My worst habit while packing: overestimating my free time. „Oh I need my kindle and maybe small knitting project and sudoku is nice on the beach, oh and a notebook…“
Best hack I found 2 years ago:
Laundry Detergent Sheets.
Throw 3-4 in a zip lock bag and you can hand wash urgent stains. Zero weight.
Biggest question:
5-4-3-2-1 - how to change if you mainly wear dresses on a beach vacation? 5 dresses, 4 tops, 2-3 bottoms, 2-3 shoes? I used to pack 7 light dresses and 3 nicer dresses (you know evening in the hotel) for two weeks and was good to go in 10mins.
And how to do 5-4-3-2-1 with kids (3 & 5 YO) that stain themselves at every meal? 🤣
We usually go for 10-12 day, no washing in the hotel except for a few shirts, but I noticed hand washing ruins them pretty fast.
For 10 days I did: 7-8 tees, 4-5 shorts, linen shirt, 1-2 leggings, 2 shoes, cardigans.
Packing for small kids is so hard 😆 everything leaves stains. Here have a muffin - 5 second later - crumbs smeared into the fabric…
Good question! The formula is highly flexible so you can adjust based on your wardrobe staples. If you live in dresses I might suggest 4 dresses, 3 tops, 2 bottoms. When my kids were young I just packed dark leggings and cottons tops - and plenty of stain remover! xx
Mom of 4 kids here! If a piece of clothing still appears clean but has been worn, we wear it again, as to get more out of each piece. I also have my kids bathe at night and get in their clean clothes for the next day so we don't need as many pajamas. And we always travel with a clothes line and clothes pins to be able to clean and dry clothes anywhere.
I also mostly wear dresses. All our vacation photos I am wearing the same clothes but I don't mind! I like to wear a lot of scarves or change up my outerwear (for seasons outside of summer). I usually plan to wear each dress twice (more if a longer trip).
Must be 15 years ago now but 8 weeks multiple countries (luckily in summer) with one small carry on each and an additional hand bag/purse for me- it was the best decision and made the trip so much easier. Wish I had your guide at the time I spent hours researching packing advice!
I've packed carryon only for over ten years! I'm about to stay in the Bay Area for the month of July with one carryon! San Francisco and Marin split 50/50 so temps from 55-90! Wish me luck.\
I also find the little Patagonia nano puff vest that folds in on itself is a good for SF evenings.
I do keep a toiletry bag ready to go at all times as well (I like a hanging bag--I use a Vera Bradley one in a solid chartreuse).
I also pack two sets of pajamas and a towel head wrap. Even crazier--these are my TRAVEL pajamas that I only wear when traveling.
Perfect timing, I'm flying to London in 3 days time and need to pack. I don't like to wear jeans in summer, it's too hot. I have looked at the weather for London for our dates and it's going to be warm. I think that dresses and shorts are goint to be the best bet and comfy shoes, as we will be walking around a lot. I need to leave a little space in my luggage in case I buy something, I want to go to Fortnum and Masons and I might need to get a few food treats.
I don’t like jeans in hot weather either. I went to New Orleans this spring and packed a pair of linen trousers. It actually ended up being cooler and rainy and I wore my leggings under the trousers. Bonus — the linen dries faster than jeans and other heavier materials. Have a great time in London!
Thank you for this terrific information, I am saving it for our next vacation. One question, I love your clothing choices such as the chambray shirt and white blouse, how do you keep them from getting super wrinkled in your suitcase?
Wonderful reminder. I am going for two weeks with a backpack and a small wheelie bag, leaving next week. I have to work as well, so I need my laptop to be able to give presentations.
And I'm going to bring gifts and some books for friends, so that is going to be my challenge, because it is even less space like that. To find something meaningful to give and the things I am taking with me for friends.
What I was thinking about that I can replace the space with things I actually need, and I find it much better to buy clothes abroad as a reminder of the nice times instead of silly souvenirs. Probably I'll buy a couple of toiletries on the spot as well. I don't know yet. I am trying to finalize the things I need to take for others and see how much space remains.
Thank you for the list. I already put my outfits together in my head. And I'm taking a skirt too!
Compression packing cubes are a game changer! I can fit most of my one-week wardrobe in one large cube which leaves room for bulky items like shoes, toiletry case, etc.in my suitcase. When bringing gifts I typically tuck them into my travel tote - after gifting to friends you'll have some bonus space on the way home for any souvenirs! xx
Great advice! I do a version of most of these things already but love your recommendations to upgrade the whole experience. It feels so good to be dialed in like this while traveling!
Just this past week I was thinking how I needed to search your posts for packing tips before an upcoming trip. What an absolute joy to find this in my inbox this morning! Thank you, Shira. Super helpful and I appreciate you sharing your curated less is more lifestyle with us.
My biggest challenge is packing toiletries. The travel capsules look interesting. Would you share what sizes generally work for you when taking a one to two week trip. Thanks!
So good!
I already do a couple of those things.
My worst habit while packing: overestimating my free time. „Oh I need my kindle and maybe small knitting project and sudoku is nice on the beach, oh and a notebook…“
Best hack I found 2 years ago:
Laundry Detergent Sheets.
Throw 3-4 in a zip lock bag and you can hand wash urgent stains. Zero weight.
Biggest question:
5-4-3-2-1 - how to change if you mainly wear dresses on a beach vacation? 5 dresses, 4 tops, 2-3 bottoms, 2-3 shoes? I used to pack 7 light dresses and 3 nicer dresses (you know evening in the hotel) for two weeks and was good to go in 10mins.
