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Packing...what do you do?

Susie

Veteran

Next week I am going to FL for a short visit with my mom and sister. I will get in on Thursday evening and come home on Monday evening. We are staying at a friend's house. I expect that there will be one beach day, one day of shopping/seeing the area, and one day visiting with friends. There will probably be some pool time everyday. We are celebrating my sister's birthday so we will probably go out for dinner at least 1 night.

So...would you pre-plan outfits for each day and pack those items? Or would you determine that you would need X number of tops and X number of bottoms and take things that pretty much all work together?

And of course there is also a need for bathing suits/cover ups, jammies, undies, etc. I have a connecting flight so I am definitely sticking with carry on.

I like reading packing posts and I have seen recommendations like take a tunic that works as a beach cover up and also works for an evening out. I don't know about you, but I get hot and sweaty- and covered in sunscreen on the beach or at the pool. I can't imagine feeling very fresh in that same tunic once I wore it to the beach!

General

30 replies

Latest reply was from rizamei

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm with you... I wouldn't be using my cover up for anything other than a cover up - well, maybe as a housecoat if needed.

I just did a similar length trip. I pre-planned the outfits, and based it around 2 pairs of shoes. Then made sure things worked together, if need be. Made sure the colours were in sync, pant lengths ok, etc. And when I packed, I had a ton of extra room (even bought a pair of winter boots while away and brought them back, COMPLETE WITH BOX!) so I wasn't in any kind of space trouble. You'll probably be better off because your weather will be warmer.

deb

Veteran

I take tops and bottoms that can all work together. My closet is organized that way so it is easier for me. Also, I change my mind a lot so I like the flexibility. The shoes I take can go with all outfits.

Susie

Veteran

Deb, how many of each would you take for a 4 day trip?

Elizabeth, I almost always have more coming back from a trip than going!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

since you know the exact activities, I'd go with outfits by activity, with an eye to remixing if possible. You will likely wear 2 outfits each day - one for the daytime heat and change at night. Not sure which part of FL you're heading to but summer is coming quickly! It's going to be 90 on Sunday.

Diana

Veteran

I try to make a little capsule that can mix and match. I don't like preplanning outfits so at least this way I have a little choice in the morning. For special events (like a wedding or serious hiking or something like that) I do pack an entire outfit for the event. I think your beach day might count as a special event, with specialized clothing that doesn't need to fit into the capsule.

Also in general I bring at least 2 comfortable pairs of shoes, a new top for each day (I do rewear tops but I prefer the option not to in case I get sweaty or whatever), and at least (days/2) number of bottoms. One coat and one bag only (excepting things for special events of course).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It depends on the type of trip and the weather and activities. I travel at least twice a month (sometimes more) so I'm an expert!

But no one system works for me.

Typically, though, I take a kind of "capsule" wardrobe -- with capsules planned by activity.

So for your trip -- you would need a swim capsule. A hanging out with your sister and touring around capsule. And a going-out capsule. All for warm weather. Plus sleepwear and maybe loungewear if you do that.

And now, I must get packing for my OWN trip -- a month in the mountains with some presentations and city visits!

Catnip

Veteran

First I decide which suitcase to take, and then pack to fit it. I always try to take the bare minimum since I hate dealing with luggage. Right now I'm planning a three-day trip to the country and have selected a carry-on suitcase with wheels. Here's my list, including what I'll wear to travel.

Robe, gown and slippers (I'm staying at someone's home with both men and women present)

2 pairs shoes

2 pairs jeans

4 tops (I'll select them closer to the date to fit the weather forecast. They will all go with both jeans.)

Rain jacket and umbrella

Misc. underwear

Toiletries and hairdryer

Hostess gift

A few books to read while traveling

And that's it.

