Packing for Trips 101

You’re getting ready to go on an awesome trip. You’re excited and really looking forward to it. Until it’s time to pack.

Am I the only one who feels completely overwhelmed by packing? (And then ends up overpacking, underpacking, or somehow both?)

Through A LOT of trial and error, I’ve come up with the following tips that make packing for trips a breezy breeze.

1. Consider the details

Check the weather (more than once). Think about your travel companions. Research the destination. Think about the activities that you’ll be doing. Will it be mildly warm or blisteringly hot? Will it be a bit nippy or freezing cold?

Are you traveling with your family? With your partner? Solo? With other couples? With friends?

What do people who have traveled to your destination have to say about it? What are their recommendations and experiences with travel during the time of the year that you’ll be there?

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Think about the overall vibe at your destination. Are you going on museum tours? Are you going on nature excursions? Will you be hanging out by a pool? Are you eating in fancy restaurants or in street joints?

Gather as many details as you possibly can. This will empower you to make informed and confident decisions.

2. Pick a color palette

I like to travel light. Picking a color palette helps me accomplish this.

For family vacations, we have a 26-in suitcase for all four of us. Are we traveling for a week? That’s the one suitcase we bring. Are we staying somewhere for a month? That’s still the suitcase we’ll use.

When I travel with my husband, we pack a 22-in carry-on. And when I travel by myself, I only bring an under-seat personal item.

Picking a color palette really optimizes your travel wardrobe. When everything goes together, it’s easier to mix and match pieces and get multiple uses out of each item.

3. Select versatile pieces

Besides picking a color palette, be strategic about the pieces that will be making it into the vacation wardrobe.

Pick items that can be worn multiple ways and that work together. Select fabrics that travel well and are comfortable for long days of X, Y, or Z.

The right pair of sneakers is comfortable and goes with everything. Button up shirts can be worn in many different ways. A pair of nylon, polyester, or bamboo shorts takes less space and can potentially be more comfortable than a pair of jean shorts.

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Push yourself to think outside the box. And this goes for headwear, tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, and jewelry. Exception: Weddings and other events that require a specific attire.

4. Plan your outfits beforehand

The best way to know if the pieces you’re bringing are versatile enough is to actually think about the outfits based on the activities planned for the trip.

I like my items to fit seamlessly into at least 2-3 outfits (unless it’s a short trip where I can bring unique looks that still fit inside the suitcase that I’m using). This step will help you weed out pieces that may not work great in the context of this trip.

And, yes, do this for every member of the family.

Bonus: When you’re at your destination, you’ll know exactly what to wear and when.

5. Use packing cubes

Packing cubes have been a game changer in keeping clothes organized, especially when traveling with the whole family. We each get 2-3, and the whole wardrobe needs to fit there.

I usually organize them into

• underwear, socks, pajamas, swimsuits (small cube)
• regular clothes (medium or large cube)
• “specialty items” (medium or large cube)

As the trip progresses, the dirty clothes go directly into the suitcase, while the clean clothes remain in each person’s cubes. At the end of the trip, anything left in the cubes can go back in the closet, and everything in the suitcase gets washed. I cannot recommend packing cubes enough.

6. Stick to the packing list!

When the time to pack comes, do not, I repeat, do NOT deviate from your packing list.

You took time to plan those outfits based on solid research. You thought about the weather, about your activities, others’ recommendations . . . whatever is on your list is perfect.

Those impulse shorts or extra two tees that you want to add at the last minute will not be necessary. Do. NOT. Bring. Them.

Stick. To. The. List.

I know this planning process takes more time beforehand. But I’ve found that I enjoy the anticipation of thinking through all these details and actually putting together vacation outfits. My kids have also learned to enjoy it, and they get genuinely excited as we talk about what we’ll be doing during our trip.

As a hot mess mom who may or may not also be a control freak, this process has helped me tremendously when it comes to preparing and actually packing for trips. I hope it (or a version of it) helps you as well.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of El Paso Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.