How to Pack a Bebe Suitcase With Compression Straps

Open a bebe hardside suitcase and you will find two sides. One has X-shaped compression straps to hold clothes in place. The other has a zippered divider with a mesh pocket for smaller items. Fill both sides evenly, cinch the straps, and close the case without needing to sit on it.

What is inside

• Strap side: crossed straps that press folded clothes flat.
• Divider side: a zippered panel that closes over your items, with a mesh pocket for small things.
• Lining: a branded interior, often red, in most hardside collections. Check your model's listing for its exact lining.

Step-by-step packing

1. Lay the case flat and open both halves fully. A hardside case does not flex, so you need floor space.
2. Start with the strap side. Fold clothes into flat, even stacks. Roll soft items such as knitwear.
3. Cross and tighten the straps over the stack until it is firm, not crushed.
4. Fill the divider side. Put shoes, a toiletry bag or chargers here, with heavier items toward the wheel end.
5. Use the mesh pocket for socks, cables and small items you want to find quickly.
6. Zip the divider closed, then close the case.

Avoid overpacking

A hardside shell has little give. If the two halves do not close easily, take something out. Forcing a zipper closed, pressing on the case with your knee or sitting on it puts strain on the zipper and the teeth. Reviews of luggage in this category often point to the zipper as the part that suffers when a case is overfilled.

A few ways to stay in control:

• Leave about an inch of space across the top before closing.
• Weigh the case. Many airlines enforce weight limits on both checked and carry-on bags.
• Keep souvenirs in an extra tote rather than squeezing them in.
• If you need more room, think about a larger size or a set. See Luggage set sizes explained.

For the return trip

Leave a little more space than you think you need. Straps and a divider keep things tidy on the way out, but a lot of souvenirs don't fit back into the original layout.

Related guides

• Spinner wheels and trolley handle
• Locking your zippers
• Wheels, zippers and repairs