How to Pack: The Packing List
Going on a trip this summer? Check out Domestic CEO’s 4 tips for how to create a super-efficient packing list
When I was about 7-years-old, I started going to summer camp. My first years at camp were for just a night or two, but I quickly developed a love for camp. It was a time for me to meet new friends, learn new skills, and most importantly, I got to learn how to pack a suitcase. In all seriousness, making my packing list and getting everything to fit in my suitcase quickly became my favorite summer activity. The 6 weeks leading up to camp were spent modifying my packing list, deciding which luggage I was going to take, and figuring out how to pack a suitcase with enough clothes for my weeks away from home.
To this day, I still pride myself on being an expert in how to pack a suitcase, so every time Mr. Domestic CEO and I go on a trip, I get a little giddy with excitement. If you are planning a summertime vacation or simply want a few more tips on how to pack, then my next few episodes are for you. I’m going to give you my best packing tips to help you get trip off on the right foot.
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This episode will focus on the importance of a packing list. A packing list is the best way to make sure you don’t under or over pack for any trip. Think back to your last vacation. When you were 3 days into your vacation, did you find yourself at a local store picking up sunscreen, lotion, or makeup that you forgot to pack? Worse yet, did you have to find a store to purchase a few pairs of underwear because they didn’t make it into your suitcase? Or, at the end of your vacation did you have more clean clothes than dirty ones? Were you cursing the fact that you had to pay 2 baggage fees to the airline when you could have gotten everything into one suitcase? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I would put money on the fact that you didn’t create a packing list for your trip.
To avoid this sort of calamity in the future, here are my first 4 packing list tips:
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Packing Tip #1: Consider the Culture
When creating a packing list, start by considering the culture you are going to visit. Last year I went out to New York City to visit the wonderful Quick and Dirty Tips team at their headquarters. I had created a great packing list, packed just enough clothes to get me through the week, and was super excited to be visiting a city so different from Phoenix.
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Well, it took me about 5 minutes after exiting the airplane to realize that I had packed completely wrong for this metropolitan city. In Phoenix, we wear a lot of light colored clothes. When I stepped onto the subway, I soon realized that all the peach, pink, and yellow clothes I brought made me look like Suzy Sunshine in a sea of black and grey. Ultimately, after I had worn the only pair of jeans I brought so much that they could stand up on their own, I ran to a store and bought a few pieces that I could mix and match to tone down the be beachy feel of my clothes. My packing list should have included more jeans, less yellow skirts, and definitely more flat shoes.
Now, I realize that my lack of research in this situation is more comical than catastrophe, but there are a number of countries where a lack of research can get you in trouble. Does the country you are visiting frown upon women wearing clothes that show off their legs? Imagine you arrive in one of these countries with your shorty shorts and knee-length skirts. Your lack of cultural research may actually cause you problems because you are actively showing disrespect to the local culture. Doing just a little research on the area you’re visiting will help you decide which items in your closet can make it onto your packing list.
Packing Tip #2: Consider the Climate
Just like not researching the culture of your destination, not researching the climate can leave you miserable. The first time I went to San Diego in June, I had packed sundresses and swimsuits—after all, it was summertime in California. A little research would have told me that “June Gloom,” as the locals refer to it, means that June is typically overcast and cool. Who knew I would wind up wearing jeans and a hoodie for most of my trip? Well, I would have if I spent 10 minutes on a quick internet search of weather at my destination.
Research the climate of the area you are going to so that you can be sure your packing list reflects the climate. You don’t want to wear the same thing every day of your trip simply because it’s 30 degrees cooler than you anticipated.
Packing Tip #3: Write it Down
When I’m deciding which items to bring on a trip, I start by writing down which bottoms I want to wear. For a 7-day trip, I typically bring 4 bottoms to wear during the day and 2 to wear at night. Then I write down 1 or 2 tops that will go with each of those bottoms. For a weeklong trip, I usually bring about 10 layering tops, like tank tops, and 2 or 3 top layers, like cardigans or jackets. Between mixing and matching of the layers, I can usually create 15-20 different outfit options to fit my mood.
After the outfits are chosen, it’s time to pick which shoes make the cut. I typically try to bring one or two pairs for daytime sight-seeing, 1 pair for evenings, and a pair of flip flops to wear around the hotel. You can adjust these numbers to fit your style and trip, but I would encourage you to always write your packing list out because it will keep you from over-packing or bringing items that don’t match with anything and will just take up space in your luggage.
After you write out the outfit options, it’s time to grab the details. How many pairs of underwear do you need? How many bras? How many socks? Which jewelry? Detailing out each and every item on your packing list will help ensure you don’t end up having to wash your undergarments mid-trip (unless of course that’s part of your plan for packing light).
Packing Trip #4: Remember the Extras
After you’re done filling your packing list full of clothes and accessories, it’s time to detail out all the other stuff you need to bring. Think about what items you use on a daily basis. Which ones you can live without for a few days? Which ones will be available at the place you’re staying? Which ones can you absolutely not forget? Think about everything from makeup to shampoo to sunscreen. If you know you are going to need it on your trip, write it on your packing list immediately. The advantage of writing these items on a packing list a few days before your trip is that you can add to it when you think of something else you forgot (a razor perhaps??), so write this list early so you can modify it as necessary before you actually pack your suitcase.
Now that I have you convinced to create a packing list for every trip you go on, make sure to looks out for Part 2 of this mini series when I’ll show you how to get all the items from your packing list into the bag wrinkle free!
If you have any questions or comments on this episode, I would love to hear from you. You can post them my Facebook wall, or tweet me your experiences @thedomesticceo.
Until next time, I’m the Domestic CEO, helping you love your home.
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