10 ways to make your bag lighter

2. Play each day (and what attire you expect to wear) Odds are you�ve also got a trip itinerary set out. So, go into a little more depth and take the time to play each day out, down to the clothes you expect to be wearing. This way you won�t be packing anything you don�t need.

3. Lists, lists and more lists! When it comes to trip preparation, planning is key. Really scrutinise the first list you make and redraft once you�ve eliminated the items you can do without. You�ll be surprised how many things you won�t use when you�re away.

4. Don�t worry about bringing more than one pair of jeans Jeans can be a useful clothing item to have up your sleeve, but they also tend to weigh a bit. Stick to one pair and bring some khakis or dress pants as alternatives.

5. Go light on the accessories It�s nice to have a range of scarves, ties, jewellery and belts to mix things up in day-to-day life, but when you�re on holiday functionality is key. Go light on the accessories and make sure you�re only bringing items you need while you�re away.

6. Be smart about your towels Bath towels take up much-needed suitcase space, they weigh a tonne and are a nightmare to dry. Instead of bringing your own, just use the hotels! Or if you really need to have one, a sports-based microfibre towel is a much lighter option.

7. Don�t go overboard with toiletries You might have your favourite brand of shampoo, toothpaste and soap, but if these items are going to be supplied by the hotel bringing your own version with you is an absolute waste.

8. Don�t be afraid to do the laundry It might not seem like a very appealing prospect when you�re on holidays but doing the laundry will allow you to wear clothes multiple times when you�re overseas.

9. Pack outside your bag before putting it in your suitcase Pack everything you think you need and lay it on your bed, next to your suitcase. Visualising how much space everything takes up when it�s not in the bag will be a good way to get a sense of the sort of items you can leave behind.

10. Weigh it before you leave A luggage scale is a valuable investment. The night before you leave weigh your bag and walk around with it a bit. Ask yourself if you�re going to be comfortable carrying it around.