Now, I’m not gonna sit here and tell you how to pack light because I haven’t mastered that yet, and I actually don’t know if I want to. The problem I have with packing light is that I like to have options of clothes to wear just like when I’m at home. I don’t like to have just one top for one pant/short because if for whatever reason I don’t like it when I get to my destination (even if I’ve tried it on at home), I’ll have to wear it because that’s all I have. I can’t do that so I always bring extra clothes. Not only that, but if the weather changes for whatever reason or if I’m going to different destinations that have different weather then I have to take different outfits. While I can’t show you how to pack light, I will give you some tips that I use when packing for a trip.
Rompers: Forever 21
Hat: Street vendor in Chichén Itzá, México
Sandals: Target
1. Take out the clothes you want to take on the trip and separate them into outfits. The reason for this is because if you just randomly take out a bunch of pieces of clothing, you might end up with extra tops or bottoms. Believe me, it’s happened. Besides, it helps to have a visual image of it all.
Bathing suit: Target
Sandals: Steve Madden
2. Take extra pieces of clothing for the outfits. Once you’ve separated everything into outfits, you can then take out extra pieces. For example, take extra shirts/blouses for your jeans/pants that way if for whatever reason you don’t like a certain top, you have extra to choose from. Also set this next to your outfits since as I mentioned, it helps to be visual.
3. Take shoes that you can use with multiple outfits. Once you’ve separated all the clothes into outfits and extra pieces, choose shoes that you can use with multiple outfits so you reduce the amount of shoes you take. Remember this is also what weighs the most so cutting down on that, makes your luggage lighter. This of course depends on your destination. For example, for some destinations, you can just take a pair or two of sneakers that will go with everything and that’s it. In the case of the pictures, I was packing for my trip to Puerto Rico so all I needed were sandals. I decided to take these sandals which matched everything I took. I probably could’ve cut down on one of the pairs but since they were all new, I wanted to take all 3 of them. I also took some sandals for the beach/pool and another one for the hotel room and shower. I took several sandals but since they were sandals, they weighed pretty much nothing. Also, if you decide to take sneakers, wear those on the plane so they don’t weigh your luggage down. Always wear your heaviest pieces on the plane ride.
Luggage: Nautica
4. Roll all of your pieces and then pack. By rolling your pieces, it makes it easier to find your stuff and it takes up less space. If you’re taking a hat, place the hat in first and then pack around it. Never put the hat on top of everything because you’ll end up squishing it. If you don’t want to pack it, you can always carry it with you on the plane.
5. Place all your toiletries in plastic bags. This so if for whatever reason they spill, you can just wipe it off or rinse it out. I love the luggage I use for most of my trips because it has two compartments, one on each side. So on one side I put all of my clothes, and on the other side I put all my toiletry bags and shoes. Never put anything with liquid or gel inside your luggage without putting it inside a plastic bag or Ziploc bag first because chances are it will spill and it will ruin everything inside your luggage. I have plastic bags for everything. I only use Ziploc bags for stuff I don’t take on every trip, like in this case, the insect repellent and sunscreen.
Now my luggage is neatly organized, packed and ready for travel! Hope these tips were helpful and you can use them on your next trip. If you want to know what I take as my carry-on, you can check that out on this post.
Happy travels!
