You know that moment when you’re all packed, but you don’t feel all packed? When your closet is still full of comfort items you might want with you, “just in case”?
This is the battleground for overpackers, particularly the ones who want the right look for the moment. It’s battleground for those of us who want to find ourselves in Modcloth’s “Groovy Mood Dress” when we happen to fall into a groovy mood. Isn’t that a huge part of being a fashionista? Letting each day provide the inspiration for the outfit that feels right. I, at least, am an emotional dresser. This is my battleground.
Here are some tips I’ve discovered, thanks to Judith Gilford’s Packing Book, which I found at Goodwill one day and instantly knew it could save me from packing everything, just in case.
Research the weather
Find the temperature range, expected precipitation, and humidity for the areas you’re traveling to. You may want to factor in wind as well. Based on your findings here, you will want to decide (1) how many layers you will need, and (2) the ideal types and weights of fabrics to bring. (The types of fabrics you choose should be suited for the laundry facilities at your disposal.)
Plan your activities
For each day you’ll be away, list your activities and the items you’ll need. An activity planner like the one I drew below will be helpful for you to visualize you time away and think in layers of clothing. There’s no need to pack things just in case if you already know how you’ll spend your time. Even if you don’t, some educated guesses based on company and location can still help you feel prepared while packing less.
Make your packing list
Take what you wrote down in your activity planner and turn it into a list. (Keep the list, so you can use it to repack your bag without leaving anything behind or as an inventory for insurance purposes.)
When you’re done, you can even dress yourself completely from your bag for each activity and make sure nothing is missing. I used to find this particularly helpful when packing for skiing and other activities that require a lot of specific gear. One of the few times I didn’t, I forgot my snow pants.
Photo Credit
Packed suitcase: AnnieAnniePancake via Flickr