And how to do 5-4-3-2-1 with kids (3 & 5 YO) that stain themselves at every meal? 🤣
We usually go for 10-12 day, no washing in the hotel except for a few shirts, but I noticed hand washing ruins them pretty fast.
For 10 days I did: 7-8 tees, 4-5 shorts, linen shirt, 1-2 leggings, 2 shoes, cardigans.
Packing for small kids is so hard 😆 everything leaves stains. Here have a muffin - 5 second later - crumbs smeared into the fabric…
Good question! The formula is highly flexible so you can adjust based on your wardrobe staples. If you live in dresses I might suggest 4 dresses, 3 tops, 2 bottoms. When my kids were young I just packed dark leggings and cottons tops - and plenty of stain remover! xx
Laundry detergent sheets — genius idea!
Mom of 4 kids here! If a piece of clothing still appears clean but has been worn, we wear it again, as to get more out of each piece. I also have my kids bathe at night and get in their clean clothes for the next day so we don't need as many pajamas. And we always travel with a clothes line and clothes pins to be able to clean and dry clothes anywhere.
I also mostly wear dresses. All our vacation photos I am wearing the same clothes but I don't mind! I like to wear a lot of scarves or change up my outerwear (for seasons outside of summer). I usually plan to wear each dress twice (more if a longer trip).
Must be 15 years ago now but 8 weeks multiple countries (luckily in summer) with one small carry on each and an additional hand bag/purse for me- it was the best decision and made the trip so much easier. Wish I had your guide at the time I spent hours researching packing advice!
I've packed carryon only for over ten years! I'm about to stay in the Bay Area for the month of July with one carryon! San Francisco and Marin split 50/50 so temps from 55-90! Wish me luck.\
I also find the little Patagonia nano puff vest that folds in on itself is a good for SF evenings.
I do keep a toiletry bag ready to go at all times as well (I like a hanging bag--I use a Vera Bradley one in a solid chartreuse).
I also pack two sets of pajamas and a towel head wrap. Even crazier--these are my TRAVEL pajamas that I only wear when traveling.
Love it! xx
Perfect timing, I'm flying to London in 3 days time and need to pack. I don't like to wear jeans in summer, it's too hot. I have looked at the weather for London for our dates and it's going to be warm. I think that dresses and shorts are goint to be the best bet and comfy shoes, as we will be walking around a lot. I need to leave a little space in my luggage in case I buy something, I want to go to Fortnum and Masons and I might need to get a few food treats.
Sounds lovely! I am hooked on jeans but bringing a very swishy dress (with pockets!) which I will wear on all of the very hot days! Safe travels! xx
I don’t like jeans in hot weather either. I went to New Orleans this spring and packed a pair of linen trousers. It actually ended up being cooler and rainy and I wore my leggings under the trousers. Bonus — the linen dries faster than jeans and other heavier materials. Have a great time in London!
Linen is a perfect summer fabric - I am a maniac who wears jeans year round but most people would probably prefer linen pants or shorts! xx
Love the 5-4-3-2-1 formula! Thanks.
So glad! x
Soooo good, thank you
My pleasure! This was a fun one to write! xx
Makes me want to travel-lightly 💛
Thank you for this terrific information, I am saving it for our next vacation. One question, I love your clothing choices such as the chambray shirt and white blouse, how do you keep them from getting super wrinkled in your suitcase?
If I'm traveling for work I bring a mini travel steamer or you can hang items in the bathroom and take a steam shower :)
Wonderful reminder. I am going for two weeks with a backpack and a small wheelie bag, leaving next week. I have to work as well, so I need my laptop to be able to give presentations.
And I'm going to bring gifts and some books for friends, so that is going to be my challenge, because it is even less space like that. To find something meaningful to give and the things I am taking with me for friends.
What I was thinking about that I can replace the space with things I actually need, and I find it much better to buy clothes abroad as a reminder of the nice times instead of silly souvenirs. Probably I'll buy a couple of toiletries on the spot as well. I don't know yet. I am trying to finalize the things I need to take for others and see how much space remains.
Thank you for the list. I already put my outfits together in my head. And I'm taking a skirt too!
Compression packing cubes are a game changer! I can fit most of my one-week wardrobe in one large cube which leaves room for bulky items like shoes, toiletry case, etc.in my suitcase. When bringing gifts I typically tuck them into my travel tote - after gifting to friends you'll have some bonus space on the way home for any souvenirs! xx
Great advice! I do a version of most of these things already but love your recommendations to upgrade the whole experience. It feels so good to be dialed in like this while traveling!
Happy to hear! xx
Just this past week I was thinking how I needed to search your posts for packing tips before an upcoming trip. What an absolute joy to find this in my inbox this morning! Thank you, Shira. Super helpful and I appreciate you sharing your curated less is more lifestyle with us.
Hugs, Robbyn
Oh yay! xx
Would love to know what you pack in toiletry bag
Yes! It's coming in the next post! xx
The link didn’t seem to work
My biggest challenge is packing toiletries. The travel capsules look interesting. Would you share what sizes generally work for you when taking a one to two week trip. Thanks!
Miranda July’s All Fours is a doozie. I gasped … loudly at one point. It’s intense and mind bending in an open your mind kind of way. And so very LA!
Love the 5 4 3 2 1 concept.