Using the most of your suitcase

Traveling can be stressful, especially if you are packing last minute. In this post, I will show you how to pack most effectively and how to bring the essentials.

Here is a display of essentials when packing for a trip

Primarily, determine what the weather will be like during your stay. You don't want to pack shorts and tee shirts for the mountains. For hot climates, pack at least one pair of jeans and leggings, and mostly shorts. for cold places, pack jeans, thermal clothing, long sleeves and jackets.

This would typically be my suitcase for a one day trip to a warm place. In the suitcase, I have Converse, mom jeans, a Tower Records tee shirt, toiletries and a swimsuit.

Second is how to pack these clothes effectively. I am going to use a week long trip to California as an example. California is known for its hot weather and beach feel. But contrary to belief, California can be cold at times. Packing around 4 pairs of shorts and 3 pairs of  jeans or other warm pants because if you go out at night, you do not want to be stuck in the shorts you wore for the 80 degree middle of the day weather. In Liliana Vazquez's book that I have mentioned in previous blog posts, she describes packing essentials in a key part of the book, saying "Pack for one extra day in case of an incident or anything unexpected such as if your flight gets delayed and you must spend an extra night, or you spill on your clothes." (Vazquez 139). To continue on this topic, you must take into account the clothes you are flying in in. that counts as your outfit for day one of a trip.

Packing for a trip will always set the mood for your whole vacation.

Next, no matter how much you would like to bring your entire closet, you cannot fit it all in one suitcase. Pack at least an outfit that would be appropriate for a nice dinner, pajamas for each night, along with your day clothes. Packing only what you need is crucial. Start by laying out what you absolutely need such as pajamas, toiletries, and cosmetic and hair products. Then, pack your pre-chosen outfits. if you cannot fit an outfit for each day in your suitcase, you need to cut somethings out such as outfits that require bulky layering or multi-garment outfits. This should cut down the size of the suitcase immensely.

When preparing for a trip, the way you arrange your clothing is a major factor that goes underestimated. I find that folding then rolling into a tube is the best way, because it is easy to stuff together. However, that is what works best for me. For someone else, they may find that folding on top of each other is best or just stuffing everything in wherever it fits is most effective.

To summarize overall, to lead the most effective packing for one's trip, I would say to only pack what you need, lay out each outfit before packing, and pack for the appropriate weather. Thank you for reading and I would love to hear what you would like to read! How do you best prepare for a vacation? What is the number one problem you face in your style? What would you like to see next?

Source: Vazquez, Lilliana. The Cheap Chica's Guide to Style: Secrets to Shopping Cheap and Looking Chic. Gotham Books, 2013.