Credit: Freepik Premium
When you’re on vacay, you want to look and feel your best, though you also don’t want it to cost you breaking your back from lugging around a heavy suitcase or two—not to mention the extra baggage fees. Fortunately, “packing light” doesn’t have to equate to “packing boring clothing.” With just a few packing and wardrobe tips, you’ll still be able to strut your style wherever you go.
Tips to Pack Light Without Giving Up Style
Tip #1: Pack to mix & match
The best way to pack light and maximize your wardrobe options is to bring a few pieces that match and mix well. In other words, don’t think “outfit for the first day, outfit for the second day, outfit for the third day,” and so on. Instead, think about what two or three items would go with another two or three items, allowing you to have multiple outfits with just a few pieces of clothing.
A minimalist wardrobe for travel might look like the perfect pair of jeans, a fitted white tea, a chic pair of black slacks, a fitted tan jacket, a light blue cardigan, a cool denim skirt, a little black dress, and a tan button-down blouse. Throw in one to two pairs of versatile shoes, like a pair of black flats and comfy tan booties, and you have over 14 outfits with just eight pieces of clothing and one to two pairs of shoes.
Capitalize on the space you have by packing pieces you’ll wear a few times, though not with the same outfit! Also, think about quality over quantity—only pack what you love and what you would want to be photographed in.
Tip #2: Take versatile neutrals with a bit of color
Neutral colors blend well with just about any other color you might put on. Think white, tan, black, and denim. However, throw in a splash of color with a blouse, top, or accessories of some sort, like a headband or hat.
Tip #3: Choose lightweight fabrics that don’t wrinkle easily
The lighter your clothes, the lighter your suitcase, and the more items you can manage without going over the bag weight limit. And, of course, who wants to worry about wrinkles or ironing during vacation? Choose pieces that you can easily pack and unpack without wrinkles surfacing.
Tip #4: Pack several knockout accessories and bold statement pieces
Accessories can really add to an outfit. Pack a few pairs of earrings with a range of styles, as well as necklaces, bracelets, a couple of scarves, hair accessories, and a watch. Be sure to pack at least a couple of bold statement pieces to go with the wardrobe you’ve chosen.
In terms of purses, take at least one stylish, nice handbag. If you have room, go for two that are two different styles—maybe one’s a brown crossbody, and the other is a black short-shoulder bag.
When choosing shoes, you really only need two pairs—one pair of classy sandals and a pair of casual sneakers, for example. Or, depending on the time of year, you might take a pair of neutral-colored booties and a pair of sneakers. Choose shoes that can transition from day to night, as well.
Heels are rarely worn on vacation unless you have a special event, like a wedding, to attend. Leave them at home if you’re goal is to pack light and practical. And if you think you’ll be exercising regularly, you might choose to take a pair of tennis shoes with you, making it three pairs of shoes vs. two.
Tip #5: Purchase small, light luggage
You want the lightest luggage possible since the weight of your luggage counts towards the weight permitted to check for the plane. In terms of carry-ons, again, go with as light as possible. Duffle bags and backpacks can be good options for carry-ons and personal items since they’re light, fit a fair amount of stuff, and are easy to carry. The goal is to go with the smallest luggage option possible and fill it to the limit without taking anything that’s not absolutely necessary.
Tip #6: Roll your clothes
To get as many pieces of clothing into your suitcase as possible, roll your items instead of folding them. Rolling them helps keep them in place better and minimizes the risk of wrinkles forming. For items like socks and underwear, you can stuff them into sneakers, booties, and purses to save space. You can also buy packing cubes to help you organize and compress your clothing for more to fit.
Final Words on Packing Smart
As a rule of thumb, to pack light, travel expert Jaleh Michelle suggests packing:
- 10 to 15 pieces of clothing using a weekender bag for a week-long trip
- 15 to 20 pieces of clothing using a small duffel bag or roller bag for a two-week trip
- 20 to 25 pieces of clothing using a large backpack or large duffel for a month+ trip
Hopefully, these tips will help you pack smart to create a wardrobe you’ll enjoy wearing on your next vacation. Happy packing and strutting your stuff!