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Five tricks to get the most out of your travel wardrobe - without compromising style
If you pack smart, you can pack less. That can save you money -- you can take a smaller bag and not have to check it -- and give you more space for souvenirs and the free toiletries provided to you. Even Donald Trump steals the slippers from his hotels. Win, win, win.Still, I am not one to condone wearing the same thing every day in the interest of saving space. On the other end of the spectrum, you don't have to pack a totally different outfit for every day you're going to be gone (or two, if you're planning on dressing up for dinners). There is a happy medium. Here are Five tricks to get the most out of your travel wardrobe while still being impeccably well-dressed.
1. Pick a color scheme and stick with it.
If everything you pack matches, you can pack less. If you have two pairs of pants or pants and a skirt, two shirts and two jackets or sweaters that all go together reasonably well, that's 2^3 outfits (eight). That's right. Math.
2. Basic clothes, eye-catching accessories.
You can get away with wearing those basics twice if the eye-catching part of your ensemble is the tie or scarf (or statement jewelry). And you can fit a lot of ties and scarves in a suitcase.
3. You only need three pairs of shoes. Seriously.
While having lots and lots of shoes to choose from is nice, when you're traveling, you need to focus on smaller, lighter accessories or your bag is going to be overweight. You only need one pair of good dress shoes (bring the ones you like so much you don't mind wearing them over and over), a pair of good walking shoes and, if there's a beach involved, a pair of flip flops. That's all. Don't kid yourself.
4. Alternate wisely.
Part of the trick to not looking like you're wearing the same thing every day is to not wear the same top or dress two days in a row (that's the most noticeable part of the outfit). And, if you have a particularly fabulous dress or shirt or a crazy pair of jeans, you can only wear it once, so plan ahead. Also, don't ever try to dress down a print the day after you wore it to dinner. Go back to a basic.
5. You have to unpack.
When you get to your destination, to get the most out of your travel wardrobe, you have to take all the stuff out of the suitcase. Hang it up, put it in drawers. If you don't do this, not only will your clothes look like they just came out of a suitcase (seriously, you can't hide it), but you'll forget what's in there. You need to unpack it to be able to see it all properly.
While having lots and lots of shoes to choose from is nice, when you're traveling, you need to focus on smaller, lighter accessories or your bag is going to be overweight. You only need one pair of good dress shoes (bring the ones you like so much you don't mind wearing them over and over), a pair of good walking shoes and, if there's a beach involved, a pair of flip flops. That's all. Don't kid yourself.
4. Alternate wisely.
Part of the trick to not looking like you're wearing the same thing every day is to not wear the same top or dress two days in a row (that's the most noticeable part of the outfit). And, if you have a particularly fabulous dress or shirt or a crazy pair of jeans, you can only wear it once, so plan ahead. Also, don't ever try to dress down a print the day after you wore it to dinner. Go back to a basic.
5. You have to unpack.
When you get to your destination, to get the most out of your travel wardrobe, you have to take all the stuff out of the suitcase. Hang it up, put it in drawers. If you don't do this, not only will your clothes look like they just came out of a suitcase (seriously, you can't hide it), but you'll forget what's in there. You need to unpack it to be able to see it all properly.
Gallery: Can the SCOTTEVEST be your third carry-on?
Filed under: What's in Your Pack?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ayngelina Apr 30th 2010 8:59AM
Depending on where you are I think you only need 2 pairs of shoes. I'm in Mexico and I have one pair of hiking sneakers and a pair of chacos (sport sandals). I have yet to go somewhere nice enough to need dress shoes. If I do I'll just buy a pair off the street.
Debbie May 3rd 2010 6:30AM
I would like to see all this fit in a carry on... you forgot 8 pairs of under garments, socks or stockings and any medications you have to take. I suppose you could buy toiletries when you get there. I also don't see how 2 shirts can get you through a week unless you have access to hotel laundry or there are washers and dryers where you are staying.
Mary May 3rd 2010 6:33AM
These are excellent tips for packing and making your stay more pleasant without lugging too many items around. I always end up taking too many things on my trips and never wear about half of the items. The shoe situation is so true, you usually end up wearing the most comfortable ones anway. You can pack several pairs of flip flops, as they are light and don't take up much room. Unless you are on a cruise, most likely you don't really need dress up clothes, so save yourself a heavy bag and remember you can always purchase something if you really need it on a trip.
tommie May 3rd 2010 8:54AM
This advice is spot on. I traveled every week for work for years, and always packed everything I needed into a carryon. Now that I'm retired and have become a world traveler I apply those same principles. A trip is much more enjoyable if you aren't hauling an enormous suitcase!
