One of my most favorite things is traveling. One of my least favorite things is packing. In the past I've been notoriously bad. Once in my mid-20's, John and I went to Mexico for a beach vacation and I brought one pair of shorts--ONE--and 20 tanks. And that was back when I actually had the legs to wear shorts!
I've learned some packing lessons thru the years, and most of them the hard way. Having just packed for our Costa Rica holiday, I've been thinking of my packing tips and thought I'd share a few.
1. Packing light is bullocks. It sounds good in theory, but first figure out what you need, and then if it fits into the "neat and light" category great, if not, then don't try to weed things out, you'll just end up bummed you forgot something. Better to have more than you need than not enough. Lots of people will say, "oh, you can always buy it there if you need it." True, but have you ever tried to shop for something you "need" on a holiday? It isn't fun, because just by virtue of the fact you "need" it, means it won't be easy to find.
2. It'll feel hotter than you thought, and colder than you thought. When you are packing in 70 degree weather for a 95/humid climate, you know it is hot, but it is hard ot remember HOW hot that is. I couldn't envision what I'd feel like wearing in 95 degree, tropical humidity when I left for Costa Rica...and let me tell you, once I got there I quickly disgarded the idea of putting on anything fitted, or clingy. I also regretted lugging my flat iron. Cotton voile, linen...airy and light. There is nothing worse than trying to squeeze into something tight when your body is sticky, and there is nothing worse than feeling yourself sweat through a fitted shirt. Ugh. I brought my Michael Stars linen shorts, my PJ Salvage cotton voile tunics, my EF linen dress...you get the picture.
3. Pack something for the coldest possibility, and something for the warmest possibility. When I left for Costa Rica the gal that owned the home we rented told me we'd never need a long sleeve top or anything for "cool" weather. Well, she was right, 95% of the time, but we had a couple of really stormy days, and it is funny how 80 can feel cool when it is wet, rainy, and you've got a little sunburn. I certainly didn't want a sweater, but I had brought my Hard Tail open front white cardigan and it was perfect over a tank and a pair of shorts!
4. Make sure you have shoes to go wtih every possible outfit. I am not one of those packers who lays out specific outfits and then doesn't deviate from those outfits. I do my packing by stacking "bottoms", "tops" and "dresses" into piles and then checking that I have shoes that will go with each of them. I like to put outfits together on the fly when traveling mostly because I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing, what the weather will look like, and how I'll feel...so planning specific outfits is too much predicting for me. Instead, I bring a skirt that I know has 3-4 tops that could go with it. It is all mute though if you don't have good versatile shoes to wear with your many combos.
5. Make sure you bring the right bras to go with the right tops. I made the rookie mistake of not bringing a strapless bra to CR--but I brought a strapless sundress, which of course didn't get worn because I can't go bra-less anymore. Bummer. Racerback, strapless, nude....do a mental tally of what you'll need.
6. Personally, I avoid bringing things I have to dry clean unless I'm on an "adult vacation" at a luxury hotel with dry clean service (wow, doesn't that sound nice?) If I have access to washing machines, I pack-down certain areas. For example, pajamas. If you have a washing machine you don't need 7 pairs of pajamas for 7 nghts...you need 3, maybe 4 (the 4th being something more fun and sexy because after all, you are on vacation :-) ). If you have a washing machine you don't need 4 white tanks, you need 1 or 2.
7. Always have a big enough handbag for the plane, and then bring an across the body, small bag for night/walking around.
