My Go-to Packing Tips

I’ve never been the most efficient packer and was always the girl that packed ten belts and ten pairs of shoes just in case. After a few years of traveling as adult under my belt, it’s safe to say I’ve finally started to hone in on my packing skills.

Check out a few of my tips below that have helped me stay sane, organized and under the 50 pound weight limit!

1. Identify the necessities. This one sorta seems like an obvious one but we all know how unrealistic it can be at times. For example, for our trip to Cartagena last year, I knew we’d be spending the majority of our time walking around the Old City or basking on the beach. So ideally, pairs of heels and bodycon dresses were not really on the top of my list. Sure, I’ll pack one to two options just in case plans but I’ll plan on sticking to the items I know will get the most use (i.e. a pair of two of sandals, neutral wedges or heels, a hat, denim shorts)
2. And speaking of basics, when packing for a longer stay in a smaller bag, it’s crucial to pack items that are versatile and can work with different items to create as many looks as possible. This includes those above mentioned denim  pieces (guilty of packing 2-3 pairs of jeans or shorts always), a few easy dresses that can be dressed down or dressed up, simple tees + blouses that can be worn with shorts or jeans or even as an easy pool coverup, and lastly, neutral accessories (think bags, belts, shoes) that can go with everything. I usually stick to a tan, black and white color palette so I can mix + match.
3. If you are going to over-do it, pick something that makes sense. When we went to Spain, I knew I would be spending the majority of my time in a bikini because…well summer in Ibiza is no joke. If there is one thing that I overpacked, it was pretty much everything I could find in the swimwear department. I love options – but you gotta be smart. If you know you’ll be doing lots of fancy dinners, pack extra heels or a few extra dresses. If you know hiking or exploring is involved, maybe pack an extra pair of shorts or Nike’s.
4. Now for the packing trick that has literally saved me from overpriced checked bags and overstuffing. Roll. Your. Clothes. While this might not work for everything (larger pieces or pieces you don’t want to wrinkle by balling up), rolling your lighter or smaller pieces is going to be a game changer. I usually do this with items like t shirts, tank tops, jeans and shorts, and anything chiffon or airy like maxi dresses and coverups. Roll them up tightly and layer them in your bag. This while save a ton of space and also keeps things somewhat organized.
5. Get a steamer. Because when you roll the above mentioned pieces, you’ll need a quick & easy way to get the kinks out. I don’t go anywhere without my mini steamer and even have one for my house. I usually leave my travel on in my suitcase so I don’t forget it.
6. Plan your outfits and take photos to stay organized. This was something I started doing out of pure necessity.I would pack all of these cute clothes and then when I got to the destination, I couldn’t remember what I wanted to go with what and I would end up wearing a tee shirt and jeans. So stupid. Now, I plan out my outfits ahead of time so I can not only stay organized but I can also try to pick pieces that go with multiple looks. I then snap a quick mirror selfie of said outfit and keep it in my phone so I can easily pick out my look when we’re traveling. This has been a serious timesaver. Try it ladies!