Some of the best travel advice I ever received came fro Colleen Tanjeloff, a Chloe + Isabel leader, who has perfected packing for travel to an art form. Her controlled way of packing leaves all the bulky suitcases at home and helps make for a relaxing trip. Here are a few tips:
Plan ahead, don't procrastinate. I always start a list on my phone with everything I want to bring days (sometimes weeks) before I leave for a trip. This way nothing is rushed and sometimes I’ll even start to pile up what I plan to pack a few days ahead of time so I can make sure everything is clean and ready when it’s time to put it in my suitcase.
Pack in outfits, not in separates. I always always map out my travel plans and pick out ahead of time what I will wear to each event and dinner on our schedule. I also try to make sure these outfits somewhat coordinate so I can reuse them throughout the trip. For example, if I plan to wear my maxi dress to dinner with Dave's associates and jeans and silk blouse to dinner with Dave the following night, I’ll pack a pair of shoes that coordinate with both so I only need to pack one pair of heels. Same goes for my daytime outfits. If I can get away with only bringing one pair of shorts or jeans then I will wear them more than once to save space. Even though I pack in a carry on I always bring a back up outfit. It’s usually a dress that I can wear day or night and gives me peace of mind should I have an unplanned dinner out with friends. I also make sure to throw and extra white t shirt in my bag because I can always wear it in a pinch with a pair of jeans, great shoes and lots of accessories.
I used to pack items I never wear at home thinking that my vacation would be the perfect place to finally wear that funky top I bought on sale and never found the perfect occasion to debut it. The truth is- if if you haven’t worn it at home you most likely will not wear it on vacation. This also goes for work-out clothes. Unless you are going on a very active trip or you are the type to hit the gym each day leave the work out clothes at home.
Accessorize! Accessories are a big packing help. One small jewelry roll will easily fill the space of a pair of flip flops and can transform one outfit from day to night. With a little help from your makeup case, a sparkly eye or a little darker lip color, you could achieve a night out dancing or to dinner with the boss. I pack a clutch purse inside my tote and that counts as my "purse" for airline purposes, but as my pool and shopping tote when I get there. The maxi dress doubles as my "fancy dinner" with my statement necklace, but the statement necklace will also update my cotton tank top, jeans and moto jacket for clubbing. I'll bring a 3-row convertible necklace to wear during the day with my blouses and shorts (or maxi skirt) for shopping and lunches with friends. I'll pack statement earrings, a wrap bracelet to add to my other favorite every day arm candy, a set of duo studs for everyday and round it all out with a great statement ring. I'm set for all kinds of purposes! Even if we head out for a hike, I've got myself covered with my tank, shorts, sweater, sneakers, wrap bracelet and studs!
Don't over pack and hang up everything when you arrive. This will help ease the need for pressing your clothes upon arrival and helps you remember the outfits you have chosen. When you hang up your clean clothes after wearing them, that will help get an additional day of wear. I pack in a hard-sided carry on size suitcase. I pack clothes on 1 side (sturdy fabrics on bottom, followed by cottons and silks on top) I cover everything with a swim cover up or poncho before I buckle it all in. I lay shoes, toiletries, and extras on the other side.
Make use of your Personal bag. I always bring a tote as my "airline approved purse" and add the following items: 1) my clutch/handbag to save room in my luggage and to hold my wallet and purse essentials 2) blanket scarf because it can be cold on the plane or a night time arrival 3) straw or baseball hat 4) reading material or iPad 5) headphones 6) water and healthy snacks 7) socks so I can take off my shoes!
I'm traveling to Vegas with Dave in May, and I will once again face snickering from him when I begin to pack. He is an over-packer, and my snickering comes when we pack to head home and he has 3 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, workout clothes, and sneakers that haven't been worn. I will be gone for 5 days and here is my usual packing list:
- Favorite jeans
- Maxi OR linen dress (yes, I pack linen in tissue b/c it's okay to have a little linen wrinkle)
- 2 - Short-sleeved printed blouses
- Denim shorts
- Cartigan sweater (what I'll use to cover my clothes in the suitcase)
- Swimsuit (I'll use my denim shorts and light cartigan for a coverup)
- Maxi skirt (wear on plane)
- Cotton tank top (wear on plane)
- Black moto jacket (wear on plane)
- Sandals in neutral
- Heels in neutral
- Adidas sneakers (wear on plane)
I dress in layers on the plane and carry along my warmest jacket to save room in my luggage. My moto jacket can be thrown in my tote when it gets too warm. I also never wear light colors when traveling - you have no idea just how big of a mess a kids' snacks can make. Pack an empty water bottle and fill it before you get on the plane. Make sure to download your favorite movie and music before you head to the airport.
I always plan out my daily outfit for day and night, and when you know and have a plan, your trip becomes much less complicated and much more fun! Give it a try on your next trip.
