What to Pack?
Packing for a recent vacation to California made me realize it had been quite a while since I had to minimize my outfits and shoe selection into a small space! I’m here to tell you it can be done. I did it, and so can you!
After watching a couple of packing video tips online, I was ready to pack with ease.
Here are my simple packing tips that will get you through any occasion:
Know the climate you’re visiting. Check out recent weather trends, and look at the 10-day forecast of your destination. Is it in a milder, wetter, hotter, drier, sunnier climate? Know before you go! Pack your pocket-raincoat, mini-umbrella, sunscreen, hat, boots, etc., based on what’s going on with the weather you’ll be in.
Have an idea of what you’ll be doing. Will you be sightseeing? Is there a lot of walking? You’ll need comfy shoes. Will you be eating out? Are the restaurants dressy? Will you be shopping? You’ll need room to bring back items. Take all these into consideration, as you determine what you’ll need. As women, we like OPTIONS!!
Pack in a single color palette. For example, let’s say you have a lot of navy in an array of fabrics. This would be the ideal color to pack for you. It allows you to mix and match, accordingly, for everything goes together. Use one color as your accent color. Perhaps red or white- both go well with navy. Use these accent colors in coordinating pieces such as a sweater, scarf, jacket, skirt, shoes, small clutch purse, etc.
To illustrate this idea:
1 pair of navy slacks
1 pair of jeans
1 navy sleeveless day dress
1 navy print maxi-dress
1 navy skirt
1 pair of navy leggings
For accenting with the above items:
1 white short-sleeve top
1 white scarf
1 red scarf
1 red button-down lightweight sweater
1 white tunic top with belt
1 red clutch purse (small enough for evening-use)
1 pair of navy flats, 1 pair of gold sandals,
1 pair of white sneakers for travel and sight-seeing
These items can be coordinated easily giving you multiple outfits:
Jeans, skirt, or slacks, white short-sleeve top, red sweater
Jeans or slacks, white tunic and belt, red scarf
Leggings with white tunic and belt, red scarf
Sleeveless day-dress with red sweater and white scarf (dress can be casual with sneakers or flats, but can be dressed up a bit with sandals, and jewelry.
Maxi-dress with red-sweater or either scarf (used as a scarf or a wrap)
Remember, these items don’t include what you’ll be wearing for travel days to/from your destination. Wear comfy clothes and roll a light jacket into your carry-on. It’s also a good idea to pack a pair of underwear and a t-shirt in your carry on. In case your luggage doesn’t make it when you do, you’ll have something to sleep in (and/or wear the next day) if need be.
This is just a guideline. Every vacation is made up of different components. Your trip may entail many days or weeks or travel. In that case, pack a couple of laundry detergent pods in a ziplock bag in your checked luggage. I take a travel-size bottle of Woolite in case I need to wash my unmentionables in the hotel room. Also, I like the idea I recently saw of taking along a clothespin to use as a toothbrush holder on the bathroom counter. No matter clean a countertop looks, it’s not like home. The clothespin keeps your toothbrush from coming into contact with the countertop. In addition to packing clothes and shoes, don’t forget your jewelry, accessories, make-up and toiletries, and bring a couple of plastic bags for damp or dirt clothes. I always pack a big, flat, beach-bag in the bottom of my suitcase first, in case I’ll need it on the way home.
Like everything else in life, the best way to be prepared is to research, research, research! I pour over travel books and websites, read reviews of hotels, restaurants, and places of interests. Keep in mind that a place you visited in the 80’s or 90’s, might be quite different today!
Enjoy!! Planning is half the fun!!
Tami Loves…a well-planned vacation!
