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What does packing and cleaning out your closet have to do with travel? Everything! Find out why and how it’s the one packing tip that can make all the difference to your travel capsule wardrobe!
Don’t Wear or Use It at Home? Don’t Pack It!
by Josie Reim
Packing for a trip can be extremely daunting. In fact, it’s easy to fall into a trap of choosing “travel clothing” that you think is appropriate but would never actually wear at home.
Do not let this happen to you.
Now is the perfect time to do a thorough “spring cleaning” of your closet to rejuvenate your home and refine your travel wardrobe, too. After all, if you already own it…then chances are you like it. Here are a few tips to help you go through your closet to find the right pieces for your next trip.
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Look for items you love to wear
The purpose of this website is to help you stop overpacking. Sometimes, however, you need or want to bring something on a trip that’s not completely practical for travel, and that’s totally okay. As long as the majority of items you pack make sense for your trip, don’t feel guilty about packing that one special thing that’s not perfect for travel.
Packing things you absolutely love is encouraged!
It could be a gorgeous winter coat that looks great on you or a soft cashmere sweater you take on every flight. Perhaps it’s your favorite biker boots or the leather jacket you just can’t leave behind. If you feel good wearing it, chances are higher that you’ll use it on your trip.
Just make sure you’ll be able to wear it and you’re not taking cute high heels on a trip that focuses on outdoor adventure.
Learn more about why you should love what you pack!
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Always choose things that make you feel good
Many of us own a stockpile of clothing that we don’t wear, but keep. Keep track of the items you use the most, especially the things you wear when you’re relaxing. If you have a dress that makes you feel confident, bring it!
Your vacation will be more memorable if you’re wearing something that makes you feel like a million bucks! If you have extra time, go through your clothing and get rid of anything that no longer fits, is worn out, or simply fails to make you happy.
This will help highlight those things that do make you feel good and encourage you to pack styles relevant to you, not what you imagine you “should” look like on a trip.
Guilty of clothes hoarding? This master class is meant to help you minimize your clutter and maximize your style!
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What can you use for multiple purposes?
Anytime you decide to add anything to your travel wardrobe, think about whether you can use it beyond your day-to-day routine. Cute workout clothing is great for traveling because of its quick-drying properties.
When you have a chance to shop, you can assess whether something makes you feel good before you buy it. Utility is important but you have to find your balance. Ditch the cargo pants if they’re not your thing and invest your money in something that you can wear on your trip and at home.
Find out why we think these are the best travel pants for women!
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Use Technology
Travel Fashion Girl Essentials Packing List made on Polyvore
Smartphone apps are a great way to figure out your style based on the wardrobe you already have and what you want to buy. Although some of them require a bit of time uploading photos of clothing, it comes in handy when you’re trying to figure out what you want to pack.
Polyvore is a great tool to help you create a packing list and see how various items will look together before you buy them.
Have you ever made the mistake of not traveling with clothes that were “you”? Share and comment!
For more packing tips, please read:
- Plus Size Packing Tips: How to Rock a Carry-on Wardrobe
- Packing Clothes for Travel: How to Organize Like a Pro
- How to Pack in One Bag for Any Trip
- The Ultimate Travel Shoe Guide
Hope you liked this post on packing. Please share with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
Author Bio: Josie Reim has been traveling the world with a carry-on since 1995 and has visited 18 countries. She loves immersing herself in the local culture, including learning the language and seeking out local wildlife. Packing is a way of life for Josie as she and her husband move their home around the United States often.
I have this problem where I pack things I rarely wear for a trip because I want to be able to get use out of those things. But it never works. So number one really applies to me,
Hi Deeva 🙂 I’m glad the article has helped! If you’re still not wearing those clothes then try to pick the items you already love!
I’ve definitely fallen into some of these traps! Sometimes I also feel a sort of sentimental pressure to pack particular items, for instance something that was a gift, or a recent on-trend purchase. It ends up going something like this: “I should pack that necklace that aunt Mary bought me/that new trendy jacket…although it doesn’t go with this top, so I’d better pack that top too. Although that top doesn’t go with these jeans, so I’d better pack that skirt too…” It’s a vicious cycle of over-packing! So now I try to focus on being practical and realistic rather than perfect!
It’s so easy to fall into those traps Zoe 🙂 Glad you’re being more practical now. Congrats!