We are in the midst of summer which means that social media is ablaze with stunning vacation posts. Going away on a trip is exciting during any season of the year, but there is always that question of “what should I pack?”
Frankly speaking, I’m a last minute, night-before packer because I personally dread it. How do we condense our daily closet into a suitcase without compromising style while on vacay mode? To help us better pack and embrace this “chore,” I enlisted the expert guidance of local stylist and founder of Antidote Styles, Wendy Pomeranz.
What is the recurring packing mistake you’ve seen first-hand time and time again?
Not going with an itinerary in mind. Planning ahead of what the activities and weather will be is a big impact on what you plan on packing. Keep things simplified.
Hypothetically, if you’re going away for one week, how many looks should one pack?
Again, this is all based on your itinerary. Ideally, you would want to stick with the 3,3,3 method. This means 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 3 shoes. This allows you with a variety of outfits. You might end up with 12 to 15 outfits.
Shoes can take up space in one’s suitcase, not to mention add weight. What type of footwear do you suggest and how many pairs to bring?
Again, this all depends on what your itinerary will be. I do always recommend one pair of good walking shoes, one elevated sandal and one type of heel. Lately, Rothy’s has been a shoe brand I’ve recommended. It’s stylish and comfy.
The same goes with handbags…How do you choose what to bring?
Plan on packing a clutch, casual crossbody and one handbag. I usually carry my handbag with me and add my two others in there. Don’t plan on packing a handbag with every outfit. Think versatility.
Any packing hacks and products you like to use? Are you a fan of packing cubes?
Yes! Packing cubes are a must, especially for long, extended travels. Also, roll your items so you have less wrinkles when unpacking. Pack wrinkle-resistant fabric. Anatomie is a brand I recently came across and checks off all the must-haves when it comes to travel! Most importantly, don’t forget shoe bags!
How do you select the pieces to bring? Should we stick with a specific color palette (ie. black)?
Ideally, stick with versatile pieces and one color palette. By doing so, you are able to incorporate patterns and colors through accessories. I highly recommended creating looks before packing. You can either photograph them or write out the outfits you are thinking of bringing. Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your suitcase. Start creating looks a few days before to alleviate stress and actually enjoy the process. After all, traveling is fun and the pre-planning can be too.
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