How to Pack for a Trip
I have packed for and been on many trips in my lifetime and I can tell you it’s definitely a learning curve. There have been plenty of times I forgot a key piece of an outfit or had to run to the store for a forgotten toiletry. Eventually, I came up with a process that has almost completely eradicated those mistakes. I want to share my packing process with you so you can have a seamless packing process for all of your trips too.
Use your Itinerary
First, you want to look at your trip itinerary. Haven’t done an itinerary yet? Get started here. You can pack without one, but since you won’t know exactly what you’re packing for, there’s a big chance you won’t have everything you need. Now, look at each day of your itinerary and write down the type of outfit that you will need for each day (keep in mind you may need more than one type of outfit per day).
This first step is just a general layout of how you want your outfits to work for you. I do this step as soon as I have a completed an itinerary to see if there are any gaps in my wardrobe that need to be reconciled prior to leaving. For example, I had nothing hockey related to wear to a hockey game and needed to order a sweatshirt. The more time you have to fill the gaps, the better. Use general descriptions of the type of outfit(s) you will want for each day. For example, “casual outfit for walking” or “dressy outfit for dinner”.
Start Setting Aside Outfits
Around two weeks before the trip I will start setting aside outfits for the trip in my closet. You may not need as much time, but as someone who can change her mind a million times, two weeks is perfect for me. Find the timeline that works best for you! Putting the outfits to the side allows you to start seeing how the different pieces will interact and how you can dress up/down certain outfits. Remember to include shoes and accessories in this step as well. Shoes can take up a lot of space in a bag or suitcase so I always try to choose shoes that will go with multiple outfits.
While doing this step, try to choose outfits that can be easily dressed up or down to take them from day to night. Also remember when planning your travel day outfits, will you be able to change before doing other activities or do you need to wear a certain outfit while traveling for an immediate post-arrival activity.
Check your Toiletries
Around the same time I start setting aside outfits for the trip, I also check my toiletries to make sure nothing needs to be ordered or replenished before I leave. This is also the point where I will make a list of things I can’t pack until the day we leave. This list gets put into my toiletries bag so I can look at it the day we leave and ensure I got everything packed. There is a PDF checklist below for toiletries you can use to help you pack for your trip.
Check other Essential Items
There are some items I have learned to ALWAYS have on me while traveling. When I first started traveling, some of these items were things I would have said “if I need it, I’ll run to the store and get it while we’re there”. There’s a couple problems I encountered with that logic. First, you may not have easy access to a store. There may not be one nearby or you may have to pay for an extra rideshare to get to there. Second, you may not actually feel well enough to physically go to the store at all. Since encountering these barriers, I keep certain items on me at all times while traveling. The checklist below is one I use for myself and I highly recommend you look at it to see if these are items you want to carry with you in the future.
If you take prescription medications, make sure you will not run out of anything while on vacation. You do not want to end up mid-vacation without your medications and trying to get them filled at a local pharmacy. I check mine two weeks before the trip to allow time for the pharmacy to get them filled. While I know it doesn’t normally take that long to fill a prescription, if your doctor has to be contacted for refills then it can take longer than you think.
Start Packing
To avoid wrinkles, I would recommend waiting to pack your bag/suitcase until the day before your trip. As you pack, pretend that you are about to put each individual outfit on to ensure you have all items needed for the outfit packed. If you are like me and live out of your suitcase during your trip instead of unpacking it in the hotel room, try to pack your outfits in the order you’ll need them. That just helps avoid making more mess and also reminds you what outfit you chose for that day.
The day-of list you made previously with items that couldn’t be packed until the day of leaving, lay that out in a place you will see it on your day of departure. I usually lay mine out on my bathroom vanity so I can check items off as a put them in my suitcase.
Other Tips
I have tried using the packing cubes that went viral on social media and I actually found them to be less efficient than just packing as I usually do. I personally do not recommend them, that money can be spent on other travel items.
Don’t forget to periodically check the weather forecast for your destination leading up to your day of departure. Make any necessary changes or additions to your suitcase based on the forecast.
If you travel often for different lengths of time, I highly recommend investing in 4 different packing vessels; airport backpack, duffel bag, carry-on suitcase, large suitcase
Let me know if you would like a breakdown of how I use different luggage pieces and what travel items I recommend to make traveling easier. Don’t forget to check out the links below to see how to plan your trip and create an itinerary. Check out the Travel Adventures page to see if I’ve been to your destination.
Until Next Time,
Happy Packing!
