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FeedPlanes, Trains, & Automobiles: Packing for Traveling
With the holiday season knocking on the door many people are going to be traveling to see friends and loved ones. For the next month or so you'll see at least three news stories about how gas prices shot up fifty cents overnight or all flights on the Eastern Seaboard are delayed due to a snowstorm. Even if you've never traveled during the holiday season you know it's craziness. Having taken one or ten business trips in my day, my advice is to avoid checked luggage at all costs in case it gets lost (this is assuming you are packing for just yourself). I'm also going to assume you're okay with wearing a pair of jeans at least twice which will really help save on room. Below I'm going to show how to pack for five days, and manage to keep it all in a carry-on.
One of the key tips to packing light is to keep a similar color palette. This will allow you to mix and match pieces with ease. I used tan, black, and grey in this example but look at your wardrobe and you'll be able to figure out what yours should be. For my flight/train trip out, I would wear leggings, boots, and a drapey cardigan with a tee underneath because you don't know if the plane is going to be hot or cold. I would also pair the boots with the skinny jeans on the way back so you don't have to pack them. These outfits may all seem somewhat plain, but necklaces, bangles, or light scarves don't take up much room in your carry-on and can really make an outfit.
I added a crossbody purse to this set because it is frighteningly easy to forget your purse on the counter at the Starbucks on the E concourse in Charlotte and you don't realize it until it's time to board and you're on the A concourse. That's a respectable walk or run, depending on your level of desperation.
I also recommend going easy on the cosmetics. I used to pack half my collection for a weekend trip because I was afraid of not having what I wanted just in case something came up. I know better now: A) Broken makeup is no fun, and B) I usually ended up wearing the same look everyday. Stila makes great travel palettes for under $20, and even Target and Walmart carry travel palettes at reasonable prices.
Even if you're happy to stay at home this Thanksgiving and watch football (my plan), take care, be safe, and have a happy Thanksgiving!
