For those who don’t get the chance to travel frequently, the one thing that can be even more daunting than visiting a new location is packing your suitcase. It can be really difficult not to overpack, especially when visiting a different climate than you live in. The urge to bring every piece of clothing that could possibly be needed on vacation is real.
Whether you’re spending your summer studying abroad, visiting friends or family, or going on a fun vacation, here are three tips to make sure you pack just what you need!
- Create a capsule wardrobe
-
A capsule wardrobe is a small selection of simple clothing items that can be paired in different ways to create a plethora of outfits. Typically, they contain pieces that fit within a small color scheme. Many people tend to go with neutral colors, but that isn’t necessary!
Capsule wardrobes can be really useful when your vacation is long but you still want to pack light. So if you don’t want to check a bag on your flight or deal with thinking about your outfit in the mornings, make a capsule wardrobe!
Here’s an example for a two-week-long trip: two dresses, two pairs of shorts, two pairs of pants, between three and six tops, one jacket, and two pairs of shoes.
Capsule wardrobes can still be useful for those who aren’t worried about packing lightly. To transform a capsule wardrobe into a more exciting collection of vacation clothes, add on a few more “fun” pieces, whether that be adding color, extra shoes or different layering pieces. This will give you more variety in your outfits, but you’ll still have a basic wardrobe of clothes you know you will wear. Capsule wardrobes do not have to be boring!
When creating a capsule wardrobe, I think about the pieces I already wear the most at home and build from there. The key is to not add anything uncomfortable or unflattering, as you’d be wasting space in your suitcase that could be reserved for an item you’ll actually wear. - Consider your destination
-
It’s important to think about where you’re going to be spending the majority of your time. For example, if you have reservations at a nice restaurant, you’ll likely need to bring a fancier outfit, or if you’ll be visiting religious sites, you’ll need something modest to wear. If you won’t be near the water, maybe don’t bring every bikini you own — one or two will do!
Similarly, it’s crucial to pack according to the weather. You won’t want to wear pants in places with no air conditioning if it will be upwards of 80 degrees outside! You will also regret forgetting your jacket if you’re traveling north.
- Pack your clothing in packing cubes
-
Personally, I hate to be disorganized on vacation — I want to be able to get dressed in the morning without digging around in my suitcase. To avoid this, I use packing cubes to separate my clothing into bunches of one to three outfits.
Rather than grouping my clothing by category, I separate it into full outfits in order to make my mornings quick and easy, so I can get to the sightseeing that I am traveling for. Packing cubes also help to condense your clothing, allowing you to pack more than you would be able to without them.
These tips will help you pare down the amount you pack while ensuring that every thing you bring has utility and will serve you well. This summer, make packing your suitcase the least stressful part of your trip!