Let’s get this out of the way. I will admit that I tend to overpack. You can never have enough tops, underwear, and shoes for a trip. I also have an outfit in my giant handbag just in case there is a problem with my suitcase. Overseas trips always, always are hard for me to pack for because I typically need clothing for: going out, walking around, exercising, and a special event. For this post I will talk about packing for a trip that is fewer than 5 days.
Pre-packing
- Check the weather reports for both the place you’re going to and for the place that you’ll be returning to. Since I live in Colorado and it has already begun snowing in the mountains and dropping to 45 degrees occasionally in Denver I have to also prepare for cold weather when I return. I don’t want to go somewhere warm and return and look like a fool because I didn’t bring a coat and there’s a blizzard outside when I get back.
- Pack for the type of event/trip you’re going on-I’m going to FinCon13 tomorrow (October 17, 2013) so I need clothes that reflect my style, are comfortable, and can be dressed up or down.
- If you’re going to a dressier city you may want to elevate your regular style. I dress nicely in Colorado, I ROCK IT in Europe. Period. You want to blend in and draw attention to yourself for the right reasons. Never wear fanny packs, light blue colored jeans, shorts, baseball caps, white tennis shoes, or jerseys to Europe! It’s just too obvious that you’re not from there and you may be singled out as a non-European super fast. In a bad way 🙂 It’s the truth.
- Pull out your carry on three or four days early. Don’t pack at the last minute you will always miss something!
- Think about all the clothes you’ll need: travel clothes, walking around clothes, exercise clothes, and sleep wear.
Packing:Â
- When I go overseas I always pack like clothes into gallon sized bags. I do this for three reasons, once I had oil spill on my suitcase and was lucky that my clothes weren’t ruined. Two, it increases the amount of space you have in your suitcase. Three, It makes it easier to find things in your suitcase and Customs and Border Patrol have an easier time checking your suitcase and don’t mess everything up when they do. I probably won’t do this for a short trip, I’m still deciding.
- Pull out all of the clothes you plan on wearing. See how many outfits you have and then get rid of two.
- Women: Include a dress or skirt that you can change up maybe you can put a sweater over the top of the dress or switch up the tops. People really don’t focus on what you’re wearing…unless you’re dirty or stinky. So, you’re good!! Umm, as hard as this is for some people-bring some flat shoes so that you can switch shoes when your feet get tired. Casual clothes should not be slouchy. Jeans are absolutely o.k.! Just pull it together-cute shoes, nice shirt, and some earrings.
- Men: Include a pair of slacks. Try to have them pressed before the trip but all hotel rooms include an ironing board and iron. Collared shirt-obviously. Polish your leather shoes. Boom. When it’s time to be causal jeans are o.k. too! Just please no wrinkles, throw on a little cologne or aftershave, and look like you tried. Now, you’re looking hot.
What I am packing for this week (and next week will be similar…) Am going to two conferences in a row…
- Colored Skinny Jeans-Emerald green/blue/red-all can be worn with tall black boots and a cute black sweater or turtleneck
- Black Trench Coat-shiny material
- Tennis Shoes-I always work out a lot on trips, helps to balance out the food and alcohol!
- Flip Flops-I plan on using the pool
- Swimsuit-same as above
- Socks-5 pairs. I always bring more than what I need.
- Undies-At least 10. I have an irrational fear of not having enough undies.
- Black-Sweater/Turtleneck/Short-Sleeved Turtleneck
- Cute Fake pashmina-Black
- A dress or skirt
- Cute top for night of dancing!! Lace or Sequined
- Cute Bracelet/Earrings
Product
- Lotion
- Tooth Paste
- Soap
- Saline Solution
- Contacts
- Perfume
- Tiny thing of hand sanitizer
Personal Electronics*
*First World Problems
- Laptop
- Phone
- Ipod
- Charger
- A Braun hand blender for my protein shakes.
Food Items
I’m trying to lose 20-25 pounds so I have to really focus on my snacking. I’m in the right frame of mind and have been really focused. I don’t want to lose momentum while I’m at back to back conferences.
- I am bringing protein shakes (powdered)
- Justin’s Almond Butter Packets
- Lara Bars
- Apples
- Cheese sticks
I will be bringing only a carry on
Google Pic-Love it though. This guy packs just like I do!! And, he’s going to the next overseas destination that I want to go to-Nicaragua. Cool.
Can’t wait to meet everyone and to grow professionally and personally. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and learning from you! Safe travels everyone 🙂Â
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I LOVE all of your packing ideas, but I really love the ziplock idea (bowing down to the queen of packing). Thank you for this post. I will do a similar post for sure. Thanks a million!!!!! And see you at Zumba!!!!!
I always have to fight against overpacking though!
You are so organized! I hope you have a great time and can’t wait to hear about the conference. Enjoy!
I try my best. If only I could get rid of the freaking paper pile. WHy is there always a paper pile??
I ALWAYS over pack – I like to have options haha
I totally understand!
I do the ziplock thing too on certain trips. Used to play in tennis leagues and we’d go away for State or National finals for less than a week. I’d put each tennis outfit including hat and socks in a ziplock. That way I could get ready quickly in the morning while sharing a condo with 5 other people as my outfits were already put together, I just had to grab a bag. I could just also grab an extra to change into at the courst and throw in my racquet bag (we played 4 matches in a day), already preppred and ready to go. The stinky sweaty stuff could also go right back in the carry on and easily singled out for washing as soon as I got home. I’ve never considered using for non-tennis trips but I think I will, easy way to stay organized and cheaper than packing cubes. Hopping over from SaveSpendSplurge.
I am very jealous that you used to play competitive tennis. I am working on a see all 4 Tennis Opens Challenge. So far I’ve been to the U.S. Open, I can’t wait to get to the other three. I love traveling and just found that having an organized way of packing keeps my travel life easy. I also had an incident where the TSA checked my bags. I didn’t know that until several weeks later when I found a little note that they leave when inspecting luggage. Now, I just always have things super organized so that they can look at every think quickly and easily. Thanks for stopping by!!