YouLookFab Forum » Topic: traveling

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: traveling https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 13:31:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php shiny on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688315 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 23:22:34 +0000 shiny 1688315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ As others have already mentioned, I'm a big fan of Eagle Creek packing cubes. I use one of the zippered pouches for my toiletries. It's soft-sided and the pouch will efficiently fill in the nooks and crannies of the bottom of the bag. I have a set of travel sized containers for toiletries that I refill as needed. I double bag everything in case of leaks, or if TSA pre-check lane isn't open and I need to pull these out. I.e., I put the liquids in a clear ziplock bag, then in the Eagle creek pouch. I count out vitamins & medicines and put them into a daily pill box. I duplicated make up and comb and brush and other items, so my toiletry bag is always packed and ready to go. The brush I bring is bulky -- I put it together with my flat iron and wrap a Turbie Towel around it to protect both, then put it into an Eagle Creek sleeve.  I have a set of silk pajamas & robe specifically for traveling, because silk takes up very little room in my luggage and is just right for hot OR cold weather. Silk camisole and leggings are very useful for layering for warmth. And silk washes and dries quickly. What's more, I pack my jewelry in the same travel pouch with the silk items to protect the jewelry.  For longer trips, I bring synthetic underwear which can be washed out in the sink and dried over night. I start my packing strategy with shoes, aiming for no more than 3 pairs, one on my feet and two in the bag. Exception is that I can easily fit an extra pair of thong sandals into the bag since they don't take up much room. I have found that black shoes tend to work best and provide the most versatility, but sometimes I can manage a travel capsule that revolves around more interesting shoes, like on my last couple of trips, I planned around a pair of turquoise suede loafers.  I never take more than 1 pair of jeans, because jeans are bulky. (And no, I do not like to wear them on the plane). I usually bring a pair of black pants as well, and one more pair of pants OR a dress. (Although there have been some trips where all I packed were dresses). Then I choose tops and accessories. I do find a neutral black, white & 3rd color palette goes far. I always bring at least one extra top just in case. I usually bring at least two scarves, one that I wear on the plane and one packed in the bag. I usually have room for 2-3 toppers. I wear the bulkiest one on the plane, put one in the luggage, and one in my laptop bag.  I always bring a reuseable shopping bag that rolls up small (works as a beach tote), and I like simple flat clutches because they pack well.  I lay things out virtually on a powerpoint first, and to keep a record for future trips. I then lay things out on the bed before packing to ensure I have everything I need (including the right bra & underwear for an outfit), and will often do a try-on before packing it all. Items get packed in a specific order: 1) Belts line the interior of the bag  2) The two shoe bags and flatiron/hairbrush go on the bottom between the handles 3) Toiletry bag next, filling in the nooks and crannies On the next layer:  4) Small pouch with silk items & jewelry next 5) Small compressible pouch with underwear 6) Medium compressible pouch with rolled tees and knits 7) Eagle creek folder goes on top of it all; I fold items like this -- blouses / tops on bottom, then a topper, then pants, then jeans, and finally, a scarf Then I have a laptop bag that fits over the handles. In it, I pack another topper and scarf (in it's own pouch to keep it clean), laptop, electronic chargers and headphones (I have an extra set that is kept packed), book to read, and a small handbag / extra clutch. I can get a lot in this one bag, so if needed, I can fit another eagle creek pouch that has swimsuit, cover up, hat for the beach. I can pack quite a bit in my carry-on plus the laptop bag. I've not checked a bag in a long time. Barbara Diane on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688299 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 22:27:20 +0000 Barbara Diane 1688299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Also, you can search YLF for lots of posts on this subject. Barbara Diane on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688297 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 22:26:10 +0000 Barbara Diane 1688297@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ It helps to pack ahead and sleep on it. I almost always change something at the last moment. Layers! And one outfit that can work, with either more or less layers, if the weather takes a complete turn. My friend cut off her pants because it was 90+ in Alaska and she packed for cold weather.  Barbara Diane on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688295 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 22:22:40 +0000 Barbara Diane 1688295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Scarves are great for completely changing your look, and they take up no space in summer, a tiny bit in winter. If I need a specific bra for a specific outfit, I put them together. That way I don't get the bra dirty before I wear the outfit.  If I've taken a checked bag or am traveling by car, and certain clothes are for certain events, I put the items in order by wear date, so what I need next is on top. I don't  like to unpack, as I can never remember what drawer I've put things in. But, also, I haven't gone on a vacation where I've stayed in one place for more than two days in a long time. Except at family or friends' homes, where there is no space to unpack into. As I am hard to fit, and luggage can be lost or drinks can be spilled on planes, I carry on a swimsuit if I am going on a beach vacation, and a change of clothes. And I'm going to start carrying on a big scarf that can be a blanket. I trained my kids to pack by looking at their body and packing what goes on each part. :) rachylou on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688245 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 19:00:01 +0000 rachylou 1688245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ ps: Love the idea of a laundry basket for a house rental. Also: the list of what I take camping is ridiculous. My preference tho is for undeveloped campsites. I try to make up for it, tho, with sleek design everything. rachylou on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688243 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 18:54:44 +0000 rachylou 1688243@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really like a 'Turkish towel.' I