Thoughts on Packing

This is my (rather long) version of a packing list for a slightly fashionable, normal girl.
Click on if you wanna read more!

However, you should note that this list will not serve everybody for every vacation. It is simply a place to get started, and the person who reads it can add or take away items as required. I recommend taking no more than three colours of clothing for ease in both matching and laundry, as well as making sure that EVERYTHING fits into your suitcase, with room, even what you’re planning on wearing on the plane. This will ensure room for gifts, memorobilia and other items that you pick up throughout your travels.

Note: unlike many travel websites, I do not endorse taking along almost worn out clothing that you can throw out or donate to charity along the way. I think that this is both disrespectful and gross. When you travel, you should dress as nicely as possible in the circumstances to show respect to the civilians of the place you are visiting. Besides that, do you really want to look at pictures twenty years from now and see yourself wearing a faded, ripped shirt with yellow sweatstains? What you wear reflects directly on you and your travel partners.

1. A Carryon Bag

First things first, you need a bag. I prefer carryon mainly because it leads to alot less pain-in-the-assage. Think about it: you never have to worry about the losing your luggage. You can rest your bag on your lap in a crowded train or bus and never have to worry about damaging your bone structure. You can actually lift your bag. If you get cold on a flight, you can get out a sweater, without pulling a James Bond-esque escape. There are so many reasons to limit yourself to a carryon, all of which I realized after a relatively harrowing experience involving my sister, me, two fifty pound suitcases, and an underground station that was roughly five stories below the earth, and accessible only by stairs. It was painful. Therefore, despite the USA’s new rules against bringing anything that could potentially give anyone a bruise (Yes officer, I do plan to use my plastic spoon to storm into the pilot’s cabin, then asphyxiate him with a peanut butter sandwich while I use my magazine to paper cut his throat.), I am still a firm supporter of the carryon. It is a beautiful thing, and I guarantee that you will thank the gods if you try it. Really.

2. Shoes.

Forget underwear, shoes are the most important part of your travelling wardrobe, because when your feet hurt, life’s a bitch. I recommend three pairs- anything more is just weighing you down. However, people who say that you can travel for any length of time with one pair of shoes is a LIAR. Who probably has athletes foot. If one shoe starts rubbing you the wrong way, being able to switch to another pair is a godsend. Just ask the girl who tried that and ended up roaming the streets of New York in a pair of slippers with feet covered in blisters (ie. Me).

The first pair has to be a pair of walking shoes- something that you can stand in for 8 hours or walk for 5 kilometres without crying. I prefer NOT white gym shoes, as then you like you are perpetually about to break into a jog. Some sort of “city sneaker” or “hiking shoe cum ballet flat” are preferable.  My choice is a pair of white low top converse- classic, comfy and look good with dresses or pants.

For the second pair of shoes, some sort of flip flop or lightweight sandal is a good idea. These are key for hostels so you don’t contract a fungus or feel the desire to bleach your feet after trotting around the common room. They also offer the chance for travelling fashionistas to pack something that is actually cute and functional, as these come in many styles. (Watch out for leather, though, as leather + water = chapping + PAIN)

The third pair is essentially your call. Or not, if you’re good with two pairs. Depending on the trip, these could be boots, heels, or another pair of sandals. Just make sure that they are comfortable and don’t have a thicker sole and heel- cobblestones hurt feet and grab onto heels.

3. A Piece of Comfort Clothing

A piece of clothing that you can snuggle into is invaluable whenever you are cold, homesick, tired, H1N1-ey or some combination of the above. However, note that I said ONE PIECE. Not your entire sweatsuit collection. Or really any piece of clothing involving the word sweat. Like ew.  Also, try to avoid taking anything too bulky. That cheetah print Snuggie is probably not going to fit into your suitcase.  (On the bright side, footie pajamas probably will!)

4. Underwear

Girls have it easier than guys here, because our underwear is smaller. Hopefully. We can also use our swimsuits as an extra set if necessary. However, because of the small size, I’d say somewhere between 5 and 7 pairs is a good number, and with nightly sink washings, can stretch to about two weeks before a laundry day. I recommend the lacey ones, cause they dry super fast and are really the most lightweight and packable. For bras- no more than two, with one of those in a colour that matches your skin (it won’t show beneath any shirt- white bras will give you a boob-in-headlights look)

5. Bathingsuit

A bathingsuit is always handy. You will always need one when you think you don’t. And, as stated above, it also works as emergency clothing- underwear if you own a bikini, or as a tank top if you own the tankini /swimteam variety. Don’t take more than one bathing suit, unless you’re going on a swimming specific holiday. That space could be better used for all the fabulous shopping you plan to do when you get wherever you’re going

6. Socks

Keep your feet from smelling and getting blisters. 3-5 pairs. Stripes, polka dots and small animals are kind of awesome. Nuff said.

