As we plan trips over the holidays, there always a lot we need to account for: accommodations, travel fare, itinerary—and packing. Whether you’re visiting your mom in the Midwest or planning a respite from the cold by booking a trip to Cabo, it takes some effort to pack so that your clothes don’t arrive in a jumbled mess. Our guide will help you take a strategic approach to packing, so that your clothes arrive wrinkle-free and ready for holiday fun.

A guide to packing wrinkle-free clothes

1. Roll up soft fabrics
Clothes made of soft fabrics like cotton T-shirts and knitwear can be rolled up tightly and tucked into your suitcase as the bottom layer. Doing so not only saves space, but also prevents these items from wrinkling.

2. Fold structured and synthetic garments
Both synthetic fabrics (like polyester, nylon and Lycra) and structured garments (like jeans, button-down shirts and blazers) should be folded and placed as the next layer in your suitcase. Synthetics are wrinkle-resistant and travel-friendly—you can easily pull them out and throw them on as soon as you reach your destination. For structured clothes, place a layer of tissue paper or a plastic bag in between each folded item. This will cause less friction on the fabrics and help to reduce creasing.

3. Use mesh bags for delicates
Fold and place lingerie, underwear and swimwear in mesh laundry bags, which will keep them organized and protected. In the event your bag is inspected, your delicates can be seen without being touched.

4. Place clothes prone to wrinkles in a plastic dry cleaning bag
Packing silk garments or cocktail dresses can be tough. A plastic dry cleaning bag is the key to keeping silks and special occasion attire looking smooth; the plastic protects your clothes by reducing friction, which creates wrinkles. Fold each garment carefully, following the natural shape of the item, and use one plastic bag per garment. Pack these pieces last so that they can be laid atop all your other clothes.

5. Fill empty space
Ensure all your belongings are packed tightly in the suitcase and don’t have room to get jostled around. To fill space, fit shoes (in dust bags) into crevices between clothing, and line the perimeter with accessories or toiletry bags.

What to wear to the airport

Traveling can be tricky when your departure city has a totally different temperature than your destination. In this case, layers are your best friend—you can add or subtract warmth as necessary.

Basking in sunshine at home but expecting a blizzard at your destination? Put on as much clothing as you can handle, without overheating, when you’re headed to the airport. Pack a heavy sweater and thick blanket scarf in your carry-on bag, so you can throw them on upon arrival.

If you’re facing the opposite challenge, dress warmly but ensure you’re wearing layers, such as a button-down shirt or cardigan that you can easily remove once you arrive.

What to do upon arrival

It’s inevitable that some attire will get a little crumpled during transit. When you reach your destination, immediately hang garments like dresses, button-down shirts, silk blouses and dress pants on sturdy hangers so they can relax and not wrinkle any further.

To get any wrinkles out, a handheld steamer is an excellent travel companion. If you’re in a pinch, hanging clothes in the bathroom while you’re taking a hot steamy shower will help smooth out your garments.

These packing hacks will make for a well-organized suitcase, a wrinkle-free wardrobe and a comfortable travel day outfit. That leaves just one thing to do: enjoy your trip!

Photos: Leszek Czerwonka / Shutterstock.com, Master-L / Shutterstock.com, Luis Llerena, Africa Studio / Shutterstock.com

Believe it or not, spring is here! Not spring-ready? Don’t sweat it. Here’s our official cheat sheet to help you say goodbye to winter, and hello to spring.

• Transition your clothes! Clear the winter wear out of your closet and dresser, and refresh with spring appropriate pieces. A leaner wardrobe not only empowers you to live a tidier, happier life, but will also save you hours of time spent searching. And less time digging through your closet means more time enjoying the warmer weather!

  Pro-tip: before packing away your winter clothes, clean them! Why? For starters, bugs are attracted to odors - even ones undetectable to us humans - and will find your dirty sweater irresistible. Those odors may also settle in over time, giving you an unpleasant surprise next fall when you pull that sweater out again. And pay special attention to stains - stains left on clothing can darken during storage and, like odors, attract bugs. Having your clothes washed, folded and dry-cleaned (especially important for winter coats) will ensure that your garments stay much safer and fresher for much longer.

