Pack Like a Pro

Choose a palette (e.g. black, navy, sand). Every piece works with every other piece, which means every outfit decision is instant.

Five tops, two bottoms, one warm layer, one shell. That's a wardrobe for almost any climate combined with proper laundry stops every five to seven days.

Pack everything on the bed two days before you leave. Wear nothing new on the trip — only clothes you've already tested for a full day at home.

Then remove half. Travel rewards the smaller bag every single time: faster transit, lower fees, less to lose, more freedom to move.

The rule for clothes: 3 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 jacket, 1 outfit slightly nicer than the rest. Anything more is anxiety, not packing.

Three packing cubes: one for tops, one for bottoms, one for socks/underwear. Open suitcase = three blocks, not chaos.

Compression cubes for jackets and bulky items only. Don't compress everything — you lose the fast access.

One rule: nothing loose in the bag. Every item lives in a cube, a pouch or a pocket. Loose items are lost items.

Cold climates: thermal base layer, mid-layer, shell. Three thin layers beat one thick coat in every situation — including the moment the heating in the train is set to 28°C.

Hot climates: linen, cotton, light merino. Skip black, skip polyester. Two ultralight long-sleeves are better than three t-shirts — sun protection, mosquito protection, evening warmth.

Mixed climates: pack for the cold one, plan to buy a hat or sandals at destination. Buying small at destination is cheaper than carrying the wrong gear for two weeks.

'Just in case' is the most expensive phrase in packing. Three pairs of shoes turn into one worn pair and two carried weights. Bring two pairs, max.

Toiletries are the second offender. Most countries sell shampoo. A 50 ml bottle covers two weeks and you can refill anywhere.

Books are the third. One paperback or an e-reader is enough. Carrying three hardcovers is a love letter to your back pain.