Packing Light Revisited

Laura over at Organizing Junkie just got back from a month in Canada, and upon returning, she wrote a blog post about unpacking and how she just hates it. I can sympathize. I don't think anyone enjoys it, but it's a necessity. One of my personal policies is to unpack the minute I get home. I may be tired, but I simply force myself to do it, because it's sooo demotivating to wake up to a full suitcase the next morning. Laura referenced a post I had written for the Stacks and Stacks blog about packing light. She said she *almost* didn't believe it was possible to pack as little as I had for an entire week out of town. Laura, I swear (and all Laura's readers), that besides the clothes I was wearing when I took the picture (a t-shirt and jeans) everything I brought for a week was in that photograph. Here are my secrets...

1. Plan EVERY outfit in advance for each day of your trip, as much as humanly possible.

2. Coordinate around ONE neutral color pair of pants or skirt. Choose EITHER black or brown. Not both. This allows you to mix and match everything which means you can build more outfits with fewer pieces of clothing.

3. Sticking to one neutral to build your wardrobe around also allows you to bring fewer pairs of shoes. Shoes are bulky, so I try to bring only ONE casual pair and ONE business pair. You can suck it up and make do for a week if you bring the RIGHT pair of business shoes.

4. Wear your bulkiest shoes if possible instead of packing them. Stuff the other pair with socks, underwear or other small items to make the most of your suitcase space.

5. Leave the hair dryer home. Most hotels these days have hair dryers built into the bathroom, so that's one bulky thing you can leave behind. Yay! 

6. For longer trips that you think you'll need more clothes for, remember you can usually launder or dry clean at your destination.

What are your favorite tips for packing light?

Comments

[Terry Lessig]

Your wardrobe advice works for men or women. I've been packing like that for years. It also makes the unpacking easier, and yes, do it as soon as you walk in. I usually have gifts in my bag, and if you like giving presents, it provides an extra incentive to dig in.

If done right, you only have toiletries to put away. The rest goes in the laundry.

[Gina]

Our families live six hours away so as a coping device, I learned over the years to pack light. Since our visits are usually very casual, I plan that all pants or skirts are denim. Then tops are easy. Also, I only take one pair of shoes and one pair of earrings that match everything. I take only basic makeup and some of my products do double duty. For instance rather than taking eye cream *and* moisturizer, the moisturizer is used around my eyes too.

[Jacki Hollywood Brown]

Under Armour (http://www.underarmour.ca)
It can be easily washed in the bathroom sink with just a dot of soap and will dry in hours. I only need to take one set of workout gear when I travel. It also can be wadded up into a ball and stuffed in the toes of your running shoes in the bottom of the suitcase!

[Monica Ricci]

Terry, Gina and Jacki, thanks for your comments! I appreciate your participation!
~Monica

[Laura]

Hi Monica,
I'm travelling in November on my own and I definitely want to try some of these tactics. You are an inspiration. I'm always afraid of not being prepared. I try to expect the unexpected but then end up with my entire wardrobe, you know "just in case". I never end up wearing half of it.

[Monica Ricci]

Laura, that is so much a part of it! To really pack light, you have to be willing to be a little Zen about it, and leave some things at home, knowing it's a risk, but figuring that in the grand scheme of things, you'll be fine with what you have. I can't wait to hear how it goes! I am traveling a LOT myself this year and not having to check luggage makes a huge difference, not only in time (no waiting in the check-in lines and no waiting at baggage claim), but it also makes me feel secure knowing that my luggage is always with me.

I had a friend who flew DIRECT from Philly to Atlanta a few weeks back and his luggage never made it. A DIRECT FLIGHT! I never have to worry about who's handling my bags or if they'll arrive when I arrive because they're always with me. Oh, and it helps that I have a fairly big purse (Butler Bag Hybrid), too.
~Monica