Going on a vacation is an extremely exciting experience; packing for said vacation, not so much. In fact, deciding what items you should bring along and arranging them neatly in a suitcase is probably the least favourite part of planning a trip. Unless you’re Marie Kondo or a super organised person that has to have everything under control, you probably hate this part too.
After all, there are more important things to think about such as booking tickets and accommodation, making reservations for Manchester airport parking, or creating the perfect travel itinerary.
That’s why most people leave packing to the last minute and then simply throw everything they think they need inside a bag, without putting too much thought into it.
There are usually two ways this can go and neither make for a good start to a vacation: you either bring way too many clothes with you that just occupy space in your luggage and make you pay extra fees at the airport, or worse, you can discover upon arrival that you’ve packed the wrong things and none of the pieces in your suitcase match, so you have nothing to wear – at least nothing nice.
There’s no way around it: if you want to avoid falling into these traps and look great while exploring new destinations, you need to plan your vacation wardrobe in advance.
But here’s the thing: you can take the sting out of packing and put together fashionable vacation outfits with ease if you approach it the right way and this guide is going to teach you how to do it.
1. Use your destination as an inspiration
Narrowing down your outfit options should start with thinking about the destination (or dentations) that you’re planning to visit. And the weather is the first major factor that you need to take into consideration.
The time of the year you’re travelling and the weather forecast for your trip will help you decide if you should pack short skirts and breezy blouses or cosy sweaters and warm trousers.
Also, if you plan to travel to a country with a different culture than yours, you should do a bit of research on the local customs and traditions, and learn if there are any clothing restrictions or requirements you need to respect, so you don’t cause involuntary offence with your outfits.
That way, you’ll know exactly what type of items you should pack and you’ll be able to show respect to the cultures you’re visiting by adhering to the appropriate dress code.
2. Consider the trip length and travel activities
While you should leave room for a bit of spontaneity when travelling, there are things you should decide on in advance, such as searching for airline tickets, looking for accommodation or checking prices for parking at Stansted. And matching your clothing to your travel needs should also be included in this category.
The length of your trip and the activities that you’re going to engage in while you’re away, play a very important role in planning your outfits. You’ll obviously need more clothes for a two-week vacation than you’d need for a two-days city break.
When it comes to activities, you have to make sure your clothes won’t become a burden or an impediment to enjoying your vacation to the fullest. For example, if you intend to explore your destination on foot or spend your time in nature, you should ditch formal shoes and elegant attire and opt for comfortable footwear and casual or sporty pieces instead.
3. Choose versatile pieces
Now that you’ve thought about the weather and the things you’re going to do during your trip, you can finally start selecting the pieces that suit your requirements.
A great way to narrow down your options further is to opt for versatile clothing items such as basic T-shirts and blouses, jeans, clean-cut jackets or simple trousers that can be worn multiple times in various combinations.
It’s best to stick to neutral colours as they go with everything, work well for layering and will make it so much easier for you to create day-to-day outfits. Then you can use accessories to add a bit of colour and interest to your looks.
4. Combine pieces until you find the right match
You might think that you have it all figured out now and the only thing that you need to do is to pack your clothes into your suitcase.
However, there’s one more step you have to take before the packing can begin and that is doing something similar to a dress rehearsal.
Once you’ve picked out enough pieces for your trip, you can start playing around by mixing and matching them in different combinations so you can decide which ones work best and finally put together your vacation outfits. You can do that by laying your clothes on the bed or you can try them on to make sure you’re happy with your choices.
5. Don’t forget the essentials
As a last piece of advice, don’t forget to pack the essentials. Make sure you pack enough underwear, including seamless skin-toned panties that will help you avoid unfortunate colour contrasts and inaesthetic lines, especially if you plan on wearing white or tight-fitting clothes.
A bra that works well with all types of outfits and necklines is also a must for your travel wardrobe. And if you want to be prepared for every situation, you should also include a sewing kit and a small tube of laundry detergent in your luggage.
Wrapping up
Packing for a trip is not something that most travellers are eager for. However, taking the time to plan your outfits carefully is a step you should not skip as it’s going to make your travel time a lot more enjoyable. So, next time you’re getting ready to explore the world, use this guide as a source of motivation and inspiration to pack smartly and travel in style.
Keep being AllDayChic!
