How to pack light according to these female frequent travelers

Whether for a weekend trip or a month-long adventure, most travelers have a tendency to overpack, bringing more than what they need and return home with clothes they haven't worn or products and accessories they never used. If you think you've experienced this one too many times, here are some tried and tested tips from female frequent travelers who have mastered the art of packing light.

1. Roll your clothes

Actress Isabelle de Leon prefers to roll her clothes instead of folding them. "I usually roll my shirts instead of folding them. It will give you a lot of space."

It also helps to pack using a small bag according to Rita Daniela. "I pack using the smallest bag I have. We have the tendency to overpack when we have a large bag. We fill up whatever space is left, so it gets heavier. If you have a small bag, you make do with the little space you have."

2. Bring things that can serve multiple uses

Anything that can serve more than one purpose cuts down the amount of stuff you pack. For Gretchen Filart of the travel blog Filipina Explorer, it's important to bring things with multiple uses.

"Example is a pair of shoes or sandals that you can wear for various activities; a shawl which can double as a headscarf, a picnic mat, or an emergency changing room; and a light sports jacket that is windproof/ waterproof and which you can use for other activities like hiking instead of a heavy, glitzy winter jacket," she shares.

Mirra Reyes, who works as a vacation planner for her family's resort in Coron, Casa Fidelis, also swears by bringing a 'malong.'

"It can be used as a blanket for cold provincial bus rides, towel if your accommodations don't provide any, sarong for beach lounging, portable dresser for changing on the go, and cover if you need to pee in the middle of nowhere."

Isabelle also brings only two items in her makeup kit if she's not traveling for work. "Just two items, lipstick and concealer, because my lipstick can be used as a blush as well. You don't really have to pack a lot. You just have to be smart with the items you're going to bring. It should serve at least more than one purpose."

3. Know your destination

It also pays to know your destination and even your accommodation, before you start packing.

"Plan activities accordingly. Research about the environmental conditions in your destination, including weather and terrain. Plan your wardrobe according to those things. I put a premium on ease of movement and comfort above anything else," says Gretchen, "And it pays to know your accommodation. If they have towels and soap in your room, don't bring one."

When it comes to packing winter clothes, choose one that will match your outfits, says Mirra. "Jackets and thermals are the bulkiest to bring when going somewhere cold. Unzip them for photos so people will see you change inners, too."

4. "If you think you might need it, don't pack it"

Overpacking usually stems from bringing items which we think we might need during the trip, but ending up not using anyway. Many are guilty of this, so Gretchen shares her mantra.

"When packing, I think of this: If you think you might need it, don't pack it. If you know you need it, then pack it. Usually, you're able to discard a lot of non-essentials just doing that. A lot of the things that make a bag bulky are those that were brought because 'I might need it later.'"

For Rita, packing light also minimizes the time you spend unpacking when you get home. "I pack light as much as possible. Because when I travel, I want to bring home something from that place. I know that I am going to shop there, so I need to have space in my bag for my purchases. And it's a nice feeling to not bring home a lot of things because I have less stuff to return to my closet."