At a young age my mother taught me how to pack for a vacation. Her technique took at least two weeks, over which time she would put out all her luggage on an unused table. Slowly the suitcases would fill up with the perfect wardrobe, toiletries and other sundries. I don’t need to tell you she never forgot a toothbrush or a hairbrush, or anything else for that matter. My mother was organized and disciplined when it came to packing. She still is. Unfortunately I don’t have the spare table where I can set aside all my vacation items. I must rely on carefully prepared lists, but even these have failed me, like the time I left behind my son’s security blanket. I don’t think he or I slept at all that vacation.
As I write this I am away from home, spending a week at the beach with my family, and I must tell you my packing was slip slop at best. I’ve always dreamed of having a fabulous travel wardrobe, but for better or for worse I usually just bring the clothes I wear the most in my daily life, with perhaps a bathing suit or a warm coat thrown in for good measure. I no longer use the list to help me stay organized, and I still don’t have a spare table, instead I pack up my toiletries in advance and store them in a carry-on in the closet. Then, a day or maybe even an hour before departure, I throw a lot of T-shirts and my favorite jeans in a bag. It works, sort of, but I can’t help of dream of a better way.
Thankfully the web is there to help, and many of my favorite bloggers love to share their expert tips. Here are a few links to the best articles and inspiration I’ve seen on how to pack for vacation.
How To Pack For Vacation
- Recently Gweneth Paltrow journeyed with her family to Indonesia. How do I know this? Well, I subscribe to Goop, her still kind of personal blog. The images are great fun, but what I really find interesting are her suggestions for packing. From business trips to city weekends, here’s what this celebrity takes with her: Packing tips for travel from Goop.
- Normally I prefer road trips over airplane travel, but should I ever fly again I will definitely check Wardrobe Oxygen’s suggestions for in-flight harmony. What to Pack – Flight Carry On Essentials discusses everything she brings with her on the plane.
- As always, Allways in Fashion finds a fascinating way to discuss what many others have discussed before, but she just does it so well and from a slightly different viewpoint. Her beautifully written article on traveling in style is not to be missed.
- Would you like some eye candy to help inspire your vacation preparation? The Art of Packing by the ever chic and fabulous Park and Cube features a beautiful Louis Vuitton suitcase and gorgeous photos too.
- A couple of years ago I boarded an airplane for a weekend away with my husband. Nervous about all the changes in airport security I did a fair amount of research and came up with a post all about it. Check out Travel in Style for my tips on air travel and packing for a weekend get away.
- Here’s a fun Pinterest board with lots of inspiration and images on the subject of Packing. I’m always updating my board Travel in Style with new images too.
- Some of the most thorough packing tips I’ve seen on-line come from Real Simple Magazine. Packing Tips from the Pros includes the phycology of packing for vacation, ratios of bottoms to tops and a detailed tutorial on how to roll, fold and bundle. I’ll be using their strategies on my next trip for sure!
- There’s lots of advice on the internet on how to pack for vacation, but what about tips on what not to bring with you? What Not to Pack from Independent Traveler.com has some good advice on what to leave behind.
- For the past several years I have enjoyed road trips with the family every summer. One day I will fly again, and the first place I want to visit is Paris. I lived there for two years in college and my heart never truly left. If you’re planning a vacation to Paris, or any European capital for that matter, you simply must check out Travel Tips: Packing for France by L’Amour de Paris. This article will give you an in-depth description of what sorts of clothes to pack and why you need to pack less not more.
- Finally, the venerated Fodors Travel Guide suggests a few more ways to Slim Down Your Suitcase.
Well, now I just need to go on vacation again so I can try out all these tips. What do you think of these suggestions? Will you try any on your next trip?
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