Packing for a weekend trip isn’t easy.
You may only be going away for a few days, but most of us girls like to play the “what if” game while packing.
“What if it rains?” “What if it’s super hot?” “What if I happen to run into Ryan Gosling and we really hit it off and he wants to reenact the boat scene from the Notebook?”
So what? It’s true. We fashion conscious travelers have trouble being practical.
Still, traveling as much as I have (not to mention on a pretty tight budget) has forced taught me to do just that- pack practically.
It’s not easy, but it is possible. Downsizing has become my best friend. Sometimes you just simply don’t have the space or the budget to bring more. All it takes is getting a little creative.
Here are some of my tips.
6 Tips for Practical Packing:
1. Think about where you’re going and why.
If you’re going to Paris for a long weekend of touring, do you really need to bring along those running shoes? It may seem like a good idea at the time, but if you don’t run religiously, it may be a better idea to leave them behind. If you’re not 100% positive that you’ll need something, give it a second (if you’re like me, a third) thought.
2. Check the Weather.
Check the weather as close to when you’re traveling as possible. In my experience the weather forecast always changes and it’s better to be prepared. It’s never good to wake up on a rainy day in Italy and realize that all you have to wear is your new suede shoes. (Don’t find out the hard way.)
3. Be realistic.
It’s important to pack appropriately. What type of activities will you be doing? If you’re planning on taking a two-hour walking tour, chances are those new, heeled booties you’re dying to wear aren’t the best choice. Trust me, I know it’s hard. But take them out of the suitcase and don’t look back.
4. Choose a color scheme.
If you’re only going away for a short time, think about packing in a similar color scheme. This way you can mix and match and most of your pieces will go together. For me, being a native New Yorker, my color scheme usually includes a lot of black. Black is an easy choice that goes with everything. Recently, I’ve been trying to spruce up my packing by mixing in some brighter colors for a little contrast.
5. Bring staples that go with everything.
I usually bring one handbag and one pair of comfortable shoes that work with all of my outfits. I find that bags and shoes take up the most room when packing. So, I wear my one pair of comfortable shoes (the ones that I will be touring and exploring in) and carry the one handbag with me. This way these pieces won’t take up valuable space for other things in your suitcase. (For example, if you think you’ll need a pair of fancier shoes for a night out.)
6. Plan ahead.
I know planning your outfits ahead seems like an added chore or waste of time, but it’s worth it. Every minute spent pre-planning outfits is a minute less you’ll have to think while you’re away. Planning ahead also eliminates bringing items you don’t need or won’t wear. Then you’ll even have some extra room in your suitcase to bring home those inevitable acquired treasures. =]
Hope these help!
Does anyone have other packing tricks they’d like to share?
Linkin’ up with Bonnie for Travel Tuesday today!
Great post and a great tip about choosing a colour scheme too 🙂 #traveltuesday
Thanks Holly! 😀
Great trips! I’ve quickly packed for a weekend away before and then opened my bag and realised none of the clothes have gone together and I’ve spent the whole time in a random mix of colours, so I definitely like your idea of packing with a colour scheme in mind!
I’ve done this WAY too many times. I used to always back new single pieces that I wanted to wear without thinking what I would pair them with…. You live, you learn, right? 😀
Love these tips! I do the color scheme all the time – I figure out if I want to go browns or black, and stick with it. I tend to wear a lot of black too, and then pack a colorful scarf or two to brighten things up and accessorize a little bit. And layering all the way! The more little trips I pack for, the more I realize that you really don’t need much at all.
It’s crazy how little you really NEED when you go away. What I always do is pack things I “want” because I “might” need them. I realized this way of packing is pretty silly. For now I’ll still to my black 😀
Those are great tips, and I use most of those too!
(Stopping over via travel Tuesday)
Thanks for stopping by Diana! 😀
Fab tips!! #5 is so important – being able to mix and match is key. I hate having to check a bag if I dont have to, so if I can fit everything in a carry-on, I’m a happy camper. I really love Flight 001 SpacePak bags, too – they really help condense clothes and keep dirty shoes off clean clothes in my suitcase.
Yes! Space bags are great! I have a bunch of those laying around somewhere– I should probably find them 😛 And I agree about mixing and matching! Carryon lifesaver!
haha love this! Oh I always play the ‘what if’ game and it’s always a nightmare to try and carry it all! But you’re right – the biggest one is to be realistic! And I have to be honest, flying ryanair has really helped me become a lighter packer! Everything will fit in that backpack!
Flying ryanair is literally the ONLY thing that forced me to get my act together with packing ahhaha Those stupid little boxes you need to fit your bag into. UGH 😀
good tips, having a colour scheme is something i think i should think about next time! i always either pack as if i’m leaving for forever or only take a handbag with a few things stuffed inside, haha:-) need to find a middle ground of some sort! x
I feel exactly the same! I can never seem to get it just right… I guess it will come with practice! 😀
These are great! For some reason, I’m AWESOME at packing for a long haul backpacking trip, squeezing everything I own into two small carry-ons. But when it comes to weekend getaways, I pack… exactly the same amount as if I were going away for 2 months.
I feel the same… I can pack for a week or a month.. but why is packing for a weekend so hard! I mean you do still need all the same tolietries and such, but comeon. .. We’ll get it eventually I guess
Why is it harder to pack for a weekend than for a year?
Well, for me my year pack is more a two week pack, so using it for a weekend is an overpack, for sure.
I do find the weekend odd. I’m more likely to forget something when my brain is repeating, “it’s only two days.” In that headspace, most of the long term travel items get pulled as they are overkill. .sometimes the important things (for me, tooth powder, or a hair brush) get left behind. One of the items is simple enough to replace, but I’m picky about my hair stuff.
Or my favorite…..needing to get a new charger. Bleh.
Weekend packing leaves enough room in the bag for the real camera. That’s a treat!