use it as an airplane blanket, shawl, and...towel if I really need to. Something to sit on. Lilypup has her car seat, collapsible bowls, and a sleeping bag. She's not into toys, so that's all she needs for camping. I do have a cloth collapsible crate and a playpen. Never use the crate. Playpen comes out at Thanksgiving and Christmas when we go to my cousin's. Author Linda on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688216 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 17:41:27 +0000 Author Linda 1688216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I travel often. Cruises. Conventions. Family. I pack everything in a carry on no matter what the occasion. I have packing lists for cruises (warm or cool weather lists) and conventions. Family visits are more free form. Like others, I work with a palette of neutral bottoms and one or two colors for tops or shoes. On cruises I might take three pairs of shoes (wearing the athletic shoe because it's heavy and best for walking longer distances). Wear one pair of pants, bring two more. One dress to rule them all for when I want to dress up. I'm a big believer in travel accessories. I love packing cubes! They make my packing easy. Cases for chargers (no tangling, organized). Love hand washable tops. Always pack a few travel clothes hangers. Have a toiletries bag already stocked with bare essentials and in my carry on ; just toss in some makeup. Good to go! Maneera on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688215 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 17:39:17 +0000 Maneera 1688215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I pack much like LisaP. I create a list of days & activities. Then I start laying out each outfit on the bed. This prevents me from forgetting anything --- like a belt I may need for a particular jeans, or a particular bra needed for a sheer top. I also add any jewelry I may need for the outfit and keep adding that to a pouch. I always carry 2 sets of extra undergarments and also always carry 2 extra outfits --- for 'just in case' scenarios. I don't always need them, but sometimes a trip can get extended due to unforeseen circumstances or it may be rainy or I may spill food on a piece of garment etc. For toiletries, I use a set number of things everyday and have travel-size bottles, labeled, for all of them. They stay in my toiletry kit (stored in a bathroom closet). I open the kit, and start refilling the bottles. Simple. I don't have this master list but I think I should! I store most information pertaining to travel packing in my head. And I can confidently say I almost never forget to pack anything (though for some weird reason, I often forget to pack a toothbrush!) I'm not a light traveler. My husband is. His process is very different from mine because he owns a capsule wardrobe where everything works with everything. I often travel with two dogs. They have their own bags with their basic necessities --- dog food (they both eat different food currently, as one is a small breed puppy and the other is a large breed adult), toys, treats, bowls, extra leashes, towels for Incase they get wet and their medicines as well as food supplements. Like Style Fan, we travel in a packed SUV when we travel within the country! Jenn on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688209 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 17:19:16 +0000 Jenn 1688209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When my son was an infant, I was packing for a trip to California and despairing as I calculated the number of diapers one baby would go through in a week. (Hint: it is not a number that will easily fit in a carry-on bag.) My husband just looked at me and said, "Hon, they sell diapers in San Jose." It was like a lightbulb went off. We rarely travel anywhere that doesn't have stores, so I rarely stress out about packing anymore. For toiletries, I pack as I use them the night before or morning of the trip. Like others have mentioned, I plan outfits by activity, with a mix-and-match capsule. I'm a light packer, so I expect most items I pack to do double or triple duty. I'm also a huge fan of the packing cubes. And if I forget something, I know I can do without or hit a shop wherever we're headed. Camping is another matter. We usually car camp, but it's still far from civilization, so I'm obsessive about lists. Forgetting lamps or pots or fire-starters would be a nightmare! RobinF on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688198 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 16:50:20 +0000 RobinF 1688198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You guys are very organized! I'm not quite as much. I lay it all out on the bed, 2 or 3 tops for each bottom and try to make it mix and match with sweaters or warmer pieces and shoes. For toiletries I pack them as I use them the last evening and morning. I do have lists for items that I want to bring but don't regularly use. Next week I will be on vacation with extended family in a house we have rented and I intend to pack in a laundry basket. Even though it isn't very fancy, it is much easier to live out of a basket than a suitcase. Eliza on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688191 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 16:36:09 +0000 Eliza 1688191@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do plan, list and try it all on, as others have suggested. Must have comfortable shoes, packable raincoat and a versatile topper. I have become a huge fan of zippered packing cubes, especially on a multiple destination trip. I can roll my tops (not blouses), fitting many in one cube and group like things together. Easy to locate items and check for all bags when re-packing.. If bringing dressier items, I get a few fresh dry cleaning bags and loosely but neatly fold them around fussy items. Amazing wrinkle prevention. Fold pants in half and roll to keep neat. Happy travels! rachylou on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688189 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 16:33:45 +0000 rachylou 1688189@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Weather and activities determine what I bring. But for vacation travel, I pretty much know that I will live in: a skirt, fitted tee, and walking shoes. If I'm going to see family, I throw in formal dinner wear. If I'm flying, I try not to bring soaps and shampoos. I buy on the other side. texstyle on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1688118 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:44:19 +0000 texstyle 1688118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I also make a list - I try to keep the color palette limited too, makes it easier to mix/match if the weather changes. I always try to take 2 pair of shoes, sometimes 3 if I can manage to fit them in my carry on. I try to wear a jacket instead of packing it. If it's warm