My family and I love to travel. Our trips can just be a night or they can be for the entire summer. Over the years, I've become pretty good at packing the right amount of clothes and fitting it all into one (okay, sometimes two) suitcase that's under 50 pounds. This post features tried and true packing tips along with cute luggage to help you travel in style.
Luggage: The cosmetic bags, carry ons and suitcases below will all help make your trip a breeze. These brightly-patterned, waterproof lined make up cases are easy to spot when unloading your liquids and creams in the security line. The neutral toned carry on bags double as purses and can be worn throughout your trip. Finally, the sweet printed suitcases will stand out during baggage claim so there's no confusion over who's bag is who's.
Luggage: The cosmetic bags, carry ons and suitcases below will all help make your trip a breeze. These brightly-patterned, waterproof lined make up cases are easy to spot when unloading your liquids and creams in the security line. The neutral toned carry on bags double as purses and can be worn throughout your trip. Finally, the sweet printed suitcases will stand out during baggage claim so there's no confusion over who's bag is who's.
- Suitcase
- Choose a lightweight suitcase that is made of a flexible material (the hardshell ones are cute, but are really restricting)
- Choose a dark color that won't show stains
- Tip: Attach two brightly colored luggage tags to your bag that are monogrammed (or better yet monogram your bag). People rarely loose or confuse personalized luggage tags.
- Before You Pack
- Actually check the weather for the duration of your trip- don't assume everything
- Also pull out a copy of an itinerary (it can be rough) that lists any events that require specific attire
- Packing Clothes
- Tops- 5 per week, fold them normally and then roll them to prevent wrinkles
- Bottoms
- Pants- 3 per week, fold these seam to seam, then in half and roll them
- Skirts- 4 per week, fold these in half and then roll
- Dresses: dresses are light so it is easy to pack many of them! Beware: they wrinkle easily, fold at the waist and then layer on top of everything (yes, I mean everything) with tissue paper in between
- Neutrals: you can wear these three times
- Patterns: you can wear these twice
- Formal
- One little black dress can go a long way!
- Gym
- One pair of running shorts/shirt/sports bra for every three days (I know this sounds gross but you only wear this to work out, you can hang it up to let it air out between workouts)
- Outerwear
- Three neutral sweaters per week, folded and then rolled
- One black, brown or navy jacket per week folded and then placed with dresses and layers of tissue paper
- Undergarments/socks: I'm actually a hygiene freak and never wear any undergarments twice without washing... I guess if worst comes to worst hand wash in the sink and hang dry.
- 2 pairs of underwear per day
- 1 bra per day
- 1 pair of socks per day
- Packing Shoes
- Every day
- Two pair of every day shoes in a neutral color per two weeks
- Formal
- One pair of heels per trip in either black, nude or metallic to go with the LBD
- Gym
- One pair of running shoes (I love Nike Frees!)
- Packing Accessories
- Jewelry
- Pack these in a travel jewelry case- One pair of dangly earrings and two pairs of studs, a statement necklace and a few plain necklaces
- Scarves
- 2 or 3 patterned scarves to pair with neutrals
- Hair
- Don't forget hair elastics, clips and head bands
- Bags
- One large purse and one small purse and one wallet that can double as a clutch for formal events
- Packing Toiletries
- Shower
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Body wash
- Face wash
- Razor
- Shaving cream
- Post-shower- If you have a sample sized moisturizer, take this on the plane! The air is very drying, so you might want to rehydrate mid-flight.
- Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
- Body lotion
- Face moisturizer
- Sunblock
- Contact lenses/glasses
- Hair
- Hairspray if needed
- Make up- I try to keep make up to the minimum and usually just take along sample sized products so I can take them on the plane to freshen up before landing (In fact, I only really wear mascara while traveling).
- One eyeshadow palette
- Concealor/foundation
- Face primer/eye primer
- Mascara
- Eyeliner
- Blush/bronzer
- Tweezers
- Carry On Packing List
- A paperback or two- I hate taking off and landing (of course the time when you can't use electronics/blast your iPod), so I usually try to be well into a book during that time
- Newspaper
- Notebook/writing implements
- iPod/music player
- Laptop- I never put this in my suitcase! It could get damaged or stolen so easily!
- Cosmetics bag
- Reading glasses
- Sunglasses
I usually try to make my suitcase look like this and then stack dresses/coats on top
and shoes in the pouch
(courtesy of https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEaht4R5RJHjZTOdilHudbhnpa699iH7cLkGST_cyuOPiQcDISXQzO_MptBwNUegSho09CiGbZmF6js3CiErgA6BD9tO7aH2Uscne84AiUlhCgqR82lrQv3iRSh9-L6-aeNljS9znsx27/s1600/packed.jpg)
Bon voyage!
xoxo
xoxo