Are you one of those ladies who dreads packing before a holiday/vacation? You think, “Oh the joys of packing” in a downward tone with a frown? Well, I’m here to tell you that it can be easier… and if you implement some of these tested traveler tips, provided by yours truly, you’ll turn that frown upside down with positive joys of packing!
I’ve been traveling professionally and personally for years, living out of a suitcase for many weeks a year learning to get a LOT of mileage out of my outfits! I’ve had to pack 7 days of business and leisure (in/out of 4 countries) into a carry-on because my boss didn’t want to wait for luggage at each international stop. Conversely, I’ve had the luxury of space and time on my own travels. Neither was ideal but it taught me to pack better with an easy, repeatable process every time, taking the stress out of packing my clothes (at least! I’ll save my cosmetic downsizing for another blog someday!)
To keep it light and fun, I’ll stick to #vacayready packing!
- List out the days and expected activities – To start, I list out the days I’ll be gone and key activities planned (I use my phones notepad or paper/pen depending). As an example, on my most recent holiday (6 days inclusive of travel) I knew we would try for two nice(r) dinners out, one or two golf days, either be on the beach or poolside most days and I’d be working 2 of the days from the hotel. In addition, I know we workout most mornings while on vacation. Think of this step, like meal planning for the week!
2. Check the Weather – Next, I check the weather to ensure I’m “covered” both literally and figuratively! Do I need to bring extra layers for golf, or for our morning workouts, will nights be chilly – do I need more layers?
3. Identify your Wardrobe Capsules – Now the fun begins! Based on the known activities I will pull from the wardrobe capsules based on the climate in which I’m visiting and the activities I will be enjoying. In this case, as you guessed it by the beach and poolside comment, we are headed to Hawaii so I will be pulling from multiple capsules… my golf, summer casual, workout and beachwear capsules! Oh and I have travel staples – Items that I always wear that span across seasonal capsules!
4. Travel Staples – My travel staples get pulled first! My LJJ, my strapless waist-tie dress and my flips! I can wear these going and coming and pair them during my trip! I always add a pair of denim or white capri’s to the travel staple with a black tank or my flutter sleeve top just in case I’m not feeling a dress on the day of travel! (Added Tip: lay or hang these so one of the outfits that isn’t worn during travel gets added to the suitcase)
5. Your version of a LJJ – Be sure that whatever you choose as your version of the LJJ, albeit a blazer, sweater, etc, should be your go-to for the entire trip, meaning it goes with 80% if not more of your paired outfits! The exception is your workout, beachwear and likely your golf/activity of your choice capsule.
6. Largest Capsule – From there, move to the next capsule that will cover the most of your trip/activities. I pull from my summer casual capsule and add my favorite shorts in both distressed denim and in the indigo front button (I may add the white ripped depending on the tops I’m choosing or if I have room). While here I’ll add in a few of my favorite and flattering empire waist tops and tanks that pair with shorts!
7. Medium Capsule(s) – Continue to move to your capsules in decreasing order of activity. For me, I move into my beachwear capsule, it’s the easiest choice with two black monokini’s and one strapless bikini complimented with my black (or green) MeCa Long. I’ve already got my flips so no additional footwear necessary!
8. Small Capsule(s) – Finally end with your small(er) capsules. That leaves my golf and workout capsules were I grab one pair of tennis shoes, three bottoms and 4 tops with one sports bra and a zip-up and one pair golf shoes (if room, if not I’ll wear my tennies) with two golf outfits!
9. Footwear – What’s great about the travel staples and all of the pairings within and between the capsules is you should be able to wear the same shoes across the board! With my staples and other capsule favorites, I can easily wear pairings to a casual dinner or even a nice dinner! So checkmark, I’ve got the fancy dinner covered with my strapless waist tie dress and LJJ if I so choose! I’ve also got capri’s to add a top for other meals that we may enjoy! I’ll just add a wedge or dressier flip to my suitcase! Don’t over-shoe it! They take up the most room and you are less likely to wear new or fancy shoes more than once on the trip – shoe wisely!
And finally, speaking of wise, don’t forget your intimates (bra, panties, pasties, nipple pads etc)!
Granted it’s taken me years of practice, and I STILL tend to overpack, but I can tell you using these tips I’m getting better at re-wearing items through-out my trips and wearing most everything I pack!
Share your thoughts and your tips and tricks in our comments section! We’d love to hear from you!
X,
MeCa
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