First and foremost, I would like to apologize to you for the lack of style posts as of late. With school and travel, I haven’t had time to work on them.
However, with Spring Break being in a couple of weeks, it means two things: 1) more style posts and 2) more traveling!
I’ll be traveling back to Denver and Cave Creek, Ariz. to spend time with my family, and in light of all the out-of-town trips I have been taking, I decided to film and write a “How To Pack a Suitcase.”
Packing may be a simple chore — or it could just be my Type-A personality — but it can be an unnecessarily stressful task which most people avoid until the night before their departure — or worse, only hours before.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks from my father, and here are some important ones.
- The week before your trip become familiar with the weather and climate of your destination. Is it consistently warm or cold? Or does it go through “mood” swings like a teenager going through puberty? (I’m referring to you, Arizona.)
Either on your phone or computer, be sure to bookmark either a weather website or add the location to your weather app. This will make it easier for you to check-up on the area’s weather throughout the week.
- Next, plan what you are going to pack. You don’t have to start tossing a mass of clothes onto your bed, which would actually make your packing more difficult come go-time.
Think about what you need to bring, want to wear, where you will or may go, and even unforeseen events that may occur during your trip. Jot these thoughts down and along with notes on what items fit what you need.
Note: Make sure to bring an umbrella.
The brainstorming process can be done throughout the week, so relax a bit.
- Buy toiletry bottles to use for your shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, etc. If you already have a few, make sure they are filled and ready to use.
Also, think about buying a travel-sized tube of toothpaste and toothbrush (don’t forget floss) that you can leave in a case with your other travel toiletries. Using these smaller bottles will save space and also make your carry-on suitcase TSA approved.
Remember to leave the tweezers and razors at home.
Fast-forward to two nights before your departure and return to your notes. What did you write down and how many of those items can be worn in various ways with each other?
It is important to pack the lease amount of clothing possible, so focus on items that can be paired with one another in a multitude of ways and that can be easily layered. Also, pack at least two pairs of shoes: one pair that’s comfortable enough for walking all day in, and another pair that’s appropriate for “dressing up” your evening outfit.
For tips on folding and an example of what I pack for a week-long trip, click here.
Happy travels!
Cute video! I always take at least one dress too. I would also add one bit of advice: try to create a capsule wardrobe where all your tops and bottoms “go” together. I see that you’ve done that with your clothing choices, but maybe it needs to be called out?
Thank you! I’ll keep that in mind when I make my next video or how-to.