Listen, I used to really overpack. As in, a long weekend trip would have me shoving half of my belongings into a checked bag, scrambling to get to the airport on time, and sitting on the plane in an absolute panic, wondering what the heck was in my suitcase. It was not until my late twenties that I realized A- too much stuff can ruin a trip, and B- a few nice, thought out looks and well stocked, organized toiletry bags (these!) are really all I need. I don’t want to spend time on a trip trying on three different looks for dinner, I want to hang out with my husband and swim in the ocean!
(Speaking of my husband, part of the reason I am a reformed traveler is that I married what TikTok would refer to as an “Airport Dad”, which is essentially someone who runs the show on travel days. Highly recommend. Pretty much the only time I’m okay with a man giving me directions.)
Look at the weather- Basic, and maybe a bit obvious, but necessary. I’ve been to New York three times this year and the weather was different on each trip. If you’re going somewhere like L.A. where the climate varies the key is layering.
Consider inspiration- Think about the vibe of where you’re going and how you want to dress. Maybe you’re going to Italy- is the vibe Lizzie McGuire movie or White Lotus? Take some screeenshots of fits you like, whether they’re on IG or Pinterest or the Net-A-Porter homepage and put them in a folder on your phone. Also reference photos from your last trip and think about what worked and what didn’t (i.e. do you remember walking to dinner in heels and being miserable? or did you maybe wish you had grabbed another set of PJs?)
Write out occasions- I promise this helps make sure you have all your bases covered and cuts down on overpacking. This is not just for trips with itineraries. My recent list for Hawaii was literally workout, pool, lunch, reading/work, dinner for two days and I still did this.
List 'extras’ - These are non-negotiables that don’t necessarily apply to an outfit. Maybe you’re having a spa day and want to bring your own nail polish. You can’t live without your Dyson hairdryer (me). Or maybe you’re babysitting your niece and need a good pair of sneakers to chase after her in. My husband and I rented snorkels on our recent Hawaii trip, and I brought a pair of inexpensive sunglasses so I didn’t have to leave anything nice on the beach.
Create a pile of ‘definites’ - Swimsuit you bought, white dress for family photo, set you’ve been ‘saving’… etc. or even just a cozy airplane outfit you know you’ll wear on the way. Pull it out now so you don’t forget it later. The worst feeling is sitting on a plane and realizing you left that shiny new thing that you were so excited to wear at home.
Play matchmaker - Put these items with specific occasions. Will you wear the white dress to dinner after you take family photos? Check, dinner outfit for one night. Are you going to wear that new swimsuit you bought? Grab a cover-up, sandals and a tote and put it all together.
Fill in the blanks- What have you NOT pre- planned for? (it’s okay if the answer to that is everything). Refer to your inspo images and pull out looks for the rest of your trip. The trick here is to make sure the outfits work - aka don’t grab a tube top and mini skirt if the occasion is a nice dinner with your in-laws.
Try on/edit - Sorry, this part is tedious, but every time I try to skip it I am filled with regrets. Maybe the white tank you were planning on wearing has a spot on it, or your pants need hemming (a daily struggle for me). Make sure everything works the way you need it to and that the outfits look the way you imagined them in your head before you pack them all in. I really love packing cubes- I bought myself this set. I highly recommend investing in nice ones because I’ve found the zippers break on the cheaper versions and that’s the last thing you want to deal with on a trip.
Finalize and cut down- Did you not so accidentally grab two pairs of jeans even though you only need one? Do you have an extra hoodie shoved in and now you can’t shop when you’re on your trip because your suitcase is stuffed? Get real with yourself, be honest about what you ‘need’ and I promise you it will all fit nicely into a carry-on.
Comfort is key - I need a cozy sweater (found a lightweight version of my favorite one for you here) for the plane and a thick pair of socks for the hotel. Also, a journal and my kindle. I like to have all my toiletries VERY organized, so I use these- one for skincare, one for make-up and another for hair products. I throw in an extra pair of sandals into my carry on when I travel in the summer. All of these things make me feel more comfortable. Have a checklist of your carry-on necessities and refer to it when you pack
my pre-edit pull
try-on process
my suitcase situation for our long weekend trip
new & noteworthy
If anyone is going to a late summer wedding, please wear this so I can live vicariously through you.
For fellow fans of the suede Bottega birks (here), these are a nice alternative.
How about this jacket that’s less than $150 and has major Prada barn jacket vibes? Thank me later.
Is it just me or is Salomon doing a lot of collabs lately? First with MM6, now with SANDY LIANG. They were already having a moment, but now they’re really going after the fashion girls. Very sad I couldn’t get my hands on the ballerina lace-up pair before they sold out.
The RED DRESS!!! It reminds me of one that I wanted to send you info about - I saw it in my MOOD FABRICS email and immediately thought of you!!! ♥
https://www.moodfabrics.com/blog/the-vixen-slip-dress-free-sewing-pattern/