Joy

Veteran

I'd do 1 pair light weight long pants ( like track pants), one pair long sort of dressy shorts (like city shorts or silky capris), about 4 light weight tops from sleeveless to something with sleeves that can be layered, go with both bottoms and possibly the swim suit; a swim suit or 2 and coverup that will work with both; possibly one packable dress or skirt, light weight rain trench dressy enough for the dress, a second pair of shorts and a tee you can sleep or lounge in, and 2-3 pairs sandals/ shoes.

carter

Veteran

I'm packing today for my daughter's graduation in California (4 days). We have two dressy events (the graduation and dinner with the boyfriend), and the rest will be casual. I'm taking 2 dresses, which unfortunately require two different shoes. The rest of the time will be casual, so I'm taking a pair of blue jeans, a pair of black jeans and 4 tops that work with both. One pair of casual sandals. One jacket or cardi for cool mornings/evenings. That's the plan. We'll see if I stick to it!

Emily

Veteran

I pre-plan outfits for each day and activity and pack those items. Easy peasy. Beach days and nice dinners out count as separate activities from casual sightseeing so I plan separate outfits for those and pack accordingly. I wouldn't wear a tunic to the beach one day and out to dinner the next (like you said, sunscreen etc) but I might do the reverse and wear a nice blouse out to dinner and then later in the trip as part of a casual outfit for sightseeing.

deb

Veteran

I leave tomorrow for Washington DC for 10 days. I packed

4 - pants
7 - tops
2 - cardigans (these can be buttoned up and used as a top)
1 - blazer
1 - Spiegel lemming leather jacket (am throwing this in because it looks to be on the cooler side.
3 - shoes
1 - hat
1 - raincoat folded in it's pouch
underwear, socks, camisoles, PJ's

rachylou

Veteran

My blood has been thinned by too much time in hot places. I'd be ok with wearing the same thing all day. Then again, I can't really spend that much time in full sun. I cook alive.

I found this this morning on River Island that kinda caught my eye:

http://us.riverisland.com/wome.....ono-654568

deb

Veteran

Rachy, the kimono is rayon so should be perfect. Nice and breathable.

Anonymous

Shoes, it all depends on the shoes for me. I can't stand bringing multiple pairs of shoes on a trip. Especially if they overlap, ie. two pairs of sandals, two pairs of dressy shoes, etc. So I first select the shoes I want to take. I then start to look at capsules for each event based on a pretty limited color palette. Remix things a bit or add extra pieces to ensure that I have some flexibility to account for unexpected events. Of course, I am never completely happy with what I take. I tend to have 'I don't need all this' mindset when I pack and then regret not bringing more when I am actually at my destination.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I am bad at packing - I will just shove in random things and am confused why nothing works when I get there! HAHA.

Over the years, I've learned that for important occasions I need to pack a particular outfit. The rest of the things can be mix and match, but I rarely mix and match in my real life - there's a few tops I know that go with Everything, so I bring those along. I choose a statement piece for each outfit, as well, to have something nice to look at and keep a bit of "me" too!

Last conference, (4 days), I ended up bringing...

Leather jacket
Three cardigans
Five dresses - one formal, one for dinner out, one for presentation, one to attend conferences, and one for driving
Jeans
Two t-shirts - I usually sleep in one
Boots
Flats
Flipflops - I don't walk around bare feet in other people's places. Eww.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

If you have denim BF shorts, those would be great to do double duty as a swimsuit cover up and then casual daytime sightseeing/shopping. Depending on the dress, it could be worn to the evening out first, and then over a suit around the pool the next day, when you won't mind if you sweat in it a little because it's already done it's duty at dinner. Just some ideas . . .

Susie

Veteran

Am I weird or does anyone else love to read this stuff? I'm really not bad at packing now. So I didn't post as much for advice as much as just because I enjoy reading how others approach packing!

I used to be a real "overpack Patti" (Patti is my sister from whom the name comes and I bet she will be overpacked this trip too!). I didn't plan much in advance and would end up bringing a bunch of stuff 'just in case' and go home with half a dozen or more pieces unworn.

Generally, I do pretty much plan out outfits. For this trip, most of the days' activities will require approximately the same level of dressiness. Even dinner out probably won't be anything particularly fancy.

