Tips for Traveling Light
Hey y’all! I know this may be considered an ill-timed post considering we can’t leave our homes, but one day, quarantine will be over. And when that day comes, you’ll be ready! Plus, if you're anything like me, you're all about having something to look forward to. Whether your next trip is 3 months from now, or a year, I hope these tips are able to help you.
I wasn’t a traveler until my 30s, and I had to learn pretty quickly how to be a smart traveler. Honestly, it’s not necessary to get from Point A to Point B, but you’ll learn pretty quickly that it’ll make life so much easier if you have some simple travel systems in place.
So. How to pack light and travel lighT! First off, I know that not every trip can be packed into a carry-on. Maybe you hate carrying on and prefer to check everything, regardless of the length of the trip. However, these tips still apply!
1. Be a list maker.
I haven’t always been one, but a little planning goes such a long way, and I learned this the hard way. All you need to do is grab a notepad or your phone and create a note with only two questions:
How many days are you gone?
What outfits are required?
2. Try on every outfit prior to packing.
Every outfit. Is this a lazy girls weekend, and you don’t plan on getting out of pajamas? Cool. Still try everything on.
Are you planning on wearing that same swimsuit you’ve packed a million times before? Cool. Still try it on.
Are you thinking to yourself “these are black pants, anything goes with them!” Cool. Still try them on as an outfit.
The reason trying outfits on is so important is because it helps you to avoid the whole “I might wear this” conversation we have with ourselves. What happens is we end up packing a bunch of shirts that we hate that don’t go with the black pants that we told ourselves “go with anything,” and we’ve dragged a 70 pound bag of clothes around the airport, paid an extra $75 for it being too heavy, and 10% of it was never worn. Guilty of this? Yup, me too! The best way to avoid it is to try your outfits on, in a mirror, before packing a thing. The ease of arriving at your destination knowing what you have and how it fits is a special kind of bliss. If you are having a hard time choosing between a few outfits for one event? Take those mirror photos and send them to friends for a vote. They won’t steer you wrong. Trust their opinion and go with it!
3. Have your basic airport attire that works for every trip, every time.
Set it out the night before, head to toe. Pants/leggings, top, jacket/layering piece, socks and shoes. The last thing I want to do on the morning of an early flight (or any airport day, honestly!) is to stumble around my room at 3 am looking for my favorite leggings or most comfortable tennis shoes. Set it all out the night before, and getting up and getting out the door will be a breeze.
My favorite travel wardrobe? Easy. Leggings, tee, denim jacket, tennis shoes.
It’s easy, works for most weather and airplane temps, and I have to be comfortable on travel days. At the same time, I look pulled together and not too disheveled.
4. Roll your clothing.
Roll! Roll, y’all! Don’t fold a dang thing. Roll. You can fit so much more into a carryon by rolling your pants, shirts, dresses, etc.
5. Pick neutral shoes that go with everything.
Shoes take up too much space, and I should know, I have too many. However, when traveling I try to stick with one pair of sandals, one pair of heels, and the tennis shoes I wear to the airport. If this is totally impossible for what outfits I have planned, no biggie, I’ll stick one more pair in there! But try to keep it to three pair if at all possible!
If you need a bootie (depending on time of year), I usually pack my old Dolce Vita booties similar to these.
6. Hoard and stock travel sizes of your favorite products.
My favorite hair care products have limited releases of travel sized products, so I can’t buy them whenever I want. Twice a year, they’re available, and I stock up. Big time. Shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, hair spray, blow out cream. Anything else I like to pack for hair care actually comes in TSA approved sizes (my favorite serum AND hair oil).
MY SKin care? Some of the products aren’t yet available in travel sizes, but many of my must-haves are! So, I pack what’s TSA approved and use whatever travel cleanser I have at home my bag. And don’t forget your sunscreen!
Makeup! I don’t have a “go bag” of makeup, so I pick and choose from my big bag to whittle it down to the bare minimum basics. Take a peek at my must-haves!
Pro tip? Throw all your makeup and skin care in gallon sized Ziploc bags before putting in your cosmetics bag. Nothing worse than something breaking open in transit and getting all over your cute bag! Best to keep it contained.
7. Be practical with luggage.
I used to think I could use my cute Gucci bag that didn’t zip or snap shut as my carry-on. Nope. For years I used a suitcase that didn’t roll easily. Like, why? Why did I do that to myself? Luggage is an investment, but it’s worth it— regardless of how much travel you do. My favorite travel lines are Beis and Calpak.
Must haves from Beis? The carry-on, dopp kit and the hanging cosmetic case.
My must have from Calpak is the duffle bag, I take it on every trip as my carry-on. It holds so much, has the easiest compartments for my quick grabs (phone charger, phone, passport/ID and credit card), and it’s actually super comfortable to carry, even when heavy. It does have an easy tab in the back to attach to rolling luggage, too!
A few more random miscellaneous travel tips?
TSA precheck is never not worth it. Get it, asap.
Do you travel internationally? Global entry. Do it. Trust me on this.
Carry with you at all times a small Ziploc bag of zinc (I use the Zycam tablets), Aleve-D (the only cold medicine worth your time), peppermint and lavender essential oils (if you’re into that kinda thing, which I am), hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, Rejuveniqe oil (hands/skin/face/lips dry out so quickly on flights!), and eye drops/contact solution.
Carry on my favorite book of all time, ‘Redeeming Love’ by Francine Rivers. You need to read it at least once in your lifetime, and if you’ve already read it, read it again.
Here’s hoping we’re able to start planning our next trips soon.