Frank May 3rd 2010 9:32AM
One way to pack lightly is to bring only the bare essentials. When you get to your destination go to the Good Will or Salvation Army store and buy what clothes you really need. Before you leave wash the clothes and donate them back, (tax deduction).
I don't think so May 3rd 2010 1:56PM
Like I want to spend time on my trip shopping in the beginning for clothes and then doing laundry at the end. Yeah, right, like that's going to happen. Also in these economic times who has extra cash to buy clothes, wear them once and then donate them. Not me that is for sure.
chloe May 3rd 2010 9:43AM
I wish travel tips for light packing would include hints for runners. I travel 3 times a month and running shoes and clothes take up tons of space -- especially the shoes. I run everyday so not packing running shoes and clothes is not an option.
Betsy Zink May 3rd 2010 10:30AM
Sounds good for a business trip, but wouldn't work for a cruise, other vacation where you need beachwear, very dressy occasions, etc.
Bob May 3rd 2010 12:58PM
1. For travel overseas pack clothes you are tired of and throw them away. In many cases the locals will be glad to get them and you can pack more souvinerson your return flight. (never could spell)
2. Pack ALL in sealable plastic bags! Daughter's bags were left on the tarmac at DFW when a thunder storm came through. Upon arrival in London EVERYTHING had to be replaced due to water damage. And at European list prices.
3. Sealable plastic bags, if carefully loaded, can be squished under your suit case to evaucate most of the air allowing you to carry more stuff. A 1gal bag will hold 2-4 men's shirts. My suit coat and pants fit in a 2gal bag. The bags may be re-used many times.
dennis May 3rd 2010 1:04PM
we go to mexico once a yr, and i have found that if you use thes bags you put your clothes in and then roll out the air you can pack alot,if you want to.
Larry May 3rd 2010 1:14PM
Ah... Ms Reed: Excuse me, but I don't have any skirts or blouses in my wardrobe. Have any idea where I could get some? Oh, but I DO have quite a large medication intake and always wondered if that were to be considered my one and only take on bag. If Gadling only writes about women's problems, I wish they'd say up front that male travelers keep the hell out. What a crock of information you supply. Still my medication cooler is a valid question, if I promise not to tell my wife I read Gadling, do you think you could answer it?
franplatt May 3rd 2010 1:23PM
This article makes it all sound so easy, but it does not address the problems of packing for a place where the weather is unpredictable. That's where overpacking and excess weight/bulk become difficult to avoid: What do I do if it gets cold or rainy and I need to wear layers? Not every travel destination is the tropics.
Wrinkled May 3rd 2010 2:01PM
All is good and packing in plastic bags certainly does save space when traveling. The down side is they are so extremely wrinkled when you take them out. Then on your return trip you have to pack them once again inthe plastic bags or you can't fit stuff back into your bags. Especially if you've done any shopping while traveling and need to pack your purchases.
Aerin May 3rd 2010 2:45PM
My big problem is that six to seven days means wearing each item, at least, 3 times. Sorry, in any warm climate - read vacations - that really stinks, in both senses of the word. Hotel laundries charge you an arm and a leg and not all hotels provide laundries. I like the advice: "buy anything you need." In this day and age, most of us are budgeting our trips carefully and buying additional clothes - especially expensive, dress-up clothes that we already own is not practical. Nor is it practical to need to go hunting for a laundromat in areas that are not, usually, residential. And what about all the extras??? For instance, nightwear, beachwear, sportswear, etc.
Sorry, this is one of those articles that look good until you try to implement it. But I would say that it is very good advice for business trips where your needs are known in advance and the type of clothing you need is fairly standardized.
Jessica Skelton May 11th 2010 3:50PM
Awesome tips. Going to keep these in mind as I prepare to pack for my upcoming trip. I am very guilty of overpacking. I'm really going to try and keep it to three pairs of shoes, but seriously? I think I need to bring five paris - dress shoes, flip flops, tennis shoes, boots and flats. Okay, the boots may be over doing it, but flats are very easy to pack into small spaces. :)