My top packing tips and what I take with me when I travel
I’ve been lucky enough to be able to go on a few trips this year and each time I try to streamline my packing even more. When I travel, I try to pack as light as possible. I stick to one bag, so I have to be very strategic about what I pack and how I pack it so I can carry on all the essentials and not have to deal with overweight luggage. It’s practical and a little ruthless when deciding what to cull and what to keep, because I want to know that I’ll be able to wear all the clothes I take, not any that take up unnecessary space.
So here are my golden rules for vacation packing ……
Mix and match.
It’s all about mixing and matching pieces so I can take a few pieces and rework them into different looks. For example, I’ll pick a leather skirt and pair it with a nice black evening top that would look great for a night out, or I can pair it with a white t-shirt and sandals, sneakers, or flip flops and I can wear it all day. It’s all about finding versatile items. Another thing I’ve grown to love is carrying around matching sets that I can wear on their own. It looks sophisticated, but I can also rework it into several different looks.
Choose a versatile little black dress
I always choose a little black dress because it can be worn with a nice pair of flats, but it can also be worn with a pair of heels for the evening, so it has versatility. Bringing items that are versatile and can be worn multiple ways is key to avoiding over packing too many items.
Limit the number of shoes you bring
As far as shoes go, I would bring a pair of sneakers that you can wear while traveling and a pair or two of personalized heels that you can mix and match with different outfits. If you’re going on a tropical vacation, obviously a nice pair of sandals or flip-flops is a must.
Flatpacking.
When I pack, I keep everything flat because I find it takes up less space. I stick to just one bag. If I realize I need to take another bag, I recheck what I’m packing. When we travel with the kids, they end up having to take a lot of stuff – I want to take as little as possible so it’s easier.
Minimize the use of beauty products
Beauty products are heavy! Therefore, I try to keep my carry-on as light as possible. As far as beauty goes, I definitely always bring a good quality sunscreen, bronzer, cleanser, good quality lip balm, mascara, and makeup remover. I’ll opt for nude nails so I don’t have to worry about any chipping or nail polish growing out while I’m gone. It’s a much easier way to go.
Always bring spare clothes.
Having lost my luggage so many times, I always keep a change of clothes in my carry-on in case I lose my suitcase, and I also keep items I can’t afford to lose in my carry-on bag, such as jewelry. I also always carry makeup in my carry-on just in case.
Go for comfort
Comfort is key on an airplane, and my favorite airplane attire is straight-leg jeans, sneakers or pop sandals, a loose white t-shirt and/or a lightweight sweater (or both depending on what time of year it is). I tend to dress in layers because it’s easy to adjust my clothes to the temperature on the plane. I also bring a cozy Louis Vuitton scarf in case it gets chilly. Plus, I always bring a roomy tote bag to carry all my essentials.
Tell me – what are your favorite travel packing tips?