There’s nothing quite like the thrill of planning for a holiday. While the current health situation has put a damper on everyone’s travel plans, for the time being, there’s nothing wrong with planning your dream holiday and prepping for it once travel restrictions finally ease up. And when it comes to planning for a holiday, there’s one part that you either love or hate: packing.
Packing for a holiday is an entire beast on its own. You either love it or you hate it, and chances are the people reading this article you fall into the latter camp. Well, fret not! Packing for a trip can be a bit tricky, but below are some top tips you can incorporate into your own routine.
Rely on a small and sturdy bag
If you have a tendency to over-pack, you might want to consider downsizing your luggage. Starting off with a huge suitcase can make you feel like you need to fill it to the brim, so opting for a smaller bag can help minimise that temptation. Travel writer Brandon Schultz has made a list of the best road trip backpacks that are godsends for minimalist packing. Day Owl’s The Backpack takes the cake for its sleek design full of hidden pockets, while the Adventurist Classic is — you guessed it — a classic pick that works with anyone’s style.
Plan out a capsule wardrobe
The term “capsule wardrobe” is all the rage nowadays with people wanting to downsize their closets, but this mindset works for travelling too. The key to mastering a capsule wardrobe is picking a few pieces that can easily be mixed and matched together so that you’re relying on an all-star rotation of three to four tops instead of bringing 10 tops for 10 separate outfits. Going for high-quality items is also your best bet, as this ensures you can re-wear a certain piece without a fuss.
Don’t forget at least one evening outfit
Going for a night out is always a must during any trip! Once you have your capsule wardrobe in place, make sure you have at least one evening outfit in tow. Thankfully, you don’t have to bring an evening gown or anything too fancy. Pretty Me’s guide to best dress styles recommends a sleek sheath dress or a figure-hugging wrap dress to flatter your body while still making a statement. This tip needs to be highlighted, as one great evening outfit can help you really make the most of a destination’s best restaurants and bars.
Opt for multi-purpose products as much as possible
Whether it’s a shawl that doubles up as a scarf or a reversible top, opting for multi-purpose products helps you pack smart. And this tip doesn’t just apply to clothes, as you can even find multi-purpose skincare and beauty items to keep you glowing even while travelling. As the name suggests, Lano’s Everywhere multi-cream works as a moisturiser, hand cream, and eye cream all in one convenient tube! You can also find beauty sticks that work as eye shadow, blush, and lipstick.
Go through your electronics list
Electronic devices can be extremely bulky, and that’s without considering all the charging cables and adaptors you need to bring! It’s worth going through each electronic item that you’re planning to bring, and ask yourself if it’s really worth it. If your goal is to disconnect from your responsibilities, it might be best to leave your laptop at home. If you really want to bring a camera to shoot photos, consider bringing just one other lens at the very most.
A packing list
When the moment finally comes to pack for your trip, you will want to make sure you include everything that you are going to need. It wouldn’t be a fun experience to get to the airport, all excited for your trip, just to realize you left something as simple and as important as your ID at home. That’s why we have created an all-inclusive packing list to help you out on your travels.
While our post on How to Have a Holiday Without Leaving Home highlights how you can have fun right now, planning for your dream holiday can make you feel a little more optimistic about the future. Practising minimalist packing helps reduce the fuss that comes with travel and ensures you get to focus on what matters most: making memories.
Article was written by Camilla Hope
Exclusively for b4i.travel