My mother is headed to Paris in a few weeks. It’s her first overseas trip in more than five decades. She is excited, and a bit overwhelmed. So last week I spent a day helping her think through what bags to take, try on clothes, and identify any missing pieces. I love these kind of logistical challenges. And while spending this much time thinking about packing (let alone writing about it) may strike some as nutty, I think it’s time well spent — and. not just because it was fun to spend the day with her.
Travel is an investment. It’s mind-expanding and memory-making (though, as I’ve said before, we can’t really control which memories we make). But the overall cost of travel is up 9% over the past year, outpacing inflation. So if you’re going to spend all that money, it makes sense to be as prepared and comfortable as possible.
So, here’s how to pack.
Use a carry-on whenever you can
I rarely check a bag. I usually have a small rollaboard and a backpack as my carry-on items. My friend Vicki loves this carry-on spinner. It’s compact, but mighty, and it can fit under the seat in front of you if the overhead bins are full. I generally use something a little bigger, but don’t have a favorite. If I plan to take a lot of public transportation in an urban destination, I use a “travel backpack” (my friend Caroline introduced me to this one) because rollaboards get gross on subways and are hard to maneuver on city streets. Checking luggage can be expensive, risky, and time-consuming, but there are times when it’s necessary, like when you have to pack a lot of outerwear or will be on the road for a long time.
Pack early
Don’t wait to pack until the night before you leave, which increases your chances of overpacking or forgetting something you need. Start packing at least a few days before your departure and lay out everything on the dining room table or a spare bed so you can see what you’ve got and edit over time.
Make a list
Instead of starting with a list of items to pack, begin with a list of the events and activities you need to dress for. For instance, on a single day of vacation last summer, I went for a run, to the beach, and out to dinner. How many times will you dine in a fancy restaurant? Go for a hike? Spend the day visiting galleries and shops? How many of those outfits can you repeat? Figure out what you’ll be doing and work backwards from there.
Pack light, think big
Fashion writer
Cohen explains this best: “Packing a good suitcase is basically nailing one good outfit and expanding it for the sum of your bag.” In other words, pick pieces that multitask. If you’re struggling to nail one good outfit, think about the clothes that give you confidence — the outfits you feel the most “you” in.If you can’t think of a complete ensemble you love, start with one great piece. Over on Instagram, stylist Sam Williams shows you how a single pair of black linen pants can spawn eight different outfits. And she does it again with a simple black dress here.
Unless it’s a special occasion outfit (e.g., a wedding guest dress), don’t pack anything you intend to wear only once. Medine Cohen even makes her bathing suit do double duty, wearing it as a bandeau top with jeans and skirts.
Try on everything
Try everything on as you pack — even if the clothes aren’t new, and especially if you’re mixing and matching things you typically don’t pair together. All too often, an outfit looks terrific in your mind’s eye but not on your body, or vice versa. For each piece you pack, you should be able to think of at least three ways to wear it on your trip. For instance, I could wear this simple Everlane tank dress over a bikini at the beach, with flip-flops to a flea market, and with heeled sandals and some simple jewelry to dinner.
Trying everything on also helps you figure out what underwear you need to pack. Does that top require a strapless bra? Do you need shapewear for those sheer pants?
Choose performance fabrics for your basics
I’m not suggesting you go full athleisure. But many companies that make the leggings you lunge in also sell clothes that are great for travel because they are lightweight, resist wrinkles, and dry quickly. Look for categories like work/travel/commuting/everyday on websites that let you search “by activity.” Think active lifestyle brands like Patagonia, Title 9, Lululemon, Arcteryx, etc.
I’ve struck the motherlode of this type of stuff at Athleta in the past year. Consider their Urbanite Dress, Brooklyn Short, and Savannah Skirt (which looks chic with the Midtown Shirt knotted at the waist). Outdoor Voices offers three summer-perfect dresses that look good on lots of different body types: check out the Cross Back, Exercise, and One Shoulder dresses. (Bonus: they all feature built-in bike shorts with a phone pocket, which makes them great for adventure travel).
Use packing cubes
Keep like things together in your bag with packing cubes. I use one cube for shirts, one for dresses, one for pants — you get the idea. Whether you’re living out of your bag or putting the cubes into a dresser drawer at your final destination, you’ll thank me. Of all my packing tips, this one has made the biggest difference for people who’ve tried it. I love these cubes because they don’t add any weight to your bag. Vicki loves these, which compress clothes to save space.