If I were going for several weeks I would obviously have to rewear things. But I really don't like to count on wearing tops more than once if I don't have to. So I will probably take 4 bottoms and 6 tops. If I travel in jeans, I will wear the same ones home. I won't take more than 1 pair of pants or jeans because as Mo mentioned it will probably be plenty warm. I like to have a bit of variety for pool/beach so I will pack 2-3 bathing suits and cover ups.

It's probably not surprising that I will take more than 1 pair of shoes
Probably 2-3, plus flip flops.

My husband's birthday is the day before I leave and I will want to take him out for dinner. So I'm going to play in my closet this weekend and pull things together rather than waiting until that last evening.

I already have lists of cosmetics and miscellaneous stuff that I keep in Evernote. Weird, right?

carter

Veteran

I love packing posts as well. In another week or two everyone will have to help me pack for two weeks in Europe. Last time I hated everything I took and didn't have what I needed. Determined to do it better this time!

Carole

Veteran

I love packing threads....for a short trip or long weekend, I would plan out each day and pack accordingly. I would consider wearing the tunic/coverup first as a top for an outfit and use it later as a coverup, but not the other way around. Have fun!

Aida

Veteran

What Mo said, start with the activities and plan from there. I'd plan all the activities outfits first, and if they're primarily active I wouldn't count on much if any reuse. From there I'd plan a capsule for the trip, coming up with what I think I'll wear for each day and then making sure there are extra combinations within the capsule as well. These often revolve around footwear, comfy feet are a must! I write them all down and put it in my phone for quick reference. And then I will usually bring an extra top or two as backup options, especially to combat unexpected weather issues or other events that may pop up.

Aubergine

Veteran

I'm a really disorganized packer. I can somehow overpack and still feel like I'm scrambling for clothes once I'm there. But I've figured out a few tips to make it a little less overwhelming:

I try to figure out what shoes and bag I'm going to take first, then go from there. I don't really worry about having everything be in a super-cohesive color scheme or having lots of mix-and-match possibilities, but it's easier for me to pick only things that go with whatever shoes or bag rather than having everything to choose from. Plus, this makes me less tempted to shove in a third or fourth pair of shoes just in case.
I hate checklists, but I'll kind of write a list of things I might want to take off the top of my head as a draft email to myself, then keep adding to it and changing it over the next day or two. For some reason, this is casual enough that it doesn't feel like planning or work. Also, I'm somehow more focused when I'm forced to remember what I own that might work, rather than just staring into my closet.
Like other people, I also try and figure out a specific outfit for any activity that needs special clothes, or something like a really nice dinner or a wedding. Other than that, I just keep adding "everyday" things until I have maybe one or two more changes of clothes than I think I'll need.
I keep a cosmetic bag that's always packed with travel sizes of most things I might need (except for things like foundation that don't really come that way). Yeah, this means that sometimes I'll be traveling with a big, bulky cosmetic bag when I'm just going somewhere casual for a long weekend, but it seems easier than having to gather everything from scratch every time.
Knit dresses! Really comfortable, fewer separate pieces to coordinate, and, if I don't really know what I'm going to be doing on a trip or how dressy it might be, I feel like the same knit dress with different shoes and accessories can cover everything from vegging around wherever I'm staying to going to a nice restaurant.

anne

Veteran

I love packing posts too, though I'm not great at actually doing it in practice. Often I have been so busy packing for my kids that I just do mine in the last few minutes and just toss in frequently worn items. Lyn I can relate!

Packing items that don't need ironing cuts down on choices somewhat!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

For a short visit like you're planning, I wouldn't bother explicitly trying to make things mix and match; I would figure out outfits for each day/activity and then double check that I wouldn't need to bring too many pairs of shoes. That, in effect, can turn things into more of a capsule because you're picking things that go with the same pair or two of shoes, but it's not my first priority with short trips. With longer trips where I'm going to need to wear items more than once and/or do laundry, I'd approach it as more of a mix and match capsule concept.

