Packing Tips | The Conscious Snob

Posts Tagged ‘ packing tips ’

How to Under-Pack for a Vacation

Oct 2nd, 2008 | By Travel Snob | Category: Better Travel

Rating 4.00 out of 5

packlight4 How to Under-Pack for a Vacation We all admit that we have overpacked a few times for vacation. Who needs five dresses for a three day trip? Apparently, we did. Sometimes all you need for a short getaway is a carry-on an a great handbag. Forget checking in large suitcases and wasting time waiting in the luggage pick-up carousel. Use some of these tips to help you reduce what you need to bring and have a fabulous trip!

Clothing
Choose appropriate clothes by checking the weather of your destination. Also, stick to clothes that all match so you can mix different outfits with what you have packed. Also, your clothes can be used in multiple ways; your sarong can double as a casual skirt in the evening, a fun blouse can be worn over a dress as a light jacket, and a great scarf can also be a beautiful blanket while on the plane. Layering is key. Pack thin layers where you can pile them on when it’s chilly, and take off a few during warmer times. Limit your shoes to three pairs: comfortable walking shoes to wear while in flight, flip flops, and fab evening shoes in your carry-on. Try to pack a few days before, and just before you leave, go through them again and eliminate a quarter of what you already packed. Trust me, you will have enough.

Toiletries
We know there are strict regulations now regarding what you can or cannot pack in flight. Remember this: three ounce bottles in a one-quart clear plastic bag. There are amazing items that you can pack in small quantities. Whenever I purchase beauty products, I always ask the sales associate for samples that I end up taking with me in flight. Facial cleansers, eye cream, even facial masks come in great one-time use packages for easy disposing. Usually the hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Even liquid soap can be used as shampoo. Unless you have a strict regimen, using their products are a great way to reduce what you pack.

Electronics
You may not necessarily need to lug your laptop, so keep that at home. Your cell phone can be your alarm.

Avoid
Don’t pack those items that are “just in case.” You can easily purchase those items from wherever you are. Take only a few jewelry pieces, and nothing too valuable. Stick with fun items that are easy to maintain and put on to avoid having to worry about it while traveling. You are supposed to be having fun, not protecting your Tahitian strand of pearls.

What are your tips for packing light?

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Travel Tips: 7 Days With Just a Carry-On

Sep 17th, 2008 | By Travel Snob | Category: Better Travel

Rating 3.00 out of 5

7 Days with Just a Carry-On If you don’t want to fork up an extra $15-$25 or wait in a long line for your checked luggage at the baggage claim — the solution is to pack so that you don’t have to check in anything. Here are useful strategies for packing 7 days worth of clothes into just one carry-on.

(1) Maximize the size of your carry-on. Luggage restrictions generally allow carry-on’s to be 22″ in height with slightly varying heights and depths. From my experience, however, the height is usually what matters most and as long as you don’t expand your carry-on suitcase, you’re good to go. Be sure to buy a sturdy carry-on that can stand upright, and that has wheels. Forget the duffle bags unless you enjoy lugging around 40 lbs on your shoulder.

(2) Bring only what you really need. Think about what you’ll be doing in the 7 days and what type of shoes/clothes you’ll need. Here’s a list of what I usually bring on a non-winter, week-long trip:

7 pairs of underwear (there’s no skimping on this!)
3 regular bras, 1 strapless
1 bikini swimming suit, with a bikini top that can be worn as a bra if necessary
2 tanks tops with built-in support
1 casual tee-shirt
1 casual polo shirt
1 nice top that can be worn in the daytime or for an evening out
2 jersey convertible dresses from American Apparel
1 pair of jeans
1 skirt
1 pair of thin sweats
2 sets of thin sleep wear (the blankets will keep you warm at night!)
1 casual black blazer/jacket that can be worn in the daytime or evening
1 pair of flip-flops
1 pair of heels

Now you’re probably wondering how I fit all of this into my luggage. Simple. I wear all the bulkier items on the two days that I’m traveling. That means I’m wearing my jeans, my heels, my jacket and a shirt during the plane ride. Not only does eliminating these items from your luggage free up a lot of room, it’ll also keep you warm during the chilly plane ride.

As for the rest of the items, I make sure I roll all of my clothing before neatly placing them into the carry-on. My boyfriend says that it’s not necessary, but I’m a firm believer that it helps — besides, I always end up carrying some of his stuff in my carry-on…so it must be working!

If you’ve done the math, you’ll realize that I put double use to my jeans and the probably the convertible dresses. Unless you’re going to a high-profile event — chances are people won’t notice you’re wearing your jeans again, and those convertible dresses can be turned into skirts, halters and tube dresses to fit your varying mood and needs!

(3) Make your liquids and laptop easily accessible. Be sure to reduce your shampoo, makeup and other liquids to travel-size jars. Generally, each container must not exceed three ounces, but exceptions are made for medications and contact solutions. Check the TSA website to see the specifics. Place all of your liquids into a 1-quart size, clear zip-lock bag and put this in an easy to access location, whether that means in your handbag or the front pouch of your carry-on. This is a good time to think about the size of the handbag that you’re bringing on the trip. I generally bring one that can fit both my laptop and zip-lock bag to speed things along during the security line. Once I’ve past the security line, I’ll then unload the laptop and zip-lock into my carry-on if there’s room. If I know I’ll be attending an even that will require a smaller purse, I’ll usually slip a small clutch into the carry-on or just carry it in my shoulder bag.

Happy traveling!

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Samsonite Graviton 31in. Spinner Upright

Diane von Furstenberg Shanghai 20in. Expandable Rolling Carry-On

Diane von Furstenberg Shanghai 20in. Wheeled City Bag

Samsonite Vintage Collection Wheeled Duffel

Andrew Philips Leather Goods Vaqueta Getaway Bag