Packing ‘Lite’ – How to Pack for any trip.
How to pack for any trip, have enough clothes for any occasion , and NOT break your back with that heavy suitcase.
Yes– there is an art to packing your suitcase or travel bags efficiently… and your arms and back will thank you.
First:
How long is your trip and what is your itinerary?
Is this a weekend, one week or two or longer? Do you need casual or formal clothes (or a bit of both)?
A weekend camping or biking with friends or “hanging out at the beach” requires much less thought than a weekend “meeting the parents” or a mix of business and pleasure with the Boss or Clients. Or, attending a wedding or other formal occasion.
Packing for a week’s vacation? traveling by car, air, a cruise?
Get my drift? All these scenarios have vastly different needs when it comes to the clothes you pack. Even if traveling by car, you need to think in terms of space at your destination. Will you be sharing a room? … you may not have too much space to hang your clothes? Traveling by air? … need to think in terms of the weight and carry-on restrictions.
Next:
Deciding what clothes to take? and of course, the accessories (shoes, jewellery, purse, …)
Some of us are last minute packers. You can be too if you have a good idea of what you need to take. But, for most people, that’s where you get into trouble; by throwing everything you think you need and coming home with half of them unworn.
Even if you think you’ve got it down pat — take a few minutes to think of where you’re going and what you’ll likely be doing and make a preliminary list. Don’t forget to add underwear and a belt (if your pants need them or they enhance that outfit). And think socks or pantyhose or both. Will you need a sweater or a coat or rain-slick? Remember the toiletries and other makeup (include a hairbrush).
Next:
Choose an area where you can lay out the things you want to pack. As you go in and out of your closets in the days before you really need to pack your bags, grab the clothes and other accessories as you see them and put them in that area.
Also, don’t forget– you’ll need to decide which bags or suitcases you think will hold everything.
Great start! Next time we’ll start packing!!!
