Pathetic at packing... - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Pathetic at packing...

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Why am I so pathetic at packing lightly? Despite my obsession with travel capsules, I just can’t seem to do it. I always want to take way way too much.

I stare at my closet and don’t like anything in it. I enjoy most of my clothes when I’m getting dressed for work here, but for some reason really struggle with outfits that I feel are “me”, that will travel well, fit the events, etc when going away. And without taking 5 pairs of footwear

Hmm, I think I just realized one of my issues. At home, I confess I do spend most of my time in hang around loungy clothes. I don’t dress for casual situations very much, and that is what I need to do here. So maybe I need to spend more time developing a better casual stylish wardrobe, now that my work one is in decent shape.

This is so silly, but if anyone wants to play with me, feel free. I’m heading off to Ottawa for a weekend in a few weeks, for work. I’m bound and determined to do this in a carry on, which believe it or not, I’ve never done. This is what I’ll be doing:

Travel – drive to airport, flight.

On my own for a few hours Friday afternoon. Might easily go shopping J

Drinks/Dinner Friday night

Meetings most of day Saturday – business casual. Possible meet up with a friend mid afternoon, for a drink, or shopping.

Saturday night - reception followed by dinner. I think for this I’m going to wear my Joie sweater and pleather pants. Might be with same people as Friday night, so can’t wear same outfit.

Travel home.

I know you don’t know all my clothes, but how many pieces is reasonable for a trip like this? I’m always over packing because I take extra pants in case of spillage on the plane, choose pants that require different heel heights, then throw in a couple of extra things just because I like them….
When you have a big case and are taking it anyway, it’s not an issue. But this time I really want to take a cohesive capsule that I (and you guys) would be proud of putting together.

Sigh.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Elizabeth P

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am no help as I love taking lots of options and usually wear 2-3 outfits a day while on vacation, so just wishing you luck in this challenge...

Kim

Veteran

I could do this in two outfits, *if* they all co-ordinate and pant lengths were the same. I could even be *wearing* one outfit on the plane. I'd wear what I wore on the plane out for dinner and drinks Friday night and I'd wear the other outfit on Sunday to go home. I'd mix em up on Saturday to create another different outfit. I'd leave the pleather pants at home if I couldn't wear them on the plane one way or the other.

When was the last time you had "spillage" on the plane? (Me, never...) And we do have washing machines here in Ottawa...LOL

So, two tops, two sweaters, two pairs of shoes and two pants and I'd be good. (Accessories too of course. Two scarves or whatever of your choice.)

That would fit in a carry-on. Along with jammies/loungewear and possibly my workout wear (but not likely for just a weekend.)

It's possible if well thought out. I did 10 days in the UK with a carry on last year and I'm SOLD on the concept now. I didn't even wear everything I brought in the carry-on! LOL (And as a Canadian I have the 22 lb weight restriction to consider which they don't in the U.S. They can have 45 lbs in the same space.)

abc

Veteran

When I travel for work I try to take the least amount of stuff possible. I try to choose pants that all go with the same shoes (esp in your case on a short trip, I usually have 4-5 days).

There are some packing threads on the forum, look for those for some "best practices" and hints and tips.

I usually wear my bulkiest shoes on the plane with comfy casual wear - lots of times I wear a VC tube skirt, bright tshirt and denim jacket, it is a travel formula that works for me. Super comfy yet looks really put together (I personally like to travel looking polished, no PJs or yoga wear for me outside of the house).

Especially when traveling for work I try to make sure whatever I wear during the day will also work for my after-hours activities, that way I don't have to bring extra outfits.

Can you wear a variation of the same formula for travel days? For example, I would rewear my topper (denim jacket) and shoes.

Be mindful about every single piece you are planning to take, down to the shoes and accessories, and if you are unsure TRY IT ALL ON beforehand so you don't end up packing the "just in case" items. You KNOW what you need/want and ONLY THAT goes in the suitcase.

Good luck, it's nice that you accepted this challenge to yourself.

carter

Veteran

Well, I'm not a carry-on girl either, but I could probably swing it for a 3 day trip.

I tend not to wear my travel clothes on a trip, except for the traveling pieces. Once I've been stuck on an airplane for a bit, I start to feel grody in them.

Travel outfit for me would be comfy pants, comfy top, cardi or jacket, shoes that are easy on/off for security. Plus whatever coat/wrap works for the whole weekend.

Another pair of dark-colored pants that work for both Friday night and Saturday business casual. They should also work with the shoes from the travel outfit.

One top for Friday night. One top for Saturday business casual that also works with the travel cardi/jacket if you like. Maybe take one spare if you drink red wine;-)

One dress and appropriate shoes for Saturday night. Evening clutch.

Back into the travel outfit for Sunday flight.

abc

Veteran

Oh, and if you are afraid of spills get some of those tide or shout wipe thingys

catgirl

Veteran

I am the opposite - I bring NOTHING but a carry on, even for a week or more. But I am usually on vacation in a warm place so need fewer things. My suggestion is to remember this formula:

Tops x bottoms = # of outfits

So 3 tops and 2 bottoms give you 6 outfits if they all go. That is my strategy and then you can accessorize. I also bring as few shoes as possible. For Shoptoberfest I had only a pair of Frye ankle boots that went with shorts, skirts and pants.

