Vacation Fashions

Summer is not only my favorite season, it is also the biggest travel season of the year. With schools closed and beach destinations beckoning, people are preparing for long planned travels and last-minute getaways alike.  What to bring is, no doubt on the minds of soon-to-be travelers. Though it is easy to toss items into a bag, it is wiser to be a bit more planful.  

Baggage fees can add up quickly. Packing artfully can mean real savings when suitcases go on the scale. Packing is certainly not a scientific happening, but there is an art to making the most of space available to ensure the best fashion options for your vacation days. Read on for some tips on how to look and feel your best when living out of a suitcase.

To begin, lay out what you intend to wear on vacation. This will keep you from mentally allocating the same piece to multiple outfits. It will also allow you to see which shoes work with several ensembles. Shoes weigh the most, so choose pairs that multi-task. Now that you’ve laid out everything you need, let’s get them properly packed.

Don’t you hate rumpled clothes when you unpack? Try this method to reduce wrinkles: Lay out items that cannot be folded onto the bottom (button down shirts and jackets, etc.). Allow sleeves to drape over the sides. Dresses, shirts and slacks go in waist first with the legs/shirttails draped over the side. Now place clothes you can fold into the suitcase – tops, shorts, underwear, swimwear, lingerie, etc. Next flip items draped over the sides up and over the center piles so they rest on top. In doing so, you will eliminate most of the travel-caused wrinkles. And… everything is held in place, even with jostling your suitcase about. I once saw a travel agent give a demonstration and decided to give this method a try. I was shocked at how well it worked and have packed this way ever since.

As far as what to pack: pack for comfort, the weather and what your activities include. You will likely want to do a little pre-vacation shopping. Try one of this season’s trend report favorites. Consider a shoulder cut-out blouse or a soft, billowy (think white or buttery yellow and gauzy) dress. Items from your favorite line’s traveler collection – clothes less inclined to wrinkle, offered in basic, neutral colors, and wearable in a multitude of ways – are a great choice. They’re sure to work with a great deal in your closet when you return from your trip. A new pair of strappy sandals or a beachy tote will add pop to an old favorite.  From your wardrobe, choose items in a common color pallet to limit what you need in accessories and cosmetics. Soft colors and fabrics with a touch of glitz will keep you cool and looking like a million bucks.

Wherever you land, pack for a wonderful time. Safe travels!