‘Tis the season of travel. Few things are better than getting away with family and friends, relaxing by the beach, and just vegetating for a few days. Unfortunately, what comes with travel is the dreaded event of packing. Most people I talk to loathe packing. While it is far from my favorite activity, I have gotten much better at it, and I’ve learned how to avoid overpacking. Here are some tips you can take with you the next time you’re about to embark on a fabulous vacation and don’t want to bring your entire closet.
- Plan out your outfits. I know it sounds a bit much, but it can be really fun. Put on some upbeat music, and try on your clothing. While you may not know exactly what you’re doing each day and night, you will have an idea, and you can mix and match your outfits and pack only what you know you’ll wear.
- Check the weather. My boyfriend and parents make fun of me because I literally live on weather.com. Fine, maybe I should be a meteorologist in my next life, but it’s very important to know what the weather will be like where you’re going so you pack appropriately (no need to bring a leather jacket if where you’re going is in the 80’s every day).
- Keep your shoes to a minimum. I know I know, this is a difficult one, but try. Pack a pair of sandals you can wear to the beach, wedges that can dress any outfit up, and a dressier sandal for daytime excursions if your beach ones will be filled with sand (sneakers, as well, if you plan on working out, walking a lot, or hiking).
- Re-wear your jewelry. I promise, it’s ok to! I’m a jewelry fanatic, but before a trip, once I plan out my outfits, I narrow down the jewelry I’ll need. Typically, I bring a gold set (necklace, bangles, ring, watch) and a silver set (necklace, bangles, ring, watch), and I’ll throw in a couple favorite pieces that can go with all.
- If you know you’re going to be laying on the beach the majority of the time, there’s no need to bring much more than your beach attire. Throw in a couple dresses for night and a pair of shorts that you can wear with multiple tops (dressed up or down).
- Mix and match bathing suits. You can wash bathing suits in the sink and re wear them by mixing and matching tops and bottoms. Stick to neutral bottoms or neutral tops and switch out the rest. It’ll look like you have an entire collection of bathing suits with you.
These are just a few tips I try to live by while packing. Try them out, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised the next time you’re getting ready for a trip. Enjoy your vacation!
One of the benefits of traveling for work a lot is that I’ve gotten really efficient at packing… neutral tones and lots of scarves 🙂
XO
Pearls & Paws
i really need to do this. i never plan my outfits out. i am such a day-to-day dresser that i love having options!! but these are all very good tips!
These are great tips but unfortunately I under pack and always forget something that I really need! oh well:)
These are SUCH great tips! I always overpack so I will definitely be using them 🙂
Annie
The Other Side of Gray
I’m a chronic over-packer…I can’t avoid it somehow! I really need to talk these tips into account for my trips this summer. That way MAYBE I won’t need to pay a fee on my suitcase (yes, it’s that bad haha).
I wish I would have read this before this weekend- serious over packing! Great tips!
xo Dina
Sweetest Somethings
I pretty much need to bookmark this post ASAP, because I leave for a business trip next week and absolutely need to abide by these tips! I ALWAYS overpack; I’m the world’s worst packer. 🙂
Great post!
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
I need to use all of your tips! I am the worst packer…I always over pack! This most recent trip to Hawaii I think I managed to take more clothes then the trip for our wedding and honeymoon, and that was twice as long! Oops!
xo jen
I rarely get the chance to go anywhere far away or take a vacation, so I thankfully don’t have to deal with overpacking. Because I know I would be an overpacker for sure! haha
I wish I would follow this advise. I just always overpack, and then end up saying why did I bring all this. I just worry I might want it and not have it sort of thing.
xo’
LesliMarie
http://www.linenandtulle.com
im all about overpacking, not really but it happens more than i’d care to admit Xo, Megan, http://www.TfDiaries.com
The shoes packing is a big one for me, too. That, and I don’t bring my good jewelry and I only bright a few versatile pieces. Love your practical advice about checking the weather. I never used to do this and I’d wind up with tons of stuff that just sat in the suit case. One big thing that I’ve started doing lately is trying on every outfit that I pack. Often I’d assemble outfits but then change my mind based on fit/weather/style that they didn’t work. Oy!
Love this!
Hey thanks for these tips. Not sure when I will get to travel again I keep wanting to but airfare is soooooo high these days!
Ali of
Dressing Ken
Such great tips! I’m such a weather.com stalker, but it definitely pays off!
So many great tips! I especially love your suggestion of mixing & matching bathing suits.
Isn’t That Charming.
I managed not to overpack for the trip I’m currently on, I only brought 3 pairs of shoes! A major accomplishment for me. I basically live on weather.com too 😉
Kristina does the Internets