Packing for Quick Trips

Friday, August 12, 2016


My 2016 has had some quick little trips, ranging from three to five days or even less. Quick trips are fun - they are trips, after all - but sometimes, I find that they're tricky to pack for, since while you know what you may be doing when you travel, it's not like you'll have the time to do laundry or even spend much time shopping if you have a tight schedule, like during a business trip.

So, what do you pack when you have a quick trip, and how do you do it?

Check the weather for the days you'll be traveling
It's become easier than ever to get an idea of what the weather at your destination will be like. Not only can you check weather forecast websites or apps, but you can also look to Pinterest and other blogs to get a local, recent, or frequent visitor's perspective on how the weather will be. Knowing the weather will prevent overpacking unnecessary items; for example, you don't want to pack a heavy jacket in a tropical climate.

Packing by outfit works, but sometimes, it helps to have extras of certain items.
It helps to pack by outfit if you want to worry less about deciding what to wear during your trip, and it can help keep you from packing for a fourteen-day trip when you're only going to be gone for three. But it's also not a bad idea to make sure you have replacement items not only for weather purposes, but in case a more formal event comes up (or if you need a Sunday dress/clothing for church), or if you happen to stay a few extra days. This is where making a list comes in handy.

Speaking of packing extras, pack extra items if you know there'll be rain, or if you'll be swimming, or anything else
You don't want to be caught without a change of clothes if you happen to get wet, or if you happen to spill something on yourself. This can apply if you're traveling somewhere with frequent rain, or someplace like the beach or an amusement park. Accidents happen, and it's better to be prepared with a few extra clothes than underpack.

You can re-wear certain items, and pack less of those items
Some items you can wait to wash again, like denim jeans and shorts. As such, you can pack less of them - or even pack one each - to save space.

Pack items that roll up easily
The items that roll up the tightest are usually light layers, like t-shirts and leggings. Also, dresses are the easiest to pack because they are a whole day's outfit in one piece of clothing.

Invest in packing cubes and a laundry bag
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: these are the BEST for keeping clothes in your suitcase as well as keep track of your clean and dirty clothing. Sometimes, organization can help keep you focused on your travel and your trip and keep you from being stressed over your luggage, especially when you're traveling for such a short amount of time. You can find packing cubes online...I found mine off Amazon, and the set came with a laundry bag of its own. Beyond packing cubes, it helps to put shoes and jewelry in bags as well, just so things stay clean and uncluttered.

How do you pack for a quick trip? Let me know in the comments! :)

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