Big purse or little purse
I bought two of these Waverley 2 convertible bags — one black and one brown — about a decade ago, and they’re usually the only “purse” I bring on trips. The Waverley holds five passports, has plenty of credit card slots, and looks great. I wear it as a hip bag when I’m traveling, as a cross-baby bag when I’m touring, and swap out the longer strap for the shorter one to turn it into a wristlet at night. I also recently bought this chain strap to make it even more versatile. On the days I travel, I throw the Waverley into my backpack, using it as a wallet. My mom will use this bag she found at Madewell in the same way. Isn’t it gorgeous? It reminds me of a Mansur Gavriel bag that would cost you three times as much.
I also often pack a simple canvas tote or market bag like this one for the times when I need something bigger. IKEA sells cute ones for $1.50. The key is to choose something that folds flat or rolls up compactly to stow in your carry-on.
Never unpack your toiletries
I keep a toiletry bag stocked and packed at all times so I can just grab it and go. No unpacking and repacking. This saves me time and ensures I’ll have everything I need. Buying twice as many toiletries can get costly, but it saves the time, money and effort involved in running out to replace something you forgot once you arrive at your destination. That said, I’m a drugstore cosmetics girl. If your beauty taste runs more expensive, splurge on travel-size products you already love or download the Brandefy app to find affordable alternatives to your high-end must haves for travel. I like packing my toiletries in this kit because it holds its shape but weighs almost nothing. (If you don’t have TSA PreCheck status, consider this one.)
Accessorize
I have nightmares of losing precious jewelry (whether its value is sentimental or monetary), so I rarely travel with any. But as I’ve already mentioned, changing up your jewelry allows you to repurpose outfits. So I pack costume jewelry (think Madewell or similar quality) in this case, and the case goes always in my carry-on.
Be thoughtful about shoes
Shoes are tough. Which is why you need to try them on with every outfit when you pack. In the summer, I usually pack running shoes, a good touring shoe (I love the Madrid Big Buckle Sandal from Birkenstock) and a heeled sandal or clog. If that doesn’t sound like enough for you, there’s always the minimalist Menorca Padded Thong Sandal, which comes in several colors, goes with everything, and takes up no space. (I don’t recommend them for long walks.) In the winter, I replace the touring shoe with a great pair of boots (I love anything from Intentionally Blank).
Use your body as a suitcase
When you fly, wear your bulkiest clothes and shoes to save room in your suitcase. If it’s a long flight, I suggest having a pair of travel slippers or fuzzy socks you can slip into for comfort. (I gave these to my mom for her Paris trip.)
Make your workout wear work
If I’m only going away for one night, I wear my workout clothes as pajamas. That way, I’m packing less and I’m less likely to skip my workout. But even on longer trips, I only take enough clothes for two workouts, which means I have one set to wear while the other dries after a sink wash.
Don’t forget the chargers and cords
I use this accessories case to store all the cords, adapters and chargers I need (except my laptop charger — that’s too big and goes into a pocket of my carry-on). Like my toiletries bag, this case is always packed and ready to go. Again, that means owning two of everything, but it also means I never forget anything (until I leave the whole bag behind in an Uber).
Instead of traveling with a traditional power brick, I bring the Anker PowerCore Fusion, which plugs into the wall for charging, but also stores power to serve as a backup battery when I’m on the go. Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack is also great, but needs to be charged separately. Airlines have gotten stingy with the free headphones, so I suggest investing in this wireless headphone adapter, which allows you to use your AirPods for in-flight entertainment. Alternatively, you can just buy a pair of the Apple EarPods with a 3.5 mm plug to keep in your carry-on.
Bonus tip
I always carry Body Glide when I travel. Designed for runners, Body Glide prevents friction caused by clothes and shoes rubbing against your skin (and from skin rubbing on skin). It’s the perfect travel companion. Use it on your feet to prevent blisters, under your bra band so you don’t chafe, and on your thighs for long days of walking around new cities in a skirt or dress.
Do you have any travel tips to share? Add them to the comments.
Bon voyage,
P.S. This piece contains some affiliate links. If you purchase an item using an affiliate link, I earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.
Also on my mind
Cognoscenti, my team at WBUR, is hosting an evening of readings, performances and conversation about motherhood in the 21st century with
, , and on May 10. If you’re not in Boston, don’t fret: virtual tickets are only $5.I shouldn’t be laughing, but it’s hard not to smile at the clever picket signs when writers go on strike.
This fascinating excerpt from Momfluenced explores the connection between QAnon, momfluencers, and whiteness. (Sara Petersen , the author, will be at the event I mention in #1.)
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