Never overpack again (unless you want to).
Packing for a long weekend is an art form. It’s not that packing for a weeks-long trip isn’t tough, but when you’re headed somewhere for a few days, finding the balance between things you’ll definitely wear and things you’ll hope you’ll wear—and then finding space for them in your carryon or weekender—is delicate. After taking at least a dozen weekend trips throughout the last couple of years, I’ve acquired a few thoughtful, systematic strategies that ease the stress of packing.
Whether you’re heading out to the North Fork or hopping on an hour-long plane ride from Los Angeles to Tahoe, here’s how I pack for a weekend getaway.
Oftentimes, we believe the vacation versions of us can magically deal with the discomfort of blister-causing shoes after not wearing them out of the house for two years—or that Vacation You wouldn’t mind squeezing into a tight dress when Everyday You absolutely hates form-fitting clothing. We like to project fun, breezy qualities onto the vacation versions of ourselves, but when you’re packing, be realistic: If you wouldn’t wear it on a weekend at home, would you really wear it on a long weekend away?
It’s important to make sure each item you pack—save for underwear or other undergarments, of course—can be worn more than one way. Have a white button-down like the The Perfect Boyfriend Shirt? After you wear it to dinner, repurpose it as a beach cover-up the next day. Have a dress that you usually style with flip flops? See how it looks with heels and a red lip. This is doubly true for swimwear: Even though your bathing suit top may be the perfect poolside pick, it might look great under a blazer or paired with loose trousers.
There’s no single packing tip that’s helped alleviate the stress of outfit planning more than this one: Instead of assuming your new skirt will look great with your go-to favorite tank, try it on first. Perhaps the proportions are wrong together, or you notice that two shades of black don’t match. Sure, you can allow some room for sartorial spontaneity if your suitcase allows, but having pre-planned outfits makes getting out the door that much faster.
Either way, I like to plan each outfit down to the accessories—and then take a photo of it to have on hand while getting dressed—to feel confident that I won’t end up saying I have nothing to wear.
Share
Up Next
Get more milage out of your swim wardrobe.
