Nope, today’s Travelin’ Thursday post is not about fancy luggage and travel accoutrements, but rather what to put INTO the luggage!
I saw this on Pinterest today: (yes, the addiction is fierce)…
Source: containerstore.com via Meredith on Pinterest
Sure, this fancy schmancy list is just fine… but I’ve always been a fan of making my OWN list before traveling. It helps keep my anxiety features in check, and everyone knows I love a list… but what exactly is on my list?
MY ABSOLUTE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS:
- Photo ID, Credit Card, Cash
- Eyeglasses, Sunglasses
- Camera, charger, memory card
- Chapstick
- Gum
- Prescription(s)
- phone and charger
FAVORITE TRAVELING CLOTHES:
- flats you can wear with both skirts or pants
- black jeans- dressy or casual
- knit / casual dresses (I rewear these over and over on urban adventures and just switch my earrings) roll these in your suitcase. They are also good for travel days
- tights
- lightweight longsleeves (better for hiking or outdoorsy trips)
- denim jacket
- black or brown pashmina wrap/scarf
EXTRAS:
- snack bars (Luna, Clif, Gnu, sometimes even Snickers) for if the hunger monster strikes
- notebook (ideas from locals, thoughts while sitting in sidewalk cafes, a place to keep stubs and coatchecks, etc)
- guidebook from library with maps inside
- A great mid-size over the shoulder bag for carrying a day’s worth of stuff.
So that’s pretty much the drill. Of course I pack underwear, some socks, more clothes than this, and the requisite shampoo, eyeliner, and moisturizer. When it comes down to it, though, this would be my capsule “best hits” of packing.
A few last notes: I almost never pack an umbrella, because if it rains, what an excuse to duck into the nearest cafe for a hot whiskey? Its not like you’re in a hurry! Also, I’ve come to love Skechers as my favorite cute-while-keeping-comfy shoes. I wear my tie up boots on almost every vacation, and my mary janes usually come along for the ride as well. Once I’ve gotten through security at the airport, I always stock up on beverages. Why?
My final rule: Always prioritize your most basic needs. For me, I have a constant fear that I will be somewhere without something to drink (the other one is that I won’t have a bathroom… which obviously has something to do with all of the drinking, but I can’t really do anything about that). Thus, I always prioritize knowing where my next beverage might be from and carry an empty water bottle with me sometimes too.
And also, of course, I make sure to have my trusty camera with me at all times…
What is on your “travel essentials” packing list? Do you have any outfits that you know are tried and true traveling and sight-seeing outfits? How much do you carry around with you on an adventure in a new place? Any tips for the rest of us?
Meri
Comfortable shoes are my must have. Most of my vacations include lots of walking.
Great list! I’m totally gonna bookmark it as I’m getting ready to travel threw Europe with…not much!
Leggins and tunics! My go to on a plane. Soo comfy and actually decent looking compared to all the slackers in LOVE sweatpants, lol.
I always write a list before I pack my bag, it helps me realise what I do and don’t need to bring. I start writing it the week before and fine tune it over the week. So nerdy. And still, after fine-tuning it all week, I manage to never ever get it right. I always over-pack or bring things I haven’t worn in weeks. I think I need to take some sort of bag-packing tutorial!
x Jasmine
Def can’t be without my sweats that say Juicy on the butt! Haha. So classy! Lists are great, they help me priortize and lessen my anxieties about the upcoming travel day. I bring a mix of practical and fun clothing. I also like to add a beach read or magazine. Traveling is so fun!
haha this is nice, a few days ago I just booked a trip to California so Im gonna need this list!!
hmmmm
your list looks pretty complete.
for some reason (and I have been on the road a lot lately) I seem to need a billion light weight but long sleeved shirts because I am always cold.
jeans, yoga type pants, one nice shirt just in case we go out to eat, and those billion comfy stretchy long sleeved shirts….and SOCKS.
I never pack enough but oh well.
haha
Happy Friday
I just love packing. It sounds ridiculous, but I do. I love getting everything all organized, anticipating what I need. I still use a packing list from the first time I went to England. I’d say my list is quite similar to yours. I always make sure I have jammies and a change of clothes in my carry-on, just in case my luggage gets lost.
i’ve been drafting a post like this one for so long but still haven’t finished it. but pretty much it’s the essential toiletries, and the t-shirts that will probably appear in all of your photos. good to take a big scarf that you can use to cover yourself in the plane, or to lie down when you’re at the beach. i have a red one since I have no idea when, and I take it everywhere.
and comfy shoes. always.
When we travel we barely make a list because we travel light but go back with lots due to shopping
My must item? – black leggings (usually a sort of legging that keeps you warm!), a wool jacket I inherited from my mom, flat boots, my tainted moisturizer from Laura Mercier and pink blush. Its such a comfi winter travel essential kit!