Summer may be winding down but that doesn’t mean our vacation plans have to! If you’re ready to travel without the bulk, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn the best tips and pieces to pack light for your next getaway.
Create a must-have packing list
It’s easy to pack items that would be nice to have instead of necessary and that’s where the overpacking begins. Trust us, we’ve all been there! Instead of throwing items into your suitcase that you may wear or use, create a packing list of items that you will wear or use. This should include clothing, shoes, toiletries, beauty items, electronics/chargers, medications, and accessories. When creating your packing list, make sure to take into account all of the activities that you have planned for the trip. Will you be laying on the beach the whole time? Attending a fancy dinner? Going hiking or sightseeing? All of these activities will influence what you think is crucial to have in your suitcase! Once you pack up all of your must-haves, then you can add in your ‘nice to haves’ if there is extra room!
Focus on versatile clothing items
When packing clothing, it’s best to choose versatile garments that can be worn in multiple ways for different occasions. It’s also best to pack clothing made of lightweight fabric instead of bulky items depending on your destination of course. If you’re going somewhere cooler, dress in layers instead of one thick, chunky piece. This will free up space in your suitcase as well as offer you the option to layer up or down depending on the weather. Lastly, always wear your bulkiest items onto the plane or train instead of packing them. That means rock those sneakers and pack the sandals or flats. Wear your warm coat and pack your other layers. Whatever it takes to free up that much-needed space!
Not sure where to get started when it comes to choosing the right clothing items? We’ve got you covered! As we mentioned, the key is to pack pieces that can be worn multiple ways for different activities or occasions. You’ll also want to stick to colors and prints that can be mixed and matched together to expand your outfit possibilities! Our Looks We Love Page is a great place to get started. It takes the mystery out of creating multiple outfits out of a few great styles.
Comfortable leggings
If there’s one clothing item that can be worn on just about any trip and for most occasions, it’s a comfortable yet versatile pair of leggings! Our Criss Cross Denim Knit Leggings are the perfect style to dress up or down for day excursions, lunches, shopping trips, and even for your travel days! These leggings are made from eco-friendly organic cotton and recycled polyester blend to keep you comfortable yet stylish no matter what your plans are. And they’re not your average leggings! The fun crisscross ankle detail takes this playful basic up a notch. We love pairing the Criss Cross Denim Leggings with simple tops like a white tank top or a button-up shirt and fun accessories for an understated yet classic look. This style has been so popular we’ve made the Criss-Cross Leggings using our lightweight stretch Tencel® Ponte in black!
The button up shirt
Speaking of button-up shirts, they are versatile styles that can be worn many different ways in a variety of climates and our Legacy shirt is no exception. The blended organic cotton poplin will keep you cool in the heat and can also be layered with jackets or cardigans to keep warm if you’re heading to a colder destination! It can be dressed up or down and can even be worn open as a light jacket with a tee underneath. Try pairing it with our Criss Cross Leggings for the perfect shopping day look!
Must-have cardigan
Whether you’ll be heading to a tropical destination or bracing for the cold, a lightweight cardigan is a must-have! The Go-To Cardigan is a knitted masterpiece for all climates and features a stylish accordion stitch knit. It’s long enough to pair with leggings and looks great layered over tunics and tank tops. While this combed cotton cardigan will keep you warm, it’s not bulky so it won’t take up too much room in your luggage! It’s a total win-win and it remains wrinkle free which is a huge plus for travel.
Breezy tunic
When we think of versatile clothing pieces, our Tiburon Tunic Icon is the first item to pop into our mind! This best-selling garment fits and flatters most body shapes and sizes and can be worn so many different ways. You can wear the Tiburon Tunic Icon alone with leggings, trousers, or denim or layer it with cardigans and jackets to keep warm. You can also wear the Tiburon Tunic Icon as a cover-up for your beach or pool days! The Tiburon Tunic Icon comes in many different colors so you can choose to keep it neutral or go for a pop of color.
Indispensable knit
The Just My Style Top is the easiest top for all your outfit dilemmas. Just throw it on and pair with any bottom like our Criss Cross Leggings. From zoom calls to grocery runs. Jazz it up with a lightweight jacket or cardigan—you’ll be perfectly ready for just about anything.
Adaptable capris
If you’re traveling to a warm destination, you’re going to want to pack comfortable bottoms that can be worn to dinner or when you’re exploring the town. Our Second Nature Capris are made from organic cotton that is super stretchy and breathable and comes in classic black and white. The organic cotton denim knit version is available in dark denim and in a classic vintage wash. The cuteness factor is exemplified with a fun shirred side button hem detail and the comfortable full elastic waistband will keep you moving throughout any activities. We love pairing the Second Nature Capris with a printed top to keep it chic yet fun.
Walking sandals
Finding the right shoes is a must, especially if you’re planning on doing a lot of exploring during your trip! These BOBS Desert Kiss sandals from Skechers are the perfect option for light packing because they’re made from lightweight memory foam and be easily be worn onto the plane or packed away in your bag. They’re also the right combination of functional yet cute!
Invest in quality accessories
While accessorizing may not typically be on your list of high priorities, when it comes to packing light, it should be! Accessories can take your simple looks from basic to bold and offer functionality as well. This leather backpack from Cole Haan is the perfect carry-on bag. Not only does it serve as a functional backpack, but it can also be transformed into a fashionable long shoulder bag! Plus, the pebbled leather makes this bag super durable no matter where you decide to take it.
Last but not least
Headed to a sunny destination? Then you’re going to need a cute summer hat! The Wallaroo Hat Company is a travel-ready accessory that can be worn to the beach or out shopping. It also features an internal adjustable drawstring to create the perfect custom fit. We can’t forget about the sunglasses! Warby Parker’s Nancy sunglasses are made from sustainable cellulose acetate and look great on a variety of face shapes. They even have scratch-resistant lenses which make them perfect to throw in your bag and go!
While packing light may seem difficult to achieve at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to lugging heavy bags or having to check suitcases! Find more inspiration on our Looks We Love page and discover how to create your own minimalist wardrobe and still be on-point for any occasion.
The post Stella Suggests: How to Pack Light for a Trip appeared first on Stella Carakasi.