Travelling is just one of my favorite things in the whole world. Everything and anything seems better when you’re on vacation, except for when it comes to… packing.
I have always been an over packer (and I likely will always remain so), but that is not my problem. My problem is staying organized, figuring out how to get my suitcase below 50 pounds, and what random miscellaneous item around my house I’ll need when I go on vacation (like, what if I need that one pair of shoes that I don’t bring?). My other problem is figuring out how to stay comfy but look somewhat cute and put together.
So I am breaking down all of my most useful tips on travelling and packing because who doesn’t like to read about travel essentials?
First, choosing the right luggage is absolutely essential. A good luggage allows you to maneuver easily through the airport (spinning wheels for life), will hold up through wear and tear (thanks TSA), and they can look super stylish and classy. My luggage is a 3 piece luggage set from Samsonite, and this luggage set was originally a graduation present from my mother (thanks Mom; you’re the best). They have held up fantastically, and the amount of travelling I have done through both car and plane since my graduation has been extensive.
The piece I love using is the middle sized luggage because it is the perfect size for me to make sure I am below the 50 pound mark (because I don’t need my entire shoe collection for a week’s vacation). A luggage too big will result in overpacking, and if you’re travelling via plane, your luggage will most likely be over 50 pounds.
Second, if you’re anything like me and need a way to stay organized, packing cubes will be a lifesaver! There are so many types of packing cubes on the market, and the great thing about packing cubes is that you can buy as many or as little as you need.
I usually use 6 packing cubes by dividing my clothes into the following categories: tops, bottoms, dresses/rompers, lounging, underwear and pajamas, and jackets. You can color code your packing cubes, or you can label them to help identify what you need. Packing cubes also are a fantastic way of saving luggage space, space I find that I usually need for things like shoes (because there’s really no way to pack a pair of booties in a suitcase without taking up half of the space).
Third, know your limits. This may seem quite obvious, but if you know that you are going to have a relaxing vacation in which you are mostly just chilling by the pool, it makes no sense to bring 10 pairs of outfits. Knowing your limits doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself with your wardrobe. I am the type that finds it impossible to pack lightly, but having a plan for my vacation and knowing where my focus will be has helped me eliminate some of the unnecessary items from my packing.
In the last trip I went on, I flew to North Carolina for the wedding of my big sister from my sorority. I had already committed to being her bridesmaid and being the makeup artist for her big day, hence my suitcase consisted mostly of makeup and other wedding outfit essentials. This meant packing a lot more leggings, yoga pants, and other forms of clothing that can easily be rolled up to save space.
Fourth, there’s nothing worse than forgetting an essential item at home, such as a hairbrush. Everyday items like toothbrush, toothpaste, and hairbrush are often forgotten because they are items we won’t pack until the last minute, and they’re often the items that get forgotten (which is ironic given how important they are). What I have started to do that has really helped me eliminate these sort of last minute rush to remember everything I’ve forgotten is to make a list. This sounds easy in concept, but I prefer to start making a list a week in advance, and write down every single item I use from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. If you’re someone who is an expert packer and will not forget anything, this tip won’t be applicable. Myself? I always am forgetting something, and writing down that one day of the week I needed to charge my electronic toothbrush helps me remember to bring my toothbrush charger in case it runs out of battery while I am on vacation.
Fifth, take a minute to dissect what your travel style is. Do you prefer to have a carry-on luggage with you in case your luggage gets missing? Or are you the type, like me, to want to only bring a purse because the thought of dragging a carry-on through the airport is just such a nightmare? It’s important for you to know exactly what items you are going to pack, and what items you want to keep on your person at all times. Once, I found myself digging through my luggage to find the phone charger I had put in my checked luggage and wasted 10 minutes in doing so. My personal advice is that it’s always easier to put things back in your suitcase rather than take them out.
Lastly, I want to share with you all my personal airport fashion. I have two distinct styles of airport fashion displayed in this post, and the biggest difference is the pants I am wearing. On one hand, I love wearing jeans to the airport when I’m on the go because when I’m wearing the right pair of jeans, they’re comfortable, classic, and easy to transition from airport to vacation-mode.
The jeans I am wearing are from American Eagle (link at the top), and the distress and wash of these make them so easy to pair with anything. I could have thrown on a sweater, and they would have worked perfectly as well! Good pairs of jeans like these are definitely a staple in my wardrobe!
On the other hand, if I know I will either be heading home or headed to the hotel to rest up after my flight, then I will opt for some more comfortable options. The other pair of pants I am wearing are from Lilly Pulitzer and called the “Lola Pants” (link at the bottom). These are SUPER comfortable, and the material feels like legging material, but are slightly thicker (and light-weight) and look absolutely fantastic. This is my alternative to going for the full on sweatpants or leggings option because I am the type to always look somewhat put together when I leave the house, and personally, my leggings are no match for the germs at the airport or on the plane!
I hope these tips and advice on my personal travel style helped out some of you guys!
