said.
“Simply fill them with your chosen hair, skin and body products.
They also come with labels so you know what’s inside.”
The Boots Travel Pouch Set comes with four 100ml pouches and will set you back just £3.50.
Scentsational
The Style Sisters dubbed perfume atomisers as “the perfect solution” to taking your favourite scents abroad.
A perfume atomiser is a small, refillable spray bottle that you can pump your fragrances into.
“It’s perfect for travelling and so easy to use; you just refill it by pressing the pump,” Gemma and Charlotte said.
You can pick the Boots Travalo Perfume Pod Refillable Atomiser in hot pink for a cool £7.99.