7. Jacket

Something that is warm-ish, water repellent-ish and wind proof-ish is the best. The specifics depend on where you’re going. An stylish anorak or trench coat will allow you to walk around in your pajamas while still looking like you actually put some effort into looking good. No, really. They’re magical.

8. A Cardigan

A medium weight cardigan is one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your regular wardrobe, let alone your travelling one. Black, navy, beige or grey hide most stains; Cashmere, cotton-blend or acrylic will hold up the best. It’s one of those pieces of clothing that will make you look incredibly chic with no effort, while still keeping you warm.

9. Jeans

I will admit it- I am a denim girl. I worship jeans. Live in my Levis. They’re the most comfortable thing since sliced bread. However, they are also one of the least practical things you can take travelling. They weigh a ton, take up half the room in your suitcase and need several days to dry after washing. Limit yourself to one dark wash pair (less stains show), and spot wash until you have time to let them dry.

10. Dresses

Another favourite of mine! They make it super easy to pick out an outfit, and take up minimal amounts of space (depending on the fabric). Jersey (thats the stuff that tshirts are made out of) dresses are the easiest to pack, due to their non wrinkling abilities. A plain black jersey dress looks nice during the day or as evening wear. It also works as a coverup on the beach, or when you’ve just had a shower and have to dash back to your suitcase cause your forgot to bring your underwear into the bathroom.

11. Tanktops

Take no more than three in basic colours. Use them for layering; wear them by themselves.

12. T-shirts

Take at least one longsleeve, at least one shortsleeve. No more than four  in total, though. However, have fun with the colours and designs- no need to worry about matching these babies

13. Assorted other Bottomwear

Skirts, capris, shorts etc- No more than two  unless you’re not taking any jeans or dresses. Try to stick with neutral colors, dark ones will show stains less.

14. Scarves

Scarves are a beautiful, versatile thing, my friend. They spice up your outfit, keep your neck warm and can serve as an emergency napkin, blanket, headscarf or tourniquet.

15. Jewellery

Don’t take anything you don’t want to lose. You will lose it. And you will be sad. Watches are handy, but less necessary because of the cell phone revolution. Costume jewellery is nice because it allows you to feel like you’re dressing up without worrying about if it gets lost or stolen.

16.Hat

This is optional, but nice if you’re going anywhere especially sunny or cold. Can also aid the trenchcoat-pajama illusion mentioned above.

17. Belt

Again, not necessary, but nice to have. Use it to spice up your outfit or just keep your pants up. My favourite belt is a leather woven one that can be worn around the waist or hips.

18. Makeup

I know that most travel websites will tell you to avoid this, but I disagree. Somewhere during your trip, you will go somewhere and you will want to look nice. And you will look at the sad wrinkled clothing that you have been wearing repetitively for the past three weeks. Then you will look at your bedraggled hair which is severely in need of colour/ taming products/to be washed. You will look at your face, which probably has pillow marks/sunburn/bugbites/acne. And you will want to cry. But then you will remember that you have makeup and all of a sudden the world will become right again. Men writing travel blogs or books underestimate the power a tube of lipstick can have on the feminine psyche. I say pack it up, but try to keep it to the basics. I’m talking about what you can apply in under five minutes, and will not melt off your face at some point during the day, causing you to look like you belong at Madame Tussauds. I mean, do you really want to spend your adventure applying and reapplying makeup? I thought not.

                                                                                            

19. A Daybag

This can be a purse, backpack, sling or LL Bean tote. Make sure it is lightweight and not too stiff for easy packing, and that it is large enough to hold your sweater, waterbottle, camera and wallet. For those who are paranoid about their bag being stolen, look for features such as a zipper, an across-body strap, a bag that rests directly below your arm, a buckled flap, hidden internal pockets, etc. I refuse to carry a money belt and have never run into an incident where I needed one, but I always carry a bag that is relatively hard to get into. You don’t have to armour your daypack, but just make it difficult for any pickpocket to get into. After all, why go to the effort of working through buckles, zippers, an arm and hidden pockets when you can just go raid that other woman’s fannypack without her noticing a thing. Note that these precautions are against loss of items and pickpocketing only. If you are ever in a situation where someone could wants your bag, throw it in their direction and run the other way. You money, cards and electronics will do you no good when you are dead.