Leaving on a Jet Plane

A friend asked me to do a post on how to pack efficiently for vacation. I always seem to be the go-to person when it comes to packing. I have literally been asked over to friends houses just so I can fold their clothes and put them in their bag. These friends  claim they would just throw them into their bag in balls, which is most likely true but also lazy & NOT efficient! With the way airline companies are charging for bags these days anyways, making sure you have exactly what you need is important. My friend who asked me to do this post is going to Las Vegas next week for a conference and will also be spending her free time exploring the city and going out. I, too, will be traveling in the coming weeks to Connecticut and NYC. So what better time to inform everyone and remind myself how to provide the most bang for your buck when packing?!

Before you even start to pack: 
First off: Make sure you take the right size luggage. If you are going for a weekend, there is no need for that big hulking suitcase that can carry 75 pounds worth of clothes. A nice weekender bag (bonus points if you can carry it on the plane with you!) will do just fine.


Second: Check the weather. This way you don't chance packing something that is completely useless during your vacation. You know the occasion that you are going for; pack what is appropriate. For instance, if you are going to Miami for a few days, do not pack 5 jackets. The only time they are needed in Miami is when there is a cold-front, which happens about one week out of the year & I can guarantee it probably won't be when you are visiting. You need bathing suits, casual clothes & sandals for daytime shopping/lunch/sight-seeing, and nicer clothes for going out at night. BAM!


Now when you are deciding what to pack:

Pack clothes that are good multi-taskers. In the instance of my friend attending the conference: I told her to pack dresses and skirts that she could pair with blazers and flats during the day and then switch over to heels at night. Also, you don't need 5 clutches if you are spending 3 nights in a city. Pack one big day bag and one clutch. That's it. Done.

Pack clothing that you know you are going to wear! You know those jeans you wear 5 of the 7 days in a week? There's a reason for that. Pack them! You don't need to start pulling out those old slacks that haven't seen any form of daylight in 3 years from the bottom of your drawer. Actually, if you have those it's probably time to toss them.


I find that it's easier to make a list of everything you need before you even get started. Like a week in advance. Seriously. No joke. That way you can add things to it randomly whenever you think of them. Highly unlikely you're going to forget something if you started planning a week ahead of your flight instead of an hour. It can also help you out to plan your outfits ahead of time so you aren't sitting in your hotel room for 3 hours just trying to figure out which top works best with your jeans.

Also, if you are planning on taking a carry-on instead of checking your luggage, make sure you don't have any inappropriate items that security will make you toss. If you aren't sure what is allowed, check the TSA website here: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/index.shtm.

Finally, don't forget to grab those random things that you use every day without thinking about it. Yes, I am talking about your toothbrush, deodorant, and hair brush. I'm sure we have all landed in a foreign city and been ready to start our day just to realize that we forgot something essential. Nobody likes someone with bad breath or smelly pits, so pack them! It's also good nature to throw a little baggie into your suitcase for dirty clothes. This way, they stay separated from the clean clothes during your return trip home.


How to pack:
Now that you have your clothes together, this is how you should pack:


It has been said that rolling your clothes instead of simply folding them saves space. I've done it both ways and each works fine for me, just make sure that there is a system to it. I always like to put my jeans and shorts together, dresses and skirts together, and tops together, lingerie & underpinnings together. That way when you get to where you're going, you aren't tearing apart your whole suitcase searching for that one sock. It may also help to pack your socks in your shoes if you are really worried about space.


When it comes to jewelry, I always pack mine individually into little Ziploc bags or small jewelry bags. It is best if you leave some of the chain hanging out of the bag when you zip them up. This way, there is less chance that the chain gets tangled during travel. I usually pack all my rings together in a little bag and then my earrings and bracelets in another.


For your carry-on, make sure you pack a bag small enough to be carried on but large enough to carry all your essentials (do you really want to have 5 totes on one shoulder when you're trying to find your ticket?). In it, pack your magazines, books, a nice pashmina or shawl, and make sure to charge your iPod or laptop before leaving for the airport.


A parting thought: don't forget to leave a little extra room in your suitcase or pack a small tote that fits nicely into your luggage during your initial flight. We all know that vacations mean shopping, and, if you're like me, LOTS OF IT! And I'm sure you would rather spend your money on that hot new dress than an extra duffel bag.


DISCLAIMER I am notorious for overpacking, as I'm sure most of you are. While I believe it is important to narrow down your options as much as possible, there are occasions where you will need an outfit for a completely random occasion that pops up (who knows, maybe you will be visiting LA and get invited to the Grammy's. Highly unlikely, but ya never know!) So if you feel the need to pack that floor-length gown and you can't let it go, just do it. If you don't wear it, at least you will see it hanging gloriously in your hotel closet every time you wake up. Who wouldn't want to wake up to Dior?

Happy Travels!