Packing Tips to Make Your Next Trip Less Chaotic (and much more fun)!

Trips and vacation are meant to be something we look forward to, not something we dread to prepare for…

The feeling of excitement and anticipation you feel when you finally book that trip or vacation can quickly be squelched by the overwhelm of all that needs to be accomplished to bring it into fruition.

While I am no travel agent or advisor (I leave that to my friends Marcie and Heather), I am your expert on planning what goes onto your body and into your suitcase to ensure that you enjoy your trip by removing the fussiness around your wardrobe and extra luggage fees!

Let’s make packing and outfit planning a breeze with these six pointers to keep you focused in your packing preparation :

1. Check the weather & know your itinerary!
   • Look ahead to the forecast of your destination and see what’s predicted. Obviously weather patterns can change, but typically not drastic enough between the time you are packing and your arrival.
   • Your itinerary plays another key component in your planning as it will literally command the outfit needed to enjoy the day.
2. Decide what shoes you will need (and be realistic)!
   • If you are wanting to go carry-on only (which I highly encourage and recommend for international trips), consider limiting yourself to three shoes max!
   • Building your outfits around your shoe choices will narrow down the possibilities of outfit choices inherently making deciding what outfits to bring a bit easier!
3. Prepare outfits for every activity & event you have scheduled, including wandering/exploring days.
   • Take your itinerary and create a look for each event and activity. This will allow you to pack easier and in a more organized fashion and take out unnecessary decision-making while away on your trip, starting each morning off a bit easier.
   • Stick to a consistent color palette. This doesn’t have to mean black and white only. But do make sure you have a core color story running through outfit choices!
   • You might be asking yourself, “Why?” here… Accidents happen and maybe you need to swap a top or change a pair of pants last minute due to spilling your coffee or sitting on a wet park bench. Having a common thread running through your looks will allow you the freedom to mix and match as needed whether due to an accident or simply just a change in mood!
4. Consider your landscape!
   • If you are going to be surrounded by stunning and ornate architecture, consider a more subdued and timeless look, particularly if you plan to print and frame/hang photos in your home.
5. Keep it comfy.
   • Both physically and confidently – if you don’t feel good in what you are wearing, you are not going to enjoy your day. You will constantly be distracted by your discomfort.
   • Your clothes need to be comfortable on your body and your body needs to be comfortable in your clothes – catch my drift here? If you do not like the way you look or feel in something, it’s not the right outfit! No more hiding in your photos, especially on vacations!
6. Enlist help!
   • You don’t have to tackle this alone! There are a million packing guides spread all over the internet and Pinterest. But for complete removal of the agony of second-guessing everything, consider using a pro like me! Click here to chat more about how I can manage all of this for you!

How to Make It All Fit?

Here’s the deal… the same principle we follow in organizing projects applies here. The size of your space will dictate how much you keep. In this case, it will dictate how much you can pack. Your suitcase size commands the contents.

If you are using a checked bag, I will always always always suggest packing cubes, whether you plan to pack by category or by outfit. As much as I love mine (linked above), I will typically forego using them when I am packing in a carry-on, except to house smaller items like socks and undies.

I love love love my Tumi carry-on but find it much easier to lay clothes as flat as possible to maximize the space it allows. Since we are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item (may be different among airlines), I find it useful to use that personal item to house overflow from my suitcase. This backpack from Amazon came in handy with its many pockets and extra-large compartment for additional clothing items and toiletries!

Final thought…

At the end of the day, we have to make choices surrounding our travel. Do we want to carry less or have more options? Do we want to be prepared for every possible circumstance or can we rest assured that should a need arise, we can address it at the time?

I’ll be back soon with a full outfit roundup from our recent Mediterranean Cruise, but until then, drop any questions you have in the comments section and I will be sure to answer them!

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,

Courtney