How To Pack – The Worst Part of Trip Preparation

How To Pack

Packing for a trip is a big, intimidating subject. It’s also very subjective. How to pack also varies widely from vacation to vacation. Regardless of where you’re going, one thing remains consistent . . . packing toiletries is a pain!

Since toiletries cause the most confusion let’s tackle it first.

How To Pack Toiletries

Start by getting a good set of traveling toiletry containers. I’d recommend you spend a little extra and buy well-made items you can use over and over.

I pack two separate toiletry bags, one for liquids and one for solids. While traveling I want my hair to look as normal as possible so I try to take as many of my regular hair products with me as I can.

This is what I bring, you can use this as a guide. Your personal situation will likely greatly differ.

How to Pack the Liquids Bag

For your liquids bag, I recommend you pick bottles with screw-on tops, instead of flip-top lids. I’ve found that flip-top lids occasionally leak and even pop open during travel. Screw-on lids guarantee you’ll have fewer messy accidents in your suitcase.

Remember to keep your travel bottles at three ounces or less, just in case something crazy happens and you can’t check your luggage. Click here to review the current TSA 3-1-1 Rule. 

What’s in the reusable bottles:

• Bigger squeeze bottles are used for shampoo and conditioner
• Small, round container for face lotion
• Small container for hair gel
• A small pump bottle for hairspray

From WalMart or Target I buy and include:

• Travel-size face scrub
• Toothpaste
• Hair mousse
• Mouthwash (I reuse the mouthwash container until it starts to leak)

Things I Usually Buy at My Destination

• A bigger hairspray, which I leave behind at my last hotel
• I’m a fan of Dove Spray antiperspirant and if it’s sold at my destination I’ll buy a bottle and use it for the week. Dove Spray is $7 in the United States and $2 anywhere outside
• Sunblock, if the sun is hot, I don’t want to get burned

How To Pack the Solids Bag

For my solids bag I carry:

• small bottle of powdered hair spray
• wet-dry hair brush
• pick
• multipurpose comb
• toothbrush
• floss
• solid deodorant
• q-tips
• a handful of ponytail holders
• a bar or two of small soap

A Note On Small Soap

Soap sizes are inconsistent outside of the United States and some hotel soaps are slivers and awkward to use. Most hotels in the US provide two bars of soap, get in the habit of bringing one home with you when you can.

Other Bathroom Stuff

I also carry a dual-voltage travel flat iron and blow dryer, both of which you should invest in if you plan to travel outside of the United States, Canada or Mexico.

A Note on Current Conversation

Even if you have a fabulous travel current converter, if your flat iron, curling iron or blow dryer doesn’t have a switch that allows you to change the voltage, and then if you forget to change the voltage, YOUR APPLIANCE WILL BLOW UP.  Almost everyone I know has learned this lesson the hard way. 

How do you know if your appliance has blown up?

You’ll be using it, you’ll start hearing a buzzing noise from the outlet, your appliance will make a puffing noise, you’ll see a bit of strange smelling white smoke and your appliance will no longer work. Ever. 

PLEASE DON’T DISREGARD THIS ADVICE. 

Sally’s Beauty Supply sells a GVP flat iron for about $30 and I’ve used mine all over the world with no problems. I know there are lots of travel flat iron choices, but this is the only one I can recommend without any hesitation.

I also have a cheap Conair blow dryer I take with me when I travel internationally that hasn’t blown up either.

Other Bathroom Appliance Ideas

Last time I was in Europe I bought both a European plug flat iron and blow dryer at a local Best Buy type of store. I love traveling through Europe with these because I don’t have to worry about accidental blow-ups, nor do I have to unplug my phone to use the converter to do my hair. I’ve also seen European plug appliances sold on Amazon.

Speaking of Current Converters . . .

Spend the money and get a good current converter. We carry so many techy gadgets around with us . . . watches, phones, tablets, laptops, curling irons, blow dryers, etc. Trust me, it’s better to spend a little money and get a current converter that won’t start your devices on fire.

How To Pack Clothes

I can pack for a 2-week trip in my flight attendant roller board. If it’s cooler weather and I need more layers I might also take a small duffel bag. (I fly standby so I DO NOT want to check my bag. If I miss the flight who knows if I’ll ever see my bag again!)

 Spring, summer and fall clothes take up way less room than winter clothes. I’ve never done a ski vacation so I have no idea what to suggest for that. 

