Everybody loves travel to your next amazing holiday destination. Yet it can be stressful if you leave the packing till the last minute, especially when you have to pack for your family as well.
We can all relate to packing too much. It takes me back to backpacking around the USA at 21. Obviously, I packed way too much and I had to lug this thing around for 6 weeks.
Just Right Packing
Coming from a “family of packing way too much” and I needed a system for packing “just right” instead of “just in case”. I decided holidays were not the time to road test new clothes I never loved wearing at home either.
I worked hard at getting the travel wardrobe just right so I would feel great in anything I wore for any situation.
Recently, I received a request from a client for tips on how to pack for a holiday. This inspired me to ask the ladies in Style Forum on Facebook how they felt about this subject….
Some of the questions that came up:
“How to streamline an on-the-road wardrobe that has to cover formal work situations, casual work, leisure and fitness, across different climates and temperature extremes.”
“Always pack too much so need advice on how to keep it simple. Also folding tips that reduces the need to iron.”
“Love some tips on what clothing items to pack. I always have best intention to minimise luggage but end up with 3-4 bags + kitchen sink. Then don’t wear half of what I’ve packed.”
“I always pack too much and it’s mainly for business trips. Especially shoes are a challenge to complete a look. How can you best pack high heels?”
“Looking forward to the tips on how not to overpack and basically how to create outfits with minimal fuss. Going to Scandinavia for 3 weeks in July!”
“Going to Vietnam/ Cambodia end of this month so really am an over packer! Tips to pack light. Fold clothes to minimise space. Is using packing cubes great idea? How keep seperate clean & dirty clothes throughout a trip.”
Below is a step-by-step process of how I get ready to travel to my next destination.
If you would like help, contact me here to organise a Holiday Wardrobe Stylings.
1. Break down your trip in detail
WEATHER
I spend a lot of time googling what weather I can expect at the time of travel from the beginning to the end of the trip.
Let’s take the Scandinavia trip in July mentioned above, there is a big difference in temperature depending to what part of the country you go to.
July is summer and you could experience quite hot weather spells but the northern tips of these countries will always be fresh and windy so sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and layers are a must.
It can be raining as well so sturdy wet weather options that are not too hot are on the list of priorities.
When you are packing for a summer destination when you are still in winter you are very likely to forget items you will need. Timely preparation will prevent these costly unnecessary buys plus you don’t have to waste time looking for them in a foreign country.
ITINERARY
What will you be doing during your trip? Is it laying by the pool and eating out at night, backpacking around small villages or is it a combination of sight seeing and having nice dinners at night?
If you are heading out for a cruise you will need some more formal evening wear and if you are into the theme nights like “all white” “splash of red” and “black tie” outfits need to be set aside for this.
What comes to mind with the lady above who is going to Vietnam and Cambodia is that she has to get into action quickly as her trip is in 3 weeks.
With a quick Google I can see she can expect lovely hot weather with perhaps a spot of wetness in both countries. She will most likely visit some sacred temples and there will be stipulations of what she can and cannot wear.
Always best to be prepared when you visit holy places as they are likely high on your bucket list and not being allowed in would be devastating or been given some clothes you need to wear over yours will spoil the amazing photo opportunities.
Creating a pack/tick list, on paper or in your phone, synchronised with your itinerary will give you some clarity.
LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Your luggage allowance can fluctuate depending on the flights you take. It can range from 25 to 30 kg for long haul flights but when you combine them with smaller budget flights you are very likely to have a 20 kg maximum.
Also work out the best size hand luggage according to the airline rules. This will be your best friend and companion during the long flights. It needs to hold your book, iPad, change of clothes, a neck pillow, some toiletries and a scarf to keep you cosy and warm.
Some flights are inexplicably warm and on other flights you freeze for 13 hours so layers and comfortable clothing is a priority.
How fancy you travel is a personal preference. I tend to keep it simple and comfortable as those clothes will hit the washing pile straight away and won’t be of much use during the first week of the trip.
2. Start Packing four weeks before you travel
I mentioned earlier that when you pack for a different season you are more likely to forget things so hence my tip is to start the packing process at least 4 weeks before your trip.
Empty out a big drawer and wardrobe space to start putting things aside you want to bring along. This takes away the stress of packing as you are getting more organised as time goes by.
This is a time you can still put all your “maybe’s” in the drawer, the selection process will start in the next stage of packing.
Not wearing certain items a few weeks prior to your trip will save you last minute washing and ironing.
This process will continue to create an organised, “ready to pack” wardrobe.
You might also like to buy a few new things if you feel there are any gaps specific for your trip.
3. Be Very Selective
A week before you travel it is time to go through your pre-selections with a fine tooth comb.