Adelfa

Veteran

I like reading about packing too:-)

As we speak I am also packing for a Thursday through Monday trip to see family. Mine is different because the weather will be quite cool. Cold. I always plan outfits because it seems like if I don't, something goes wrong. The reality is that all my stuff is so simple and neutral, I can switch things around later easily. But it works better for me to plan day by day.

I am bringing:

5 tees (Breton, 2 gray, black, and navy)
2 jeans (blue denim and burgundy)
2 wool or cashmere pullovers (one royal blue, one gray-based graphic)
1 black leather moto
1 graphic wool scarf (cream and black)
leather Cons (dark gray)
black ballet flats (it will probably be too cold to wear these but I'm bringing them anyway)
short black puffer jacket

I have packed everything I'm not wearing on the plane into a carry-on rollie and there is plenty of room left for toiletries and my blow dryer.

And I too keep a permanent list of toiletries and incidentals, in an Excel spreadsheet! Great minds

AJ

Veteran

Since this is a short trip, I would plan the outfits based on the activity. You are really only visiting for 3 days plus 2 traveling days. I would wear the same outfit on the traveling days. Hand wash the top on the first night and it'll be ready to go on departure day.

I like to start with shoes first, since my feet need to be happy when I travel. A pair of flip flops or Teva type sandals for the beach/pool, something dressy for the dinners, and a walking sandal for the travel/shopping/visiting days.

I'm an emotional dresser, so at home I pick out my outfit when I need it. However, I don't have that luxury when I travel, so I compensate for that by packing plenty of accessories. When the weather is warm, I don't like to wear necklaces, so I'll pack plenty of statement earrings and lightweight scarves. One of my big scarves also acts as a pareo. I'll also add a couple of fun clutches in addition to my neutral shoulder bag. A couple of belts (metallic and a print), a lightweight vest, a light jacket/blazer, and an umbrella with a fun print to act as both a sun parasol and umbrella. Oh, also a foldable hand-held fan to combat the heat!

Have a great trip!

crutcher

Veteran

I love packing posts perhaps for the organization?.....Seeing how people figure what of their stuff goes on a trip is also interesting...

catgirl

Veteran

I just got back from Florida. I packed a minimal amount and barely wore most of it. Spent all my time in a bathing suit or shorts and tee. I would pack so everything can be mixed up equally using my formula of:

# of tops x # of bottoms = # of outfits

Louise

Veteran

I generally take an outfit per day plus one extra. If I know specific activities then I'd take outfits for the activity.
I just got back from 4 days at my cousins and I had an outfit per day plus 1 extra, 1 casual coat, 1 pair of ankle boots and one pair of trainers to travel in. 1 watch, 1 scarf, pair of earrings and watch. I wish I'd got changed when I arrived, I drove up and it's 2 1/2 hours and for some reason I always arrive sweaty, I took her son to his taekwondo lesson on the evening and sat and watched and nattered to one of her friends but felt self conscious as I was still in the clothes I'd travelled in. I needed extra accessories as the scarf and watch didn't quite go with a couple of the outfits. I also wish I'd had a dressier outfit as we talked about eating out one night and if we had of done I'd have felt underdressed. I also needed my denim jacket.
You'd think I'd have learnt by now as I do this trip several times a year. I also lug up full sized bottles of toiletries, doesn't really matter as it's a road trip and there's only me in the car but it would all fit in a smaller bag rather than a giant tote!! X

Lisa

Veteran

I pack outfits for activities. And all outfits are preplanned. I also make sure that I choose only one core color (usually black, brown, navy or grey) this way I only have to pack one color of shoe. Looking at your trip I would have: airplane, beach, shopping, visit a friend, pool time. I am picky about travel and I always pack a change of outfit for travel day (ie if I travel on the plane in jeans, I may keep the jeans but change the top after room check in, to feel fresh after a plane flight. I am very prone to doing this on flights of 6 hours or more).

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