How I Pack: Tips for Effective Packing + My Travel Must-Haves
Hey guys! Welcome back to my blog. For today's post, I wanted to talk about packing. Like it or not packing is a big part of traveling no matter where you are headed. I personally like the packing process and have certainly done it enough times to know what works best for me. I hope you enjoy this post and don't forget to follow my blog so you don't miss a new post.
1. Decide what kind of bag you'll be bringing
This question can depend a lot on how you are traveling. If you are driving, you can get away with a larger bag or multiple smaller bags if you are traveling alone and have room in your vehicle. If you are traveling by car with others you may want to use a carry on size bag or large duffle bag to accomondate others traveling with you and allow for the best use of space. If you are traveling by plane, depending on what airline, you could use a carry on size bag or check in a larger bag. I typically fly Southwest whenever I can so I do not have to pay for my checked bag. However, sometimes if I fly Delta or American, I pay for a checked bag because I usually need larger than a carry-on if I am going away for a long time. If you are flying an airline that does not have free checked bags like Southwest and don't want to pay then I suggest a carry on. Just figure out what works best for you and your traveling situation.
2. Plan your outfits
No matter how long your stay or where you are going, I always suggest planning your outfits in order to save some space in your suitcase. Before I start packing I make sure all the clothes I might possibly want to pack are clean. Then I go through my clothes and pick out outfits. I try to use different pieces for at least 2 outfits so I get good use out of them. For example, if I bring a pair of jeans, I might wear them twice so I am not bringing multiple pairs of jeans only to wear them each once. Another tip is to bring a jacket or cardigan that goes with a lot of outfits so your suitcase is less bulky. Also I try to do a lot of layering in case of any weather changes. Next, I will lay each outfit on my bed and then figure out the order of each outfit. Then I pack those outfits in reverse order so whatever outfit I am wearing last goes in first and then the first outfit is on top that way I don't have to think about my outfits each day on my trip.
3. Prepare your tioletry bag
For me, this is the hardest part of packing and often where I overpack or forget something. My best tip for packing tioletries is to go through your daily routine and pack as you go. For example, I get up in the morning and clean my retainer. After I do that, I put it in the case and into my tioletry bag. And as I get ready I do the same thing until I have gone through both my morning and night routine. I will add in anything I may need on the trip that is not in my daily routine such as sunscreen or a curling wand. Also I typically keep any travel size tioletries in my travel bag at all times so I do not forget to pack them. I always check to be sure they are full and if so I refill any empty bottles.
4. Pack a personal bag
Now, this may not apply to someone going on a car trip but for me, I like to have a personal bag no matter how I travel. I typically will use my backpack or a large tote bag as my personal bag. In that bag I will pack anything I need while in route such as headphones, snacks, keys, phone, a phone charger, a portable charger, my wallet, and other personal items. If you are flying I suggest bringing a pack of anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitizer. Some other personal bag essentials for me are gum, a mini hairbrush, travel size dry shampoo, hairties, chapstick, travel size deoderant. Also, something you may not think to bring but will be very handy if you need to use it: underwear, toothbrush and travel size toothpaste. If your bag were to get lost or stolen you can rest easy knowing you can brush your teeth and have a clean pair of underwear. This happened to me on a family trip to Mexico where our luggage was lost for a few days and I had to borrow from family until our bags arrived.
7. Plan a travel day outfit
When I travel, I like to be comforable but I also have to keep in mind what I may be doing after I arrive. If you arrive in the middle of the day, you may have some activities planned where you want to look a bit nicer. I usually go for leggings or a nicer pair of joggers with a loose fitting t-shirt or sweater and some cute sneakers. I'll also add a jean jacket or cardigan to make the outfit look a bit nicer. If you headed to somewhere warmer, I would go for a pair of soft shorts and t-shirt with some sneakers or ripped jeans with a cute t-shirt or tank top. Here are some travel outfit inspo pics that I found.
1. Decide what kind of bag you'll be bringing
This question can depend a lot on how you are traveling. If you are driving, you can get away with a larger bag or multiple smaller bags if you are traveling alone and have room in your vehicle. If you are traveling by car with others you may want to use a carry on size bag or large duffle bag to accomondate others traveling with you and allow for the best use of space. If you are traveling by plane, depending on what airline, you could use a carry on size bag or check in a larger bag. I typically fly Southwest whenever I can so I do not have to pay for my checked bag. However, sometimes if I fly Delta or American, I pay for a checked bag because I usually need larger than a carry-on if I am going away for a long time. If you are flying an airline that does not have free checked bags like Southwest and don't want to pay then I suggest a carry on. Just figure out what works best for you and your traveling situation.
2. Plan your outfits
No matter how long your stay or where you are going, I always suggest planning your outfits in order to save some space in your suitcase. Before I start packing I make sure all the clothes I might possibly want to pack are clean. Then I go through my clothes and pick out outfits. I try to use different pieces for at least 2 outfits so I get good use out of them. For example, if I bring a pair of jeans, I might wear them twice so I am not bringing multiple pairs of jeans only to wear them each once. Another tip is to bring a jacket or cardigan that goes with a lot of outfits so your suitcase is less bulky. Also I try to do a lot of layering in case of any weather changes. Next, I will lay each outfit on my bed and then figure out the order of each outfit. Then I pack those outfits in reverse order so whatever outfit I am wearing last goes in first and then the first outfit is on top that way I don't have to think about my outfits each day on my trip.
3. Prepare your tioletry bag
For me, this is the hardest part of packing and often where I overpack or forget something. My best tip for packing tioletries is to go through your daily routine and pack as you go. For example, I get up in the morning and clean my retainer. After I do that, I put it in the case and into my tioletry bag. And as I get ready I do the same thing until I have gone through both my morning and night routine. I will add in anything I may need on the trip that is not in my daily routine such as sunscreen or a curling wand. Also I typically keep any travel size tioletries in my travel bag at all times so I do not forget to pack them. I always check to be sure they are full and if so I refill any empty bottles.
4. Pack a personal bag
Now, this may not apply to someone going on a car trip but for me, I like to have a personal bag no matter how I travel. I typically will use my backpack or a large tote bag as my personal bag. In that bag I will pack anything I need while in route such as headphones, snacks, keys, phone, a phone charger, a portable charger, my wallet, and other personal items. If you are flying I suggest bringing a pack of anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitizer. Some other personal bag essentials for me are gum, a mini hairbrush, travel size dry shampoo, hairties, chapstick, travel size deoderant. Also, something you may not think to bring but will be very handy if you need to use it: underwear, toothbrush and travel size toothpaste. If your bag were to get lost or stolen you can rest easy knowing you can brush your teeth and have a clean pair of underwear. This happened to me on a family trip to Mexico where our luggage was lost for a few days and I had to borrow from family until our bags arrived.
7. Plan a travel day outfit
When I travel, I like to be comforable but I also have to keep in mind what I may be doing after I arrive. If you arrive in the middle of the day, you may have some activities planned where you want to look a bit nicer. I usually go for leggings or a nicer pair of joggers with a loose fitting t-shirt or sweater and some cute sneakers. I'll also add a jean jacket or cardigan to make the outfit look a bit nicer. If you headed to somewhere warmer, I would go for a pair of soft shorts and t-shirt with some sneakers or ripped jeans with a cute t-shirt or tank top. Here are some travel outfit inspo pics that I found.
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