How to Pack for Your Weekend Trip

"One never realizes how different a husband and wife can be until they begin to pack for a trip." Erma Bomberk

After many years "on the road", if there is something I've gotten good at is packing.  As an expat, I have packed countless times for many different situations, but here I'm going to talk about the fun kind of packing, packing for a weekend trip.

Depending on your destination and the season, you'll have to make some wardrobe adjustments, but the following rules apply to all kinds of situations:

 

1. Make sure everything matches! If you are packing two pair of pants and 4 tops, make sure the pants will go with any of the tops, so you can mix and match almost limitlessly.

2. Pick a base color (black or brown) and stick with it.  If you like to color coordinate, picking a base color will save you on having to pack both a black and a brown belt, black and brown shoes, a black purse and.....you get the idea.  I normally choose black but I can go for skin tones during the warmer weather.

3. Unless you are going to a super informal destination, always pack a nice dress, you never know when you're going to need it.

4. Make sure you choose very comfortable outfits.  Nowadays, with ballerinas and cute sandals, you can look charming and be comfortable at the same time.  Remember that you most likely will do a lot of walking.

5. Pack your accessories!  Depending on how you use them, you can change the look of an outfit by simply adding a statement necklace and changing your shoes.  Think a black t-shirt and jeans for the day; adding a jacket, a scarf and heals, and you're ready for the night!

6. Prefer wrinkle-free materials.  Silk and jersey items don't take any space in the suitcase and don't wrinkle as much as other natural materials.

7. Pack you belts open, bordering the perimeter of the suitcase.

8. Fill your shoes with small items like socks or sun glasses in their cases, that way the shoes will not loose their form and you'll be utilizing all of your precious space.

9. If you are traveling by plane and checking in your suitcase, and your suitcase does not arrive at your destination, what will you need the most? (an extra t-shirt, underwear, make sure to include them in your carry-on)

10.  If you are traveling with infants or young kids, carry with you an extra outfit for the kids and one for yourself.  I can't tell you how many times I had to pull the extra shirt out of the carry-on when I traveled with my (motion-sickness-prone) little ones.

But most of all, enjoy your trip!!