Now if you think that packing doesn’t require a real skill, then I’m here to tell you that it does not come easy for everyone. Now I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum by packing too little or too much. More often than not, it’s the later of the two. When I pack, I like to prepare for anything and everything. It is for that reason why I pack so many clothes and shoes. I once had to pay extra on an airplane to store my suitcase because the total weight was 80lbs (seriously!). In that instance, it was mostly shoes, and I only wore about three pairs the entire trip. So I find that there is an art to packing, which is just upfront planning and preparation. This art has taken me several years to perfect, and I’m still working to improve my packing skills.
As I mentioned above upfront planning is a big piece to properly filling your suitcase. Now this means to understand what you will be doing on each day of your trip. Only then can you start to plan your outfits for each day or occasion. I like to prepare a spreadsheet (or list) weeks in advance to determine each outfit and if I need to purchase anything new for the trip. So many times I would do this while I was packing the night before or day of, this lead to packing unnecessary items or outfits that weren’t altogether complete. I would always say “I might wear this with that one outfit,” but I never do.
Now after you have planned out your outfits, you will need to prepare. When I prepare, I try on each potential outfit option to see if it works for the occasion. Another reason to try on the outfit is to make sure that everything fits as you would expect. It is crucial in this step to try your outfits on with the appropriate shoes and undergarments, as this might change the look. By trying your clothes on, this also prevents unneeded packing but also prevents you from packing items that do not fit or look right.
The spreadsheet or list should be up to date with the outfits that you want to take on your trip. This list will also act as a packing checklist, so you do not forget anything. Trust me; nothing is worse knowing that you forgot socks or that strapless bra you were planning with a dress. Yes, I’ve been guilty of both.
By doing the work in advanced rather than while you are packing may seem like a lot. However, all this work in advance will prevent many packing mistakes. This amount of planning and preparation may take some time to get used to, but you will be thankful while on your trip. I hope this was helpful for you all. Below, I am sharing some of my favorite travel accessories. What are some packing skills are useful to you?
- Herschel Passport Case
- Herschel Travel Pouch
- Lo & Sons Pouch
- Herschel Carry On
- Lo & Sons Catalina Weekender
- Away The Bigger Carry On
This article is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned above. They are my thoughts and preferences.
Photo by @cristaltapp
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