It is very likely that you have lots of things ready to be packed that you already know you probably won’t wear.
Packing for a trip is not the time to start wearing your shorts that don’t quite fit, the top you are not sure off and that belt that you love but really does not go with anything.
Selection criteria will be:
– Do I love it?
– Does it fit?
– How much does it go with?
– Will I wear it?
The more honest you are at this stage the better your suitcase will deliver amazing mix and match options that will work a treat for any occasion.
And remember, every item will be photographed at the great historic sights, by the pool or out for dinner and will be looked at on Facebook and on your computer for year so it has to be your best!
3. Do a Pre-pack
You may well have your best ready to pack but if it does not fit in your suitcase or if it is over the weight restrictions you need to be more selective. Do a Pre-pack a few days before your trip so you don’t have any last minute stress about this.
If all your items fit, make sure you weigh your suitcase and allow for your toiletries. Is there still more room then you might pack a few extra items you know you will wear. You could also leave room for souvenirs and a spot of shopping.
4. Bon Voyage
By now you know it all fits and you know what to bring so this is simply a quick pack and a final weigh.
You are now ready to have a fantastic time, knowing you packed your best!
5. Shopping Overseas
Some ladies love shopping in America, Asia or Europe whilst on holidays and tend to take a fairly empty suitcase.
If that is not you but you do love buying the odd thing, I would recommend that you still apply all the same tips you have learnt in the past, especially the one “only buy what you love”.
Overseas thickness of fabric can be too hot here in Australia and what is totally working there does not necessarily work here. I have made those mistakes a few times. They are expensive items that don’t get the most wear.
Additional Answers to Questions
“I always pack too much and it’s mainly for business trips. Especially shoes are a challenge to complete a look. How can you best pack high heels?”
Touching on a question from a busy working and traveling mum above who always packs too much. I know this client quite well and I know she has to do lots of international travel. Sometimes up to 2 weeks at a time.
My advice in this instance is to focus on packing a suit that has a jacket, pants and skirt in a fabric that travels well. Creating more options with a nice jersey dress, another skirt and 5 easy tops.
This will already give her 17 different combinations and 5 casual outfits. A smart accessory in the neck and earrings will make any top look great. In meetings the upper part of the body is where the focus is.
She might need an award night dress. Also, she might like to feel relaxed in jeans and one of the 5 tops after work. Maybe she will also need an overcoat if the weather is cold as well as at least 5 pairs of really nice stockings.
Add a bathing suit if the hotel has a pool or one pair of gym tights, sports bra and sneakers so she can have 2 forms of exercise to keep her energy up.
To take the stress out of the packing she could have a dedicated travel wardrobe. Positioned to the side of her wardrobe and not worn closer to her trip.
She also mentioned overpacking of shoes. If you select a basic pair of nude and black heels they will go with any outfit and jeans. Patent leather always looks elegant.
To pack them safely you can wrap each shoe individually in hotel laundry bags or soft shoe bags. Pack them amongst your clothes and they will not move or damage anything.
“Tips on folding that reduces the need to iron“
When you travel there will always be some element of creasing. I would suggest regarding the pieces that crease the most to pack those on the top of your bag. Taking patterned items or items in non-crease fabrics will make creasing less obvious as well. Unpacking straight away and using the hot steam from the shower will also bring out the creases.
“How to streamline an on-the-road wardrobe that has to cover formal work situations, casual work, leisure and fitness, across different climates and temperature extremes.”
Each trip will need to be packed for as per the notes above. Where are you traveling? Who are you meeting? What are you doing (presenting/attending/meeting)? When and why are you traveling (to close the deal/mediate/educate)? How are you traveling? These are all questions I recommend you prepare the answers for.
When you travel I know you love natural fabrics the most. When there are extreme temperature differences simply pack layers like a jacket, elegant cardigans and scarves. Short sleeve tops won’t show underarm sweat marks. Patterned tops also work best for this.
“How to fold”
It depends a little on what you are bringing and how flexible your suitcase it. A Samsonite hard cover versus a soft bag pack differently.
Rolling certain items can fill up nooks and crannies but will make them crease a lot. I tend to fold and pack in categories, pants with pants etc especially when I know I am not going to unpack my bag.
Folding your tops and pants as neatly as possible will minimise creasing.
“Is using packing cubes great idea?”
Yes I think so, Kmart has affordable options and I personally use a lot of hotel laundry bags for shoes, underwear, easy dresses and washing.
I triple plastic bag my toiletries so no breakage or spillage will seep through my luggage.
“How keep seperate clean & dirty clothes throughout a trip would be fantastic to know.”
I use a soft hotel laundry bag at the bottom of the luggage when I travel
If you have any other questions I invite you to post them in the Style Forum!
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