Unless I’m 100% sure I’ll have access to the laundry facility here’s what I pack:

• Enough underwear for everyday, plus 2 extra

• Enough lightweight tops to have a clean shirt for every day

• One pair of pants or shorts for every 3 days

• Enough socks to change daily

• Three to four light weight tops for layering

• Two pairs of lightweight pajamas per week

• Swimming suit and cover up 

• Two pairs of leggings or stretchy pants (for the evening)

• Light jacket 

• Rain shell

• Coat/Gloves/Hat (in the winter only)

• Umbrella – the rain never stops my fun

• Sun Hat/Visor

• At least three pairs of shoes . . . absolutely no heels (don’t be ridiculous while you’re traveling).

Don’t Be Stupid About Your Shoes

Here are the shoes I pack for every trip:

• Tennis shoes (I prefer Under Armour)

• Slip-ons (I prefer Skechers)

• Canvas shoes like Toms or Bobs

• Cheap flip-flops always come in handy

If you’re doing a lot of walking your feet will need a break from wearing the same shoes day after day.

I swap between my Under Armour tennis shoes and these really horrific-looking black Skechers, which are the best shoes I’ve ever owned.

The Skechers are lightweight, have great traction that can go from sand to slick sidewalks to hiking. When wet they dry quickly and can be worn with or without socks. They’re so functional it’s easy to ignore they aren’t the cutest shoes in my closet.

Roll Your Clothes

I roll my clothes which I’ve found adds extra space in my suitcase.

I’ve tried the cubes and vacuum-sealed bags, I’m not a fan.

Side Note About the Middle East

If you’re traveling to the Middle East or any Muslim country, as a woman it’s disrespectful to show your knees or shoulders. This will require some extra thought into what to pack as the Middle East is also very hot.  

Dress to Fit In . . . Not to Impress

As you’re planning your vacation outfits, remember your goal is to fit in with the locals.

Dark-colored clothes and shoes always blend in.

White tennis shoes, obnoxious bright colors and lots of jewelry suggest you’re a rich American, even if you are not rich, nor American.

Be conservative and don’t give pickpockets and other do-badders a reason to target you. 

Follow My Lead on How To Pack

I can attest that dressing in dark clothes and comfortable shoes ensures you’ll blend in while traveling.

If you were to meet me in person you’d quickly agree that I’m 100% American in my looks, mannerisms, beliefs, speech and actions. Yet strangers have routinely stopped me in the streets of nearly every foreign city I’ve visited and started rattling away at me in languages I don’t understand.

When I start to laugh and say, “I’m sorry, I only speak English,” the person stops talking and looks absolutely shocked. And because I’m laughing they start laughing, surprised I’m not a local.

Also, dudes selling stuff on the side of the road will shout at me in multiple languages, not sure which language I speak because I don’t respond to anything they say.

When I travel my goal is to fit in and I think I do a pretty good job. Follow my lead and dress in dark colors with comfortable shoes. When a stranger starts jabbering at you in a foreign language, you’ll know you’re on the right path. 

A Terrible Example of How To Pack

We ran into a couple from Arizona once who had obviously bought all of their vacation clothes at REI.

They were dressed head-to-toe in Safari attire, which would have been great if we were in on safari. Or even in Africa.

However, we were on a Mediterranean cruise and they looked very out of place with their big Safari hats, hiking shoes and tan pants while running around rich Monaco. 

Remember, nothing says clueless, rich American like wandering around in outrageously inappropriate attire. Please take my advice and BLEND IN! Taking the time to pack the correct clothing will set you up for tourist success.

The Weather Matters

Pay attention to the weather. If it’s a million degrees outside, you’re gonna look kind of weird and you’ll attract the wrong kind of attention if you’re wearing hiking pants and hiking boots when everyone else is wearing t-shirts, tank tops, shorts and sneakers.

Likewise, if you’re half-dressed and it’s freezing outside, that also sends the wrong kind of message to do-badders searching for victims. Plus, why would you intentionally choose to be cold?

Be Smart When Packing

I encourage you to be smart about packing and your clothing choices. When packing, consider the weather and don’t pack clothing that will draw unwanted attention to yourself. Above all, TAKE COMFORTABLE SHOES!!!

Your trip will go much smoother if you follow this simple advice.

Thanks So Much for Stopping By!

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I’d love to hear about your travel experiences, good and bad. We’ll all be better travelers if we learn from one another. 

The Art of Travel (TAOT) ~ Written by Kylie, thanks to Alex for the awesome photos.