Mar 20, 2017

Stefanie London's Top Travel Packing Tips

By the time this blog post is live I'll be on my way back from a trip to Vermont, USA. I'm heading to a writer's weekend where there's going to be plotting, brainstorming and general writerly shenanigans. Since moving to Canada, I've started travelling a lot more as Toronto is a hell of a lot more central to things than Melbourne.

So, I thought it might be fun to share some of my top travel packing tips.

Tip #1 invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones
Yes, they're expensive. But plane engine noise gives me a shocking headache and I seem to be a magnet for screaming children on planes. Now I simply pop on my headphones and either watch a movie, play music or use a white noise (or rain sounds) app to block out the world and keep my headache at bay.

Tip #2 less is more
Since travelling more often, I've started to get a hang of this whole 'packing light' thing (which in my case, is more packing lighter than light, but I digress). This means I try to take carry-on luggage only, for shorter trips. One area where I'm strict is shoes: they're heavy, they take up a lot of space and it's not necessary to have four pairs of shoes for a long weekend. I try to wear my heaviest shoe (usually a boot, unless I'm travelling in summer) and then pack things like sneakers, flats and heels (if I even need a pair of heels. Blasphemy, I know) in my suitcase.

Tip #3 less is more (makeup edition)
Being a makeup lover, I used to travel with makeup for all occasions: multiple lipsticks, false eyelashes, different types of eyeshadow, foundations and powders. Then all the brushes required to apply those products. The list goes on. These days I look for products that can be used for all situations (like a nude lipstick that will go with any eye look) and aim for ones that don't require a blush for application (like a cream blush instead of a powder one).

Tip #4 use a colour palette
This is one of the best things I've started doing with my wardrobe in general, but it definitely applies to travel. Stick to a colour palette for your clothing by using 1-2 neutral base shades (e.g. black and grey) and then add 1-2 accent colours (e.g. light blue and yellow). That way, each item you bring will work with every other item in your suitcase and you won't get stuck on the last day of your trip with a top and a pair of pants that don't go together.

Tip #5 always pack a durable plastic bag or two
You never know when you'll need one. They work great for containing dirty laundry or for wrapping up shoes with dirty soles. They can act as a shopping bag for food items or gifts, or as a way to keep items separate in your suitcase. Then can even be used for extra carry-on space if you need it.

Tip #6 use your socks and shoes to protect delicate items
I'm one of those people who always travels with a bottle of perfume. I can't be without a pretty scent! If I'm packing my perfume into checked baggage, I encase it in a sock for protection against breakage. Then I add the second sock over it as another layer, and stuff the whole thing inside a shoe. This works great for delicate items like an souvenirs, as well. Just remember, if you're only taking carry-on luggage your perfume will need to be in a clear bag with all your other liquids!

That's it for today. I hope you found something useful in this post. What are your best packing tips? Leave them in the comments below.



25 comments:

  1. Stef, I like your packing tips. I can do this - sometimes! The worst is where I'm going on a trip for different purposes, for instance if I know I'll have to dress up for a few events but the rest of the time go casual, with does mean taking two types of clothes and shoes. I'm with you - reducing the number of shoes taken makes an enormous difference. I'm going on a big trip soon and will have to start thinking of what to take. Thanks for getting the process started!

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    1. I find conference especially tough for packing. You're right, there's lots of different types of events and that means more clothes! I try to only take one pair of heels if I can...but I can't always stick to that.

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  2. Thanks for your packing tips, Stef. I love packing light. Having travelled so much for work in my time, I'm pretty good at it now and continually challenge myself to be better.

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    1. And there's nothing better than breezing off the plane without having to wait for luggage, right!

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  3. I am thr Queen of packing light, Stef and only take a carry on bag even when going overseas because I HATE time wasted at baggage carousels. I am usually out throught customs by the time most people are picking up their bags!

    Shoes - definnitely! I try to only take th ones on my feet so no room in my bag is wasted. But if, as Annie says, I need to attend some functions, I will take one other pair. But the room they take up annoys me. If I do take then thugh I , yes, use them to pack things into.

    I hardly take any toiletires - buy toothpaste, shampoo etc when I get there then leave whatevers left behind. I only take deodorant and a toothbrush and perfume but all of that fits in my handbag and no worries about breakage! I dont take a hairdryer etc - I rarely dry my hair anyway and if so I can make use of the hotel hairdrer. Yes, they're not as good. But I can put up with that for a couple of weeks. My make up is minimal anyway. A go with everything lipstick, my foundation, one small palette of eye shadow with a few different colours, eye pencil and mascara - fits in a small bag.

    I take clothes that can be dressed up or down. A fw diffeent bottoms with tops that can be mix and matched and if there's functions then a dress, maybe 2 but ones that can be scrunched in a ball and dont require ironion at the other end. Alos roll clothes instread of packing them flat I've found gives me much more room!