Just my thoughts!

rachylou

Veteran

My calculations come out the same as Una's - not counting the special occasion outfit. Although, I'd only bring two tops. Actually, I'd be wearing one bottoms/top and packing only one bottoms/top + special outfit.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Thanks ladies!! I will take this all into consideration. I think the key is to start small, like Una mentioned. I tend to think "I wan t his outfit, and this outfit" and don't spend enough time on the mixing and matching.

And I'm with you Carter, on the travel clothes. I find with any rushing in the airport, and sitting on a plane, even if I survive spill-less (I did get coffee dumped on my lap once at the beginning of a 6 hr flight - NOT FUN), I feel sweaty and gross when I arrive. Grody is a great word. But maybe that's because I've been lugging a suitcase :). Anyway, the travel clothes come off. I don't mind wearing them for the trip home, but don't want to have to wear them once I arrive.

Much appreciate the time to not only read, but actually think about my little issue!

Mia

Veteran

I always have to fight the "just in case" additions. Sometimes those get worn most! I know this is no help but I empathize as I struggle with the packing too. I take comfort reading posts to know I am not the only one who spends a lot of time on it and still has hits and misses.

Anonymous

I am becoming really good at packing light (just did 12 day trip business/hiking/sight-seeing Taipei-Hong Kong in carry on, with 20 + hours of flights both ways).

Agree with comfortable travel outfit (knit shirt, pants/jeans, sweater/scarf)- wear same outfit home (bring clean shirt but same pants + sweater).
Friday night: black pants + top + accessories, Saturday same pants + different top + accessories, Saturday PM kick it up a notch (different black pants with nice top/blazer/jacket or dress).

3 pairs of shoes: extra comfy for plane (I do sneakers so I can power walk in them later) and any sight-seeing, one pair dressy flats, one pair low heels. Flats and heels work with pants and dress.

I always bring a pair of skinny jeans for comfort (often wear on plane).

Forget the workout wear- get out and see the city (my husband and I did 3 days of 30,000+ FitBit steps on our trip!)

One pair lounge pants works for around hotel or early morning power walk.

On longer trips things really do wash well in sink, but for this trip remember: nothing is really dirty until you get back home (I will sometimes wear my travel shirt for instance again for power walking with lounge pants).

Last trip being in carry on saved our trip: due to weather we had 3 flight changes on a very tight schedule (significant changes such that we flew to Narita then Hong Kong instead of Chicago then Hong Kong)- if we'd checked luggage we could not have done this.

In sum:
shirt for trip home
black pants
lounge pants
(extra TShirt for walking/sleeping)
dressy top x 2
dress/outfit for saturday night
flats and heels
plus whatever you wear on plane.

Anonymous

I think Pam has you sorted. I can do indefinite time with a carry on. I usually take three bottoms and 5-6 tops of different weights to layer, but usually don't wear them all. Black year round weight wool trousers, dark wash jeans and a black skirt are the usual, wearing the jeans on the plane. Tops go from at least one sleeveless tank to a pullover black cashmere sweater. You would need some dressy tops for your events.
My topper is usually a black trench. In fact I travel with lots of black because it doesn't show stains or wrinkles much and can often be dressed up. I carry it onto the plane and it can be handy if the plane is cold.
You can do this but it does mean trying everything on with everything else.

SandyG

Veteran

These packing and travel posts become my homework. This year I resolve to buy lighter weight shoes -- I take five pair for terribly fussy feet and it makes carry on a huge challenge. So much to learn!!

Susie

Veteran

Ok, here is what I would probably take:

Travel- jeans, layering top, topper. Would probably wear this for the afternoon shopping/on your own time.
Travel home- same jeans, 2nd layering top, same or different topper

So, two outfits for two days that require only packing 1 top or 1 top and topper if you really don't want to re-wear the first one.

Semi dressy outfit for Friday night- likely to be black pants and top, nice shoes and clutch.

Saturday- pants and top that would be appropriate for your work meeting but also be good for time with friend.

Saturday night- same black dressy- ish pants as Friday night with a different top.

I always like to have some kind of lounge pants and appropriate top plus a pair of flip flops to wear at the hotel, plus sleepwear.

I'm pretty sure I could pack all of the above in a carry on.

Freckles

Veteran

Just a note, out in the suburbs the winds have been very, very cold here. Not sure what it's like downtown...

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

For longer trips I do the mix and match thing, but for a short trip like this I'd just pick out an outfit for each day / function. Might be able to repeat the bottoms for the plane both ways as Susie suggested, with a different top/topper. An outfit for each dinner and then one for Saturday, and you're sorted in a carry on.

One way to prioritize when packing that has worked for me is to start with the shoes. For a three day trip I'd probably go for two pairs - one more comfy for the plane and maybe daytime, and a dressier pair. Then find outfits that will work with those shoes, which at least for me will narrow things down as far as color and formality level. You might be able to limit yourself to one pair of shoes if the formality level doesn't have to vary that much.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Got sidelined yesterday by a day of training then date night, so had NO internet time. But did want to make sure I thanked all that chimed in here. I'm bound and determined to do this!!!

Last year when I went I had a great capusle figured out, then a couple of days before the weather totally changed to snow, ice and rain. And I do need to walk outside to my meetings, so the bootie based outfits were out! I did a quick changeroo and based my outfits all on snow boots and a waterproof somewhat warm coat. So I have to keep that kind of thing in mind too!