Packing tip – the ONLY one you need!

It doesn’t take much researching or daydreaming about travel before the topic turns to packing.

What to pack, how to pack, what to pack things in, what NOT to pack, should you roll clothes or fold clothes, Ziploc baggie vs packing cube, Backpack vs suitcase, big suitcase vs carry-on and on and on and on.  There are tips on how to keep jewelry organized and how to keep clothes from wrinkling.

With so many tips. How do you know what you really should focus on? It can be overwhelming for sure.

With SOO much packing and organizing…what is the REAL take away?  What is the most important, one-stop shopping piece of advice – the very best packing tip EVER?

Drum roll, please…..

The best packing tip EVER? Pack light.

The only ‘tip’ you really need is to pack light. It isn’t clever, I know, but it is the best advice. No one ever brags, “Every year I pack heavier!”

Yoda agrees-

“Teach you to pack light I will”

How light is packing light?

Our trips – no matter the length, include 3 outfits per person – and that includes the one you are wearing.

The Packing Light Packing list:

3 pants (2 in a suitcase – wearing one)

3 tops (2 in a suitcase – wearing one)

2 shoes (1 in a suitcase – wearing one)

jacket (check the weather – if it is warm then leave this at home)

poncho (cheap thin ones are best)

Pjs

undies (5 pairs PLUS the one they are wearing)

socks (5 pairs PLUS the  pair they are wearing)

swimsuit (check to see if the pool is open, heated, and available….these are very unusual in Europe – if not leave this at home!)

Hairbrush/toothbrush

hat (Read how to choose the perfect travel hat for your face shape.)

**********Extras like toys/lovies, etc go in the child’s carry-on…NOT the family suitcase*******

There you have it. The BEST packing tip EVER!

What about HOW to pack?

Should you roll your clothes or should you fold them?

Who cares? When you are talking about 2 outfits…it doesn’t really matter. When you pack just a few things the ‘how to’ of rolling or folding doesn’t matter. Spend your time thinking about something else!

I do put undies and socks in a giant Ziploc baggie (No, I don’t own stock in Ziploc, but maybe I should! Love them!) because those things are small and seem to float around the suitcase.

As a matter of fact, there are LOTS of reasons to use Ziploc baggies when you pack!

Does that not seem like enough clothing for your long vacation?

But, you say….I’ll be gone for 10 days/2 weeks? That isn’t enough clothes to get us through! No, it isn’t.

You are going to have to wash clothes

or have someone wash clothes for you.

It doesn’t have to be hard or difficult to deal with clothes washing on vacations. I’m an expert! For proof see my post on laundry:

 Washing Clothes on Vacation Can be Easy and Painless

Swishing a few things around in the sink at the end of the travel day is really no big deal. It never takes more than a few minutes. I do it while everyone unwinds and chats about the day. Easy peezy!

So when in Rome, do as the Romans! Or Morocco… Wash and hang your things to dry like the locals!

How can I look amazing with just a few outfits?

Afraid you can’t pack light and still look like a million bucks? But you CAN! You don’t need a zillion outfits to look amazing. Instead, you just a need 3 amazing outfits and wear them over and over again.

For those of you that care about being seen in the same outfit over and over again, remember that on your vacation you won’t even see the same people every day. You will be moving around and your outfit will be new to them. If you care. I suggest not caring about this!

Feel great in your outfit and wear it again and again. Be confident. Wear your clothes and don’t let them wear you!

Read “How to Pack Light and Still Look Fabulous” 

Do you have a favorite packing tip?? I’d love to hear from you! Leave YOUR favorite packing tip in the comments below.

Happy travels,

Natalie, The Educational Tourist