IF they handed out awards for best packing, every boldfacer would at least deserve a nomination. After all, practice makes perfect, right? We asked a handful of celebs, A-listers and other on-the-go names you know to reveal the real science of suitcasing.
Nancy O’Dell
Get a suitcase with lots of compartments because that keeps it organized for you. You need to make sure your toiletries are put into a plastic bag inside your suitcase because I’ve had numerous occasions where they explode and get all over your clothes. Rolling your clothes is a good way to make things fit, that ordinarily won’t fit. Or, ship ahead of time! That way you won’t have to carry as much.
Aretha Franklin
If you have cleaning, leave the cleaning bags over the clothes. When you get where you’re going, you won’t have to steam or iron. Just leave the clear plastic over the clothes.
Helena Christensen
I’m so bad at packing, after all these years, I take way too much stuff with me and I only use two or three pieces when I get to my destination. So, I’m probably the worst person you could ask. But, definitely a roller with wheels.
Stella McCartney
Don’t pack! Don’t go anywhere!
Joss Stone
You know what I did? It’s so funny you ask me now because, when I left home in England this time, I was so knackered – I had only been home for a couple seconds. And I was leaving, at like 5 a.m. in the morning, so, in a way I packed a surprise suitcase which was a really, silly thing to do. So, my advice for packing would be focus and make a list. It’s all about lists. I fail to do so all the time. It’s terrible. And it’s very unorganized with me. So, lists are the best thing in the world.
Elvis Costello
Don’t put all your socks at the bottom of the case ’cause you’re going to be walking around barefoot.
Lewis Black
Send everything ahead. Seriously, don’t make yourself crazy in the airport. Especially if you’ve got a big suitcase – just bite the bullet and send it! It’s better $100 to send the thing than to end up having to see a shrink or get arrested in the airport because they’re going through your crap!
Lauren Conrad
I’m an awful packer! I pack right before I leave, so I’m the worst person to ask. I normally leave extra room because I always shop when I go places because I forget things.
Suze Orman
Only pack what you can carry! I never check luggage, ever, ever, ever. I don’t want to lose what I have.
Cynthia Rowley
I travel really light. Only bring what you can carry yourself. I never check luggage. I have a Ghurka duffle bag; that’s it. One duffle bag, no matter what. Sometimes my whole family shares it – one duffle bag! We all travel really light.
Karl Lagerfeld
I’m very good at it. But I have one problem – I always pack too much. I always have too much luggage.
Dylan Lauren
Rolling things up, like T-shirts, they take up less room. Miniature bottles, so that you can put things in smaller compartments. You end up not using the whole bottle, anyway. Ziploc bags, rather than cosmetic bags ’cause they’re easier.
Mario Lopez
I’m a roller, yeah, I roll. My cousin’s in the army and that’s what he showed me. Everything is rolled real tight. I fit everything in a carry-on bag.
interviews conducted at the Friars Club roast of Matt Lauer; the Accessories Council ACE Awards; at the Hard Rock Cafe WHY campaign benefit; Sundance Channel launch for “Spectacle: Elvis Costello With… “; at the Avon Foundations Award Celebration: The Hope Honors; the Fashion Group International’s Night of 1000 Stars; at the re-launch of Dylan’s Candy Bar; at the opening of Lucky Strike Lanes NYC.