When I tell people that I love to travel and love to PACK, they think I’m crazy. Their responses are things like “it just takes so much time,” or “I always overpack/under pack.” Here are a few of my tips to help avoid the drama of packing so you can enjoy the fun of traveling!
Plan. Plan. Plan.
I’m a planner for sure, so I have a general packing list I pull out before every trip. It reminds me of the things I love to bring with me, and then I can just add specific pieces from there. Most travel bloggers suggest a minimalist wardrobe or to only bring 3 toiletry items. NOT ME! As long as you plan it out and update it frequently, by the time you travel you will have the perfect list for you.
Use packing accessories
Here are my top 3 favorite travel accessories. First are these packing cubes. I only got into packing cubes in 2017. WHERE have they been all my life?! I love them so much. People use them for a lot of different reasons. If you are going to multiple destinations or have specific outfits you want to wear each day, you can pack each cube for a different purpose. Day 1 in this cube, Day 2 in this cube, etc. Personally, I just use them to keep all of my clothes organized and packed tight. I will sometimes split up my tops and bottoms and put them in different cubes. I use a smaller bag for my extra outfit I pack in my carry on (if I am traveling with a checked bag on an airplane). There are a million different options, so make sure you find a set that you love!
Next is a hanging toiletry case like this one from Thirty-One or this one from Vera Bradley. I have one from each of these brands, but the styles I have are no longer made I guess! I mentioned above that I don’t bring less toiletry items just to make everything fit, and this is how I do it. I make sure that this bag fits in with my packing cubes, and I ONLY pack what will FIT inside! If you’re thinking I also fit my makeup in here that is a big fat NOPE. I bring my makeup in a separate, smaller makeup bag. This toiletry bag is just for toiletries–toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, skincare regimen, sunscreen, razor/shaving cream, lotion, hand sanitizer, floss, mouthwash, makeup remover… just to name a few 😉
Lastly, my favorite item EVER. This. pillow. rocks. I love a good neck pillow, so I searched for a while for the perfect one. I found this and honestly laughed-but I thought why not?! It’s so much better than a regular travel pillow because it really supports your neck, which is something I need. My husband loves using it too! $30 is a little pricey, but I can promise you it is worth it. I will use it in the car during our long road trip this summer too!
Repeat items
Speaking of minimalist wardrobes… repeat clothes! If you are able, plan ahead to use the same pants or scarves or even tops! Also try to bring only 2 or 3 pairs of shoes. If you are traveling to a warm location that requires you to wear a bathing suit and cover up, then please ignore this. Pack 10 bathing suits if you want! They take up barely any space! But, if you are going to a cold area, like when we visited Atlanta this past January, or Seattle in December, you want to make sure you don’t pack so much that your suitcase is too full. (Plus, WHO cares what shirt you’re wearing when you always have on a jacket?!)
ROLL your clothes
This is something I have been doing for almost my whole life. My parents taught it to me at a young age and it stuck with me. Even for an overnight sleepover with my friends I would roll my clothes. They fit SO much easier when you roll. I roll them and then place them in my cubes!
Stay tuned for future blog posts about ALL things packing-one of my favorite topics!!
~K
DTTravel Blog 