Nothing kills the #springbreak vibe like having to sit down and condense a week of your life into one conveniently-sized, overhead-compartment-friendly suitcase.
As a person who likes to pack for every possible (and sometimes impossible) situation , packing light isn’t just a downer — it’s stressful. Sometimes, I want to bring absolutely everything I own away with me. Unfortunately, 1-2 u-haul trucks are not approved as carry-on luggage.
Whether you are going on a weekend trip, or a lengthy vacation, packing can be a significant headache. Here are a few tips to make the job a breeze.
1. Figure out your luggage situation
First things first: how many/what type of bag(s) you can bring with you on your trip? How long is your stay? How are you traveling/with how many people?
If you’re hopping a flight, is a checked bag complimentary? Do you want to check a bag at all? Will your bag meet the size and weight requirements?
If you’re road-tripping, what size of a car are you in? Will your bag(s) fit in the car if all your besties have just as much luggage as you do?
Once you figure out what suitcase is making the journey with you, you can start to fill it accordingly.
2. Make a list
BUT FIRST make sure you’re not forgetting any essentials. Make a list of all the items you intend to take along for the ride.
For example: “Tops, bottoms, socks, underwear, bras, shoes, medications, toiletries” — anything you use, wear, apply or take on a daily basis and know you’ll need. I’m a personal fan of lists in general because they help me stay organized (or at least let me pretend I am). Further, a travel list does double duty as pre-packing prep and post-packing checklist to make sure that nothing important gets left behind.
3. Inquire about your access to amenities
It’s advisable — and super useful– to find out if you’ll have access to appliances during your trip. Does the hotel supply a hairdryer, or do you need to bring your own? More importantly, will there be a washer or dryer available for your use?
Doing laundry on vacation may sound like a hassle, however, if you’re away for a long period of time, planning to do laundry is a great way to pack a little lighter. For some, the fear of being “Lizzie McGuire, you outfit repeater!” may be real, but no need to fear. Washing staple items like jeans, socks, and underwear are an easy way to save luggage space while still bringing a sufficient array of statement pieces.
4. Pack around your itinerary
Now, this might seem obvious, but I can already see you saying the words “outfit options.” This term is the root of all packing ills: a bag that’s too heavy, items that are impossible to find, that heart-sinking moment when you unpack your bag and uncover three whole outfits that you never even thought to wear.
The solution is simple: Figure out what you’re doing specifically each day, and pack accordingly. Understanding the exact activities you will be partaking in, when they’ll be, and what the weather will be like when you’re doing them makes it more difficult to forget things you’ll need, and even more importantly, less likely that you’ll over-pack.
If the intimate details are a mystery to you, there’s is no need to fear! I went home for spring week and did not have any idea what I would be doing while home. I had to carry my luggage on multiple trains, so I had to try to pack light. I made sure to bring versatile clothes and shoes that I could wear for various activities. While I was admittedly stressed that I couldn’t plan each outfit, the method of bringing a small variety of items with multiple uses worked out perfectly for my excursion.
Planning your packing can make the task a lot less stressful. On the bright side, once the job is done you can enjoy your trip — or at least look forward to coming home.
FLEURS SAUVAGES 