5 Helpful Packing Tips for Your Next Trip
As last week’s post centered on things to do at home before you leave for vacation, I would be remiss if I didn’t toss in some packing tips as well. The name of the game is always to pack less than you think, and to double up on multitasking products and clothes. Ze tips:
1. Pack, then unpack a little. The Coco Chanel Rule is as follows: before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory. The same is true with packing. I always like to pack briskly and then give my suitcase a second pass to pluck the extra cardigan, dress, or skirt I’m probably not going to wear on my trip. Your suitcase will be delightfully roomy, and you’ll have some extra space for the random scarf or two you bought at that flea market.
2. Practice yoga? Bring this mat. If you, like me, do yoga on a regular basis to stay centered, grounded, yada yada, there’s no need to let your yoga practice slide while on holiday. This yoga mat folds into a compact 2 inch-thick square, and in my opinion, it’s far superior to the roll up version for travel purposes (who wants to lug around a separate thingamajig on holiday!).
3. Use dust bags as packing cubes. I’ve said it before and here I am saying it again, but I truly don’t see the sense in packing cubes (unzipping your suitcase seems like a chore enough, so let’s leave it at that!). I do see the sense in compartmentalizing bathing suits, underwear, socks and laundry, however. I toss mine into separate dust bags, so as to forego a confetti of errant undies floating around my suitcase.
4. Wear bulkier clothes/footwear on the plane. Save your suitcase some space by wearing the heaviest/bulkiest items with you ON the plane. In my case, this means the heavier pair of white sneakers, the bulkier scarf, jacket, and sweatshirt, which conveniently doubles as a comfy outfit to wear on the plane. The slimmer, lightweight shoes like ballet flats and sandals will then nestle nicely in your suitcase.
5. Pare down your makeup and skincare routine. Whatever your skincare and makeup routine might be chez vous, divide it in half. Give the gizmos and gadgetry a break and keep the LED face mask and facial toning device at home. Same goes for the essences, retinols, sheet masks, or other primping paraphernalia (DO bring the sunscreen, however). And while we’re on the topic of paring down products, I’m a big fan of bringing along multi-tasking products like tinted moisturizer and lip/cheek blush. While I use these in everyday life, they’re especially handy on jaunts to faraway places. Bon voyage!