Dear Jill: I love to travel but hate to pack. It just overwhelms me! How can I do it and keep my sanity?
If vacations are a time to refresh, renew and regenerate … why, then, do we feel a dark cloud begin to loom over us weeks before we step foot on the airplane? Experience has taught me that there are ways of cutting corners and still feeling and looking confident when I’m on the road. With a few tips and techniques, the whole experience can be easier, faster, and even more enjoyable!
Research
Check the weather by calling ahead or checking www.weather.com. Are you dressing for fashion or function, or both? If it’s for fashion, focus from the top down: tops, jewelry, scarves, jackets. For function, start from the ground up: appropriate shoes, comfortable slacks or skirts, and the optimal weight outer wear. For a mix of the two (which for most of us will be the case), get the bottom half comfortable and the top half stylish.
Pre-Pack
You can begin a couple of weeks in advance. In a corner of your bedroom, lay out complete outfits, along with everything else you plan to take. As the days come closer, take a look at your collection and remove anything you think might be uncomfortable, unnecessary, or duplicated. Also, eliminate anything that will make you feel less than fabulous.
Check List
Make a complete list of your needs before, during and after the trip. The before list could be daunting! Let me help. For a free copy of my extensive list, contact me at jill@jillswanson.com. I’ll email the list to you and you can edit it according to your needs. As for the during, while on vacation keep a sheet of paper to list out things you wish you would have brought along. The after portion is the key to success: include everything you took and used, and keep the list handy for future trips.
Additional Tips:
- Limit yourself to 2-3 core colors (i.e.: tan, navy and yellow).
- Use light fabrics and layer clothing for warmth.
- Put all cosmetics into mini-containers (old hotel sample bottles work well).
- Use dual-purpose pieces: reversible skirts, zip-off pants, 2-sided belts.
- Shoes: one pair that match your skin tone and one pair of light weight walking shoes.
- A pashmina-style scarf in a neutral color will work as a blanket on the plane, a beach cover-up for daytime, or a shawl for evening wear.
To receive Jill’s new monthly tip “Got a Minute—Get Some Style” send an email to jill@jillswanson.com. Check out the YouTube clip of Jill’s new DVD “Simply Scarves—30 Fabulous Ways to Tie a Scarf!
Join Jill on Facebook.
