Packing Advice + Travel Essentials
I love to travel, but it took me years to finally get packing “right.” I use to overpack like crazy! I specifically remember in college I would just grab all the clothes I liked at the time without any planning and would just throw them in. Half the time my suitcase would be too heavy and I’d have to switch random belongings into my carry on or into whoever’s bag I was traveling in! (Thanks mom 🙂 )
Since we are on our way to Houston, TX and I have so much more travel coming up, I wanted to share my packing advice and travel essentials with you all! I still learn new tips and tricks all the time that help me pack and honestly, I feel like it’s truly a science. I may not have it down perfect, but I’ve definitely become much better, smarter and more efficient with my packing since putting much more thought into the process!
Bonus: Some of these items make GREAT gifts! It can be hard for me to pick out last minute gifts, so keep your eye out for an upcoming gift you may need!
Packing Advice + Travel Essentials
CLOTHING:
- PLAN: The best advice I can give when you are packing is to literally plan EXACTLY what you are going to wear. Obviously, weather may effect this but try your best to think about what you are doing on your trip and plan your entire outfit ahead of time. This not only saves you room in your suitcase but saves you time on your trip that you could spending doing something a little more relaxing rather than stressing about what you are going to wear. I recently got this Calpak luggage set from Nordstrom and I could not be more happy with it, so I wanted to share it here for you all as well!
- THINK MINIMALLY: Recently I have been putting more thought and effort into packing more basic pieces of clothing so that I can mix and match rather than bring a new top, pants, skirt, etc. for every outfit. Again, this will save you room in your suitcase!
- PACK STRATEGICALLY: Unless I am going on a week long vacation, I typically try and leave my clothes in my suitcase. For shorter trips, pack your outfits together the best that you can so that it is easier to stay organized while you are actually on your trip! This also helps if you are someone that likes to unpack everything at the hotel. Short trip or not, make sure to hang your nicer clothes or ones that could become wrinkled. Packing cubes are an AMAZING way to help stay organized in your suitcase!
- BE NEAT: Folding your clothes neatly when you packing for your trip and packing for your trip back home is such a help! I always dread unpacking after a trip, but when everything is folded neatly, it is so easy to unpack at home! Pro Tip: Put the clothes you know need to be washed in a separate part of your suitcase, so that you can easily throw them into your hamper when you return home. I recommend this travel laundry bag from Amazon to keep in your suitcase. It expands into a full laundry bag and then zips up into a compact pouch!
- LEAVE A LITTLE ROOM: If you are a shopper (like me), then leave your self some space! You never know what you may find on your trip, whether it’s for business or pleasure!
ACCESSORIES, CARRY ON & TOILETRIES:
- CARRY ON BAG: Only pack what you KNOW you are going to use! In the past, I have packed too much in my carry on and it becomes extremely heavy to carry through out the airport! Here is the backpack I have been using recently as my carry on!
- TOILETRIES: I can not emphasize enough to invest in compact sizes for as many products as possible! It saves so much room and is way less hassle! No more large Ziplocs with your giant sunscreen, dry shampoo and hairspray! Here are some of my favorite products that are travel sized!
- SHOES: ONLY PACK THE SHOES YOU NEED!! This goes along with planning ahead of time! I always try to wear shoes that are going to take up more space to the airport so that they do not take up room in my suitcase (example: sneakers)
- JEWELRY: Make sure to plan your jewelry with your outfits! I highly recommend getting a travel jewelry pouch to keep your jewelry safe and organized. Here are some that I have read good reviews on!