How to maximise your cabin bag

With many airlines now charging almost as much to check in a suitcase as the fares themselves, packing a cabin bag is the smart way to travel. However, seeing how much space just the bare essentials take up will have you wishing for Mary Poppins’ endless carpet bag. Magic aside, there are ways to make a compact case work harder – with some simple tricks, you might even be left with space to bring home a souvenir or two. Here’s how.

It sounds obvious, but shoes – boots in particular – and outerwear consume the most space, so wear these to the airport. Not sure if you’ll need a coat? It’s always best to be prepared, and a light jacket will help combat the aeroplane’s vigorous air-conditioning and any unexpectedly cool evenings.

If planning five days’ worth of separates feels like too big a task, reach for a relaxed trouser suit. Next, compile a tight edit of tops depending on occasion; this could mean a tee for casual sightseeing, a blouse or shirt if you need to look smart, and a silky camisole for dinner and drinks. Wear the blazer on the plane with jeans and roll the trousers up to pack in your bag. Simple!

On the subject of rolling, it’s a universally acknowledged space-saver – and it also helps avoid creasing. Hang up your items as soon as you arrive at your destination and you may just be able to avoid tracking down an iron.

You’re probably now at the stage where you’re realising a cabin case won’t fit the kitchen sink. But what you should remember is that the smallest pieces can often create the biggest impact. For example, resin earrings, a printed scarf you can tie into a headband and a bold lipstick is often all you need to master an impactful outfit, rather than trying to cram in a dress you’ll only wear once.

Small pouches are great for organising your case and maximising space. Use drawstring or zip-top bags for things like chargers, tech and clean underwear. On the way back, fill them with dirty laundry. Use dust bags to pack footwear and remember to fill your shoes with socks to create even more room.

If your toiletry bag is a space invader before it even has anything in it, it’s time to downgrade. A flat, nylon pouch is all you need for a few days, and look for plastic-free miniatures to make your space work even harder, such as shampoo bars and solid deodorants – these also have the added bonus of not needing to be declared as you pass through security.

Shoes take up precious space in a small bag, so take time to consider what you really need. For a weekend city break, you shouldn’t need more than two pairs of shoes (ankle boots or trainers for daytime which you can travel in, then something smarter for evening). Off on an adventure? Take to the skies in hiking boots and pack light trainers. Heels command a lot of space, so weigh up if they’ll actually see the light of day.