    I can go on....but I'll stop now :)

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    1. And this from my treadmill so excuse the typos!

      Should have said I dont take any clothes that need ironing. What am I saying, I dont own any clothes that require ironing......

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    2. Having clothes that can be dressed up or down is a godsend! That's why I love black dresses - put them with flat sandals and they're comfortable breezy, but they look equally great with a pair of heels for night time. I totally agree, waiting for luggage is the worst!

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  4. Excellent tips, Stef! I have to admit I often find shoes the trickiest issue. And they can be so heavy! And it's a strange but true fact that I seem to pack more for the RWAust conference than I do for a month in Europe! Go figure. ;-)

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    1. Conference packing is particularly hard because there's so many 'events' within the one trip. I try to coordinate my outfits so I can do with a single pair of heels for all the nighttime functions, which saves so much space.

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  5. Hi Stefanie

    Great tips and I will be using them very soon as we are cruising in 3 weeks although luggage isn't a problem on a cruise ship which is good but I still tend to take way more than I really need we are on a 10 night cruise and there will be a couple of formal nights there is a white party night and a Gatsby themed night as well so I need to get my thinking cap on although they do tend to sell a few bits and pieces that you can use, thanks for all of the tips I plan on using them sorry I have no tips that will help :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Ooh you lucky thing! That cruise sounds like it will be so much fun. It's tough to pack light when there are theme nights involves, but luckily you will have the extra space on the ship :)

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  6. Great tips, Stefanie. When we're travelling for weeks at a time I also try to pack mostly easily washed and dried clothes. And who cares if I wear the same outfit often, no one knows me.

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    1. Yep, no fussy fabrics or stuff that crinkles too easily! I've found rolling my clothes instead of folding can help eliminate wrinkles too.

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  7. Having just returned from a trip I have to say it's important to travel light- just so you can fit all the lovely things you buy when away!!! LOL...we had to buy an extra suitcase to bring back things from Adelaide!
    Seriously, your tips are timely and useful. I always struggle with the shoe thing..one day I'll find the perfect pair for every occasion.
    I have started doing the capsule/signature colour thing and it works really well. I just have to try not to be attracted to all the lovely patterned things and stick to neutrals...remembering that accessories can jazz up anything!

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    1. Sounds like we have a similar style, Louisa! I wear lots of neutrals (so much black...but apparently that's a Melbourne thing!) and then add a pretty necklace or colourful scarf. Also means all the pieces in the wardrobe go together more easily, which makes mornings less painful lol

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  8. Love this post, Stef, and your and AA's tips for packing light. Every trip I TRY not to over-pack -- mostly I fail. Or I pack light going and have to buy a bigger suitcase to bring home my extra purchases! But I'm training myself to cut down on toiletries and shoes which can take up too much space. Like Louisa I'm still trying to find the one perfect shoe that goes with everything!

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    1. If you guys find the one perfect shoe, let me know!! lol I have a pair of nude patent pumps with a fairly simple shape that are my current go-to pair but they're not the most comfy. I'm still on the hunt too :)

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  9. I don't have any tips... I'm still learning to balance packing light with my instinct to want to cover any eventuality, plus having to carry pain meds takes space that I'd rather not use, but for my sake use anyway.
    I'm just observing and learning from the blog post and everyone's comments.
    A comment at work may have revealed I probably do the colour thing by accident - there's a heavy presence of pink in my wardrobe, even for work. I asked a question while we were planning St Patrick's Day stuff last week of why I fail at buying green clothes every single year despite making a note to do so, and was told to just wear my 'signature pink'

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    1. Nothing wrong with having a signature! I wear a lot of black and then tend to add either blue or green with it. I guess we all gravitate to the colours that make us feel our best :)

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  10. Hi Stefanie,
    I used to be a shocking packer for travelling. I would pack too much and hardly wear what I took because I would buy stuff along the way. I always leave room now for shopping and I make sure my clothes mix and match.
    I read somewhere that overpacking is a sign of an anxious personality. We don't want to turn up unprepared. That's me, for sure. Ha ha.

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    1. I can totally see that! I definitely used to be the same way, until I went somewhere and forgot a few things. Since I mostly travel to other cities anything can be replaced, I've discovered. Not that I like to buy stuff just for the sake of it, but it helps to ease the worry :)

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  11. Awesome tips!!!
    As someone who just came home from a weekend away myself this was my 'lightest' pack ever. So easy to function with less, and easy to unpack at the other end!

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    1. And it's so much easier to carry around a light bag instead of lugging a heavy suitcase! Hope your trip was fun :)

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  12. Thanks for the great tips! I'm planning a trip to Japan with my son for later this year and am worried about what/how to pack. He went to Hong Kong last year for a week with just a carry on and suggests the same for this trip. Eek!

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    1. Oh Japan, you lucky thing!! It's been on my 'to travel' list for a long time. You'll have an amazing time, I'm sure :)

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