On travel wardrobe

Much is written on how to pack for a trip. Here is my take based on personal experience and work with my clients. Let’s pretend I’m packing with you.

First step in planning is determining a few details:

• length of your trip;

• number of travelers;

• location of your trip (city, country, beach, park, combination);

• size of your luggage;

• season of the trip (might be different from the season in the zone where you live);

• any appropriate wear/dress code requiring events or visits, such as to places of worship, business meetings, formal occasions;

• level of physical activity and any applicable special equipment;

• size of your train case, including hair care, and medicine;

• access to the laundry facility during the trip;

• plans for shopping on the trip.

Next, let’s start from the bottom of the list. 

If you would like to buy certain wearable items (a location t-shirt? A hand-embroidered blouse?) or toiletries (sunscreen?) on your trip and have the budget of time and money for that, then in place of the existing items that could be replaced by those you plan to purchase, pack an extra folding bag (Ikea has good options). You might need it while traveling or on your return trip. Extra points for it being a backpack.

I usually pack as many panties as there are days in the trip (my travels don’t usually exceed 2 weeks). Almost everything else can be worn more than once (pants, skirts, sweaters), be skipped if needed (socks, bras) or washed by hand (socks, bras, t-shirts). This could completely eliminate the need for a long and potentially pricey laundry.

I pack half-used toiletries to finish on the trip, and after discarding empty self-care product containers, on my way home I have a little new extra space for souvenirs. 

Comfortable shoes, safety equipment and protective clothes cannot be left out. Making room in your bag for those is essential. However, see what you can rent (bike helmet?) or use as a day-wear item (rashguard?).

If your trip includes a visit to a mosque or Eastern Orthodox church, pack a full length pants or skirt, and a light (cotton or silk) large scarf which can cover your head (for women) and provide extra coverage if needed. It can be even used as a kimono-type shirt. Save space in your luggage for the business attire for work, or formal clothes if you are attending a wedding or other significant event. However, you could try to cheat and multitask your items: 

-could your jacket work as a warmth-providing layer the day(s) after the business meeting?

-could your business pants/skirt be worn with a polo shirt or casual sweater on another day?

-could you wear a sweater over that bridesmaid dress to a museum — let’s say— as if the dress is a maxi skirt?

If you are going to a different climate zone, think of layers. Your best bets would be items that layer well with each other, so thinking of the coordinating colours and styles is important. Also, remember the rain gear (jackets, umbrellas) as well as the sun gear (hat, sunglasses). The climate might also dictate the bag/purse you carry on the trip: should it be large enough to fit an extra layer, bottle of water, or winter accessories? Would you be too hot carrying the backpack? Would you need an easy access to a particular part of that bag all the time (to get out the sunglasses in place of regular prescription ones while going in and out of shops, for instance)?

And now— how are we going to fit all of that into your luggage? I’m rarely not checking a bag, so I prefer to fly luggage-friendly airlines. If flying to Europe, it’s Turkish Airlines (up to 2 free pieces of luggage per passenger). United is great if you are a MileagePlus card holder - that could give you a free checked bag plus one for your companion. Why checking the bag is important for me? I don’t like my toiletries confiscated at the border control/airport security checkpoint; I don’t like not to have an extra pair of comfortable shoes for I blister easily; I don’t want to spend time and money buying yet another overpriced sweater or jacket that doesn’t even fit my wardrobe only because I’m cold… However, I certainly understand the risk of a lost suitcase. So, in my carry-on, I try to have one change of clothes, the smallest/thinnest/lightest items works best.

Time to edit the pile of clothes before actually putting it into the suitcase. Let’s see if anything is out of place. Are you going to a country-side retreat and packing sequins? Did you pack too many t-shirts and sweats while planning a museum-heavy city trip? Check for anything that seems out of place at your vacation/trip point.  Again, see what clothes can multitask, subtract a couple of items that cannot or are overly bulky, heavy (by weight), or wrinkle too easily; and add one item that could be easily layered and is style-flexible.

Still too much stuff for your luggage? Fear not if you have a fellow traveler(s)! If you are traveling as a group, see if there are items that you could co-use (a scarf, a hat, an umbrella, toiletries), especially if you plan to stay together at night and have different day-time agendas.

Last but not least, before closing your suitcase, check if you have enough clothes to form different outfits for every day of your trip. Items could be repeated as long as they are grouped/styled differently. Double points for reversible items! You don’t want to be photographed too many times in the same clothes: that visually shortens your trip for your social media followers, friends/family and— later on—yourself. Mix and match, style-proof, color coordinate—whatever is your game— and potentially get a few odd items out. I should mention here the “one piece”—dress, jumper, even bathing suit— versus “two-piece” dilemma. Although, one piece seems more practical in theory (fewer items to pack, less fussing about making at outfit, ease of wear), two well matched (possibly but not necessarily sold or made as a set) pieces work much better. They could be worn together for a monochrome put-together look or separately for variety or in case one part of the “set” gets soiled, damaged or lost (like a jacket left on a train). 

Now, let’s put it all in that bag of yours and make sure it zips well!

I always make sure not to leave for a trip without my prescription glasses, prescription sunglasses (they would work double duty should my regular glasses break), sunscreen (at least for my face), earrings that have a hook closure so I don’t have to worry about loosing then in transit, a scarf (always handy on the plane), my phone, and a crochet project. I might crochet something that I would wear on the trip, or later, thinking of the past adventure. Travel is all about making memories.