9 Packing tips for your summer trips

Whilst on my travels I have been road-testing and wearing lots of pieces from our new collection and thought I'd share some packing tips that I've honed after 25 years travelling back and forward to India!

 Make a list: Before you start packing, make a list of all the items you need to bring with you. This will help you remember everything you need and ensure that you don't forget anything important in a last minute panic! We think we need millions of options, but writing a list of key pieces that you can interchange and wear on repeat will keep your case below the weight limit! On which note...

Choose the right suitcase: Make sure you choose a suitcase that is the appropriate size for your trip. If you're only going away for a few days, you probably don't need that huge trunk! It's also true, the bigger case you take - the more you will pack!

 

Roll your clothes: Rolling your clothes instead of folding them will save you space and help prevent wrinkles. It's also easier to find what you need when you're unpacking. Once you reach your destination, hang your cotton clothes in a steamy bathroom as you shower to help the creases fall out.

Pack your shoes carefully: Use shoe bags (or reuse our cotton shoppers that all our garments come in!) to keep your shoes separate from your clothes. This will help keep your clothes clean and your cotton shoppers can also double-up as laundry bags.

Use packing cubes: Packing cubes are a great way to keep your clothes organized and separated. They're also a great way to save space in your suitcase. When travelling between numerous cities in India, it also helps when I have a short layover for me to grab what I need.

Don't buy travel-sized toiletries: Try to avoid the urge to buy specific travel-size toiletries - decant what you need into reusable bottles, or (like I do) use it as an excuse to stock up on amazing toiletries at your destination, that you can bring home and enjoy - who doesn't love an Ayurvedic beauty haul!? Our washbags and cosmetics cases are really roomy for larger toiletries.

Don't forget your layers: Depending on your destination, chances are when the sun goes down, or if you are doing any early morning excursions - you will need to throw on a warmer layer. Our quilted jackets are perfect for this - made with 100% natural fibres, such as cotton and lyocell, they add warmth without overheating.

Wear your bulkiest items: If you're bringing bulky items like a winter coat or boots, wear them on the plane to save space in your suitcase.

Leave space: It may sound obvious but you don't want to travel to your destination without room in your suitcase for any purchases you may make - no judgement here! That is how Dilli Grey was born, when friends and family asked me to bring back block-print treasures from my early trips. And as they say, the rest is history!