• Store your seasonal stuff! ​Thanks to on-demand services like Clutter, making space in your home has never been easier. Clutter comes to you, packs your stuff, and then hauls it away to its secure storage facility. Need your stuff back? Go online to browse your photo inventory and schedule a delivery with the click of a button. Clutter is perfect for all those winter accessories you know you don’t need for awhile – from your holiday decorations and coats, to your skis and snowboards.

For $50 off Clutter, mention code RINSE50 when checking out.
 

• Anything left over? Being truly spring-ready also means spring cleaning. Open up your closets and use Post-It notes to label each item as “Keep,” “Store,” “Donate” or “Sell.” Rinse has several partnerships with local charity programs, including St. Anthony’s Free Clothing Program, Out of the Closet, and Goodwill in San Francisco.

Whether your closet looks like you were just visited by Marie Kondo or a Dothraki Horde, we could all do with a couple organization tips to keep our closet manageable and our clothes in optimal condition.

It’s okay, these organization tips will still be helpful long after the references above ;)

So read on! It’s time to clean up your closet and create a polished and personalized space that you can enjoy each time you get dressed.
 

Keep your daily essentials in the front row

You've heard the phrase "out of sight, out of mind"—while that usually applies to former flames, the same rule also works for closet organization.

Store your least-worn items at the back so you can dedicate prime closet real estate to your most beloved pieces. This will make getting dressed a lot more convenient, and you'll avoid the all-too-familiar situation of rummaging through the closet and ending up with a pile of discarded clothes on the floor or bed. 

Style tip: Organize your go-to accessories, like a classic watch or simple jewelry, on a small tray next to your closet. Having them visible will encourage you to wear them and give you a more complete and polished look.

Think like a pro: know when to fold 'em

It might seem basic, but improper storage can cause a garment to lose its shape. Make sure you properly note which items to fold and which items to hang.

Clothes you should fold: Gently fold delicate items such as cashmere sweaters and heavy knits. For extra care you can add a layer of acid-free tissue between garments.
Denim should also be folded, as hanging can cause it to stretch out in the wrong areas. Casual items such as T-shirts and tops can work both ways, based on personal preference.

Clothes you should hang: Keep your outerwear fresh by hanging them for storage. Your vintage leather jacket, silk blouse or suit would appreciate the extra TLC.
Invest in some flocked hangers with velvet lining to keep your choice garments in mint condition. As always, any cocktail attire is best stored in a garment bag.

Out of season items don’t need prime real estate

Before putting anything in the closet at the end of each season, make sure your clothes are prepped for storage.

Launder items as needed, or send your clothes to a trusted dry cleaner for professional service—especially important for winter coats. This removes any scents or stains, as moths are attracted to undetectable smells.

Don't forget to clean your closet at least once per season (it can get dusty). It's also a good idea to go through and remove any items you don't wear on a regular basis. Consider selling or donating the pieces that are in good condition—doing so will help keep your closet organized as well as help those in need.

The elements of style: invest in the right storage

The essentials: Storage bins are your best friend. Instead of unsightly plastic bins, consider linen storage organizers. Fabric organizers help your clothing stay fresh by allowing air to circulate. Try borrowing elements from Scandinavian decor, such as a set of wooden or copper hangers, to help your closet achieve a minimalist and uniformed aesthetic.

The extras: Personalizing your space does not always require an involved process. Switching out little things can make a huge difference, such as adding some decorative items or art in or around your wardrobe. You can also paint or wallpaper the inside of your closet to inject a little more color and personal style.

Fill some sachets with dried lavender buds and place them in your closet to keep your clothes smelling great and repel any moths that might be creeping around your wardrobe—it's a pleasantly scented alternative to using moth balls.

Cedar chests are also a smart choice for woolens, as Red Cedar has natural oils that kill moth larvae (it's a good idea to first put the clothing in a resealable plastic bag for more protection).

While closet maintenance might seem like a chore, keeping these tips in mind will help you streamline the process and stay organized. Just like a morning workout or healthy breakfast, a well organized closet and easy to access closet helps set the right tone for the day -- the great one that you deserve!

 

Photos: WorldWide / Shutterstock.com, Chelsea Francis, Milada Vigerova, Crew, Mary Whitney