I can just hold onto it. I always switch to a large tote for travel so I can also include one "emergency" change of tee, undies and shorts in there - in case my bag has to be checked and ends up delayed or lost. Anonymous on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687969 Fri, 01 Jul 2016 02:29:11 +0000 Anonymous 1687969@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I travel as light as I can. It makes lots of things easier, including repacking to travel on to the next place and to return home, carrying luggage, and managing public transportation. Counting the travel outfit I start with shoes and take at least 3 pair, three bottoms, and tops of different weights and sleeve lengths that can be layered and depending on the season and temperatures and activities planned. I try to take pieces that can be washed, hung and dry overnight. Heaviest pieces, especially footwear, make up my travel outfit. Packing carefully in a carryon can work for 3 days or 3 months with the same pieces, although with lots of walking, the shoes will not last 3 months. crazyone on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687889 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:53:37 +0000 crazyone 1687889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like to travel light but I also like to be prepared, so I pack easily pack able, multipurpose garments, and wear my heaviest garments/shoes on the plane. I do take extra undies though Cococat on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687887 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:50:56 +0000 Cococat 1687887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm leaving for a 2 1/2 week overseas trip today. I always overpack so I have been spending time reading about how other people pack here on Ylf and elsewhere such as Pinterest. I decided to try a 12 piece travel capsule with 4 bottoms 3 jackets and 5 tops. It gave me about 16 different looks. In the end I added in a dress, 2 more tops and some gear because I may be bike riding. It's the most organised I've ever been. I like the idea of a master packing list. I need to do that next time. Mauvish on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687881 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:36:45 +0000 Mauvish 1687881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very timely question. I am making outfit lists and " needs" list for my three week vacation to my parent house with kiddo. Thank you for sharing your ideas LisaP. Brilliant idea of a electronic master list. DonnaF on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687868 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:17:57 +0000 DonnaF 1687868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Depends whether it is air travel or car travel.  With car travel I am less strict and am more apt to throw something in *just in case*.  When I am very strict and minimal, I tend not to want even to look at those clothes after I get home; I am just so sick of them! ClaraT on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687861 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:04:12 +0000 ClaraT 1687861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like LisaP, I have a master packing list of toiletries and basics (chargers/headphones/etc.) that I need no matter if I'm camping or going for business. Then I basically run through each day and pull out the necessary clothes. The only tricky bit is color coordination (like making sure a coat or sweater works for multiple outfits) and figuring out shoes (which are bulky so I like to minimize those). My tip: textured and patterned tops show spills the least. I do travel light, and the more I travel, the easier it gets.  The hardest for me in terms of packing light is when there are two or more very different parts to the trip e.g. camping for a week then traveling on to a place where I do not want to wear gear. Or going to a cold place for a week and then a warm place. But I love traveling so I love packing Best advice: Just put some clothes in a bag and go! Are you planning a trip right now? Eli on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687845 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:38:46 +0000 Eli 1687845@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div> <div> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/member/janet1955/" rel="nofollow"></a> </div> <div> </div></div><div> </div> <a href="http://youlookfab.com/member/janet1955/" rel="nofollow">Style Fan</a>, How do manage to travel with your dog?? I always wanted to do that! Style Fan on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687842 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:32:04 +0000 Style Fan 1687842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have a master list of toiletries, cosmetics, hair stuff, medications, etc. that I have in a plastic sleeve.  I like Lisa's idea of putting it on my computer and then printing it off each time I travel. I also have a list for Sophie's (dog) stuff.  She has her own bag.  We have been travelling for month long periods for the last few years.  I have been keeping a record of what I took and how that worked out for me.  I also write down what I wished I had.  Then when I go on my next trip I review my notes and refine my packing.  This also has been helping with my shopping. We do not travel light!  We have a roof top box and the back of our SUV is full.  Sophie is in the back seat. Eli on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687839 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:13:50 +0000 Eli 1687839@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks Lisap : D that is very helpful! I don't ever feel bad about over packing undies tho lol Anonymous on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687834 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 21:03:09 +0000 Anonymous 1687834@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I make a detailed list of what I will wear for each occasion of every day I'm away.  Flight, meetings, dinner/evening out. etc plus some hotel lounging things for every single day. I keep a master packing list of toiletries and hair stuff on my computer and just print it out every time I am packing for a trip.  It includes basics like power cords, phone chargers, umbrella, etc.  On the day I pack, I lay the outfit on the bed, then add in underwear , hosiery , shoes and jewellery for that outfit, and keep going until I'm done.  I find this helps eliminating dumb things like packing two pair of black booties or three pair of black leggings, or not enough underwear etc.   Eli on "traveling" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/traveling#post-1687832 Thu, 30 Jun 2016 20:57:41 +0000 Eli 1687832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ How do you decide what to wear when you travel? i end up over packing! How do you decided?