Strategic Travel Packing

One of my FAVORITE services is travel packing for my clients.  It can be such an overwhelming portion in prepping for traveling, but it doesn’t have to be.  I have a roadmap that I use with 2 main starting points that really help me (and my clients) pair things down and don’t over think things.  I know that everyone wants to look effortlessly chic while exploring new parts of the world and you can do that without looking like a crazy American lugging around 2 large suitcases. 🙂


TRAVEL PACKING ROADMAP

  1. Choose a color palette - This is definitely your starting point and very important.  This allows you to pack less items and truly mix and match AND wear your pieces more than once.  I typically let my destination influence the color palette.  For example, when I go to NYC I go with Black, White, Gray.  When I travel to the mountains, I go with blues and greens.  When I travel to the beach, I pack white and bright colors.  You get the picture!  And I would recommend if you are traveling as a family to color coordinate the entire family.  It just makes your photos look cohesive.  

  2. Choose your shoes wisely - This is based on the color palette and with the mindset of a very limited # of shoes.  Shoes can add bulk very quickly and it’s not necessary.  I typically try to stick with one day shoe (usually sneakers), one night shoe (something dresser for dinners), and then a flip flop (for pool, house shoe substitute).  This formula typically works but it takes discipline not to throw other shoes in.  Just because you have a more fabulous shoe to match that dress doesn’t mean you have to pack it.  My sneakers are typically white (or black if NYC) or some type of neutral/versatile option.  Then the night shoe is typically a neutral color to work with everything.  This is a major game changer once you adopt this system.


IMPORTANT TIPS

  1. Prep well in advance!  Depending on where I’m traveling to, I always plan with plenty of time for any last minute errands.  If I’m traveling overseas, I start two weeks out.  Otherwise, I typically start 5-7 days out.  This gives you a little wiggle room to get all your laundry done or if you have to run out to pick up something missing.

  2. Use a Travel Packing List - I have a travel packing list that I always start by mapping out everything.  I list out the destinations, local weather, activities, and then the coordinating outfits.  I literally go day by day and list out “Travel Look” “Day Look” “Boat Look” “Dinner Look”.  Then I add up how many Travel Looks I need and Day Looks and so on.  This helps me gauge how many pieces I need to pack. 

  3. Get all your “tools” for your tool box - It’s a great time to add or replenish a few wardrobe essentials to your closet when you are travel packing.  This is why we start early in case you need to pick up a few pieces to refresh things OR fill in something missing.  We definitely needed to do this for my husband this year for our trip to Italy.  

  4. Keep Things Simple - I typically focus on a bit more of a simple wardrobe especially when I need to mix and match while packing in a carry on.  This also applies to my jewelry.  If you are needing to refresh a few wardrobe essentials, I’ve got you covered here.

  5. Literally pull out everything together - This will give you a great visual on what is missing.  This also allows you to mix and match to find multiple outfits within your pieces you have picked out to pack.


LITTLE BONUS TIPS

  1. Don’t take new shoes - If they are newish, be sure to wear them around a bit before you hit the streets as a tourist.  There is nothing worse than blisters on your heels and toes when you are just wanting to enjoy the sites.

  2. Stuff your shoes with socks and belts - I’m always looking for clever ways to save space.  This helps keep your shoes shape while storing your socks and belts.

  3. Packing cubes can compress - I’m not sure that packing cubes were meant to compress your clothes, but I sure use them to squeeze things in a tighter way.  If you haven’t purchased any before, now is the time.  I have my favorites among other favorite travel tools linked here.


Right now I’m currently travel packing for our trip to Italy.  I also feel like I’m going on many other trips as I live vicariously through my clients’ travels to Greece, London, and all over Europe this summer.  If you missed the last travel blog on here, be sure to check out our guest blogger Lyra Powell’s post.  Many nuggets of wisdom in here!


Safe Travels!

with LOVE and grace,

Elizabeth


Elizabeth Elias