What and How to Packing for a trip or vacation, Packing Tips

Perfect Packing Tips!

Here’s my tried and true method for efficiently packing your suitcase! Each time I pack, I do it exactly the same way! (For the fun suitcase pictured at right, see couverture.com)

Count Out the Number of Days You Will Be Away

Count out the number of days and nights you will be away. This will prevent over packing, and these days over packing can have serious consequences. The airlines are not fooling around when they weigh your bags. A $50 fee is charged for each bag over 50 lbs.

Set aside an outfit to wear on the day of your trip - shoes, jewelry, pocketbook, lingerie and all.
Start packing!

Underwear

Pack one set for each day and two extras.
To avoid an embarrassing moment while your luggage is being searched during airport inspection or even by your own curious kids, pack your lingerie in a special drawstring linen bag. For an easy $5.99, I picked up my bag at TJMaxx in the perfume/toiletry section. I’ve seen these really pretty bags there on many occasions. More expensive versions of the same bags can be found in catalogs like Horchow.
A new twist on this idea comes from Uncommon Goods. This company sells a two-sided zipper bag with one side embroidered “Wear Me” and the other “Wash Me.” See Uncommon Goods, item# 12335.

Nightgowns

One nightgown or PJ for each two nights.
One robe.

Beach Vacation

One swimsuit, coverup, and flip flops for each day or half the number of coverups and flip flops if you can coordinate them with two swimsuits.

City or Cold Weather Trip

One swimsuit, coverup and flip flops for an indoor pool or spa

Outfits

Two outfits for each day. One that will cover your daytime activities and one for evening.
Lay out each outfit completely - top, bottom, belts, any special lingerie (like a strapless bra), pocketbook, stockings/socks, and shoes. Pack each outfit together in the suitcase. Don’t forget about your jewelry. Lay it out with the outfit, but then pack it separately in a jewelry roll or bag to be packed in your carry on. I recommend bringing mostly costume jewelry when you travel. Stick with either all silver or all gold.
Gather a few extra “go with everything” items like a simple white sweater for summer or a plain black sweater for winter, jeans, 1 or 2 plain t-shirts, and a hat or visor.

Odds and Ends

Pack odds and ends that you don’t need to put in your carry on bag like cell phone charger, camera, sunglasses (if you don’t need them before you get to your destination), extra reading material, workout clothes if you’re so inclined, and appropriate sports attire. Don’t forget sports footwear or eyewear if needed.

Coats and Jackets

Regardless of the climate, I like to bring two coats.
For winter - ski jacket and wool 3/4 length coat that can double as a dress coat. Don’t forget gloves, and a hat and scarf if you’d like.
For summer - white jean jacket, colorful wrap or light trench coat. Pack the lighter coat and wear the heavier one.

Last Step!

Add your perfectly filled travel kit and makeup into the suitcase. Due to the recent security restrictions regarding carry on liquids, I like to put both makeup and toiletries into my suitcase to be checked in. (TSA calls this the 3-1-1: no liquids over three ounces, all packed in one 1 quart zip lock bag, and one per traveler.)
If you have any questions about what is currently considered safe to be carried onto a plane, go to tsa.gov for more information.

Some General Thoughts and Advice

Pack Bulk Items Separately

If you are going on a trip that requires a lot of special clothing, like a ski trip, pack your suitcase as recommended above, but pack only one regular outfit for each day that you will ski. Then pack all of your family’s ski clothing and gear in one large suitcase. This way, the gear bag can stay in the car during parts of the trip that don’t involve skiing, and your personal suitcase will stay more organized.

Consider packing your clothes in a color scheme

This may sound like more trouble than it’s worth, but it really works well! When you’re choosing your outfits, work with a color palette.

In the winter, choose a black OR brown scheme. This way black boots will match whatever clothing items you bring! Bringing both black and brown boots is too much! Also, one black pocketbook is better than both a black and brown one!
In the summer, consider pink and green; navy and white; or black and white. You’ll cut down on accessories, shoes and jackets!

Things not to pack in a suitcase