One Suitcase…30 Outfits

Packing is always a Hot Topic for my blog.  And it appears that every year just about this time, especially when I return from a meeting which I attend each January, and one in which my arms hurt from lugging my properly packed luggage (or not, which is why my arms are aching as I’m penning this blog)  I always think about packing better and more efficiently, which is why I’m penning this blog now.  While I fancy myself a “savvy packer”, sadly, as revealed many times in the past, some of my friends, especially those whom I travel with, may beg to differ with that…as do my aching arms.  So in keeping an open mind and always yearning to learn new things, I  found this handy illustration of how you can pack these 14 items into one suitcase and make 30 outfits.  Now, even I, a self-proclaimed clothes horse,  wouldn’t need 30 outfits (which all appear to be “business-attire”, btw)  for any trip, but I love how it illustrates how you can mix and match.  You can look in your own closet and use items you have and see how they all work together to many more than 4 outfits!

This breaks down to:

2 sweaters – one cardigan and one v-neck

2 dresses – one wrap and one sheath

1 blazer

2 tanks

2 skirts

1 pair jeans

1 pair black pants

1 blouse

1 tee

1 long-sleeved tee or cotton shirt

Accessories feature one pair of flats and one pair of high heels.  One belt, and several necklaces and a watch.  I’d add a pair of boots.

I would add 2 scarves, a neutral shawl, and more pieces of jewelry (all of which I”d put into my carry-on).

This would be extremely easy to feather in items you already have and mix and match

Here are some other options

Let us not forget the Guys…so, I present…For Men!

Great tip to ensure you don’t forget any items in the hotel safe in your room…Put a shoe you plan on wearing the last day in the safe, with your valuables, to ensure you don’t forget your jewels!

Due to the recent announcement about the Bears new coach, Marc Trestman, I am postponing my blog, “Chicago Bears…a season in review” till next week, as I’m really on the fence about this new coach…I’m going to noodle this over, and sort out my thoughts, as I was hoping for a Jon Gruden or Mike Singletary announcement.  My initial thoughts are this guy is indeed an “offensive guru”, but so is Chip Kelly.  Did we get him from the CFL because he’s cheap?  I’ll let you know my thoughts.

Happy Packing and Go Patriots!

xoxo,

T.

I Can be a Savvy Packer (at times)…and my favorite video of the year, thus far!

Ok…I understand that when I blogged about being a savvy packer back in May, that perhaps, “historically” I may not have shown savvy packing skills as my luggage for a 4-day trip, typically tipped the scales within one pound of the limit of 50 LBs…and I also checked an additional smaller bag, that carried my shoes, boots, purses, toiletries and workout clothes.  Clearly Not Savvy.  I get that.

However…I’m pleased to proclaim, on a recent trip to Las Vegas for 4 days I Carried on!  27 LBs…and that included toiletries, boots, clothes, workout clothes, extra purse, etc…and my smaller carry-on was a purse!  Not a large laptop bag, but a 15×12 black patent leather purse!  Even the Limo driver commented that most women don’t carry on for 4 days n Vegas.  Indeed, I was savvy packer!

Yet, sadly, I must confess that after spending 4 days in San Diego, with 9 (yes 9) pairs of shoes and boots (actually 12, but I was trying to salvage some pride), I desperately need a refresher on how to be a savvy packer, as I once again checked 2 bags…one at least 45 pounds, and my “accessories” tipping the scales at 29 pounds.  And, I did not pack one pair of comfortable shoes…a painful lesson!

Perhaps I should take the lead from my friend “C”, who went to Japan, and packed one 20″ carry-on with satchel that had her purse in it. Boots, flat shoes and tennis shoes , 3 pants , 1 skirt, 5 sweaters , 2 tops, 2 scarves  , minimal jewelry    Though I did receive this text after she boasted about her savvy packing skills…  ”oh crap I just remember I forgot my curling iron. ”  Forgotten curling iron aside, she is the Gestapo of packing!

REFRESHER PACKING TIPS (For Terry and anyone else who needs them)

*Choose dark (black, dark blue, purple, green, dark red) or neutral (all browns and shades of gray) colored clothing, so any dirt or stains acquired along the way won’t be too apparent. Try to stick to two or three colors, so that all your clothes mix and match.  May I suggest Black, White, and either Pink or Red?  Coordinate shoes and handbags with these colors.  Do Not be like I was and take both brown , black and metallic shoes, boots and handbags.  Unnecessary!
*For cooler weather travelers: layering clothes is more effective than hauling around bulky sweaters or coats.
*A great way to pack clothes and keep them relatively wrinkle free and neatly contained is to use packing cubes. Roll garments up into tight tubes to save packing space and avoid major wrinkling. Packing cubes can be used to keep your rolled up clothing contained and organized. They allow you to find what you are looking for without taking everything out of your bag and stop all your tightly packed rolls of clothing from coming unrolled and ending up in a pile on the floor.  And, truly, packing clothes really packs more items of clothing into your luggage.
*When writing out your own packing list remember the traveling light motto: Gather together everything you think you’ll need and get rid of half of it. Do not bring things just because they might come in handy.
*Pack one book. You can buy more when you reach your destination or at the airport. If you’re absolutely certain you’ll need more than one book, consider books-on-tape or download e-books to your iPod or MP3 player.  I bring one magazine, one paperback (never hardcover, as I don’t like carrying things that are heavy) and make sure I have 3 books and 4 movies/TV shoes on my iPad.
*Don’t pack things you can buy in your destination. This includes extra feminine products, diapers, pain relievers, razors, etc.  Actually, these tips are from cheaptravel.com, and I say pack travel sized containers of these items, and keep them in your travel toiletry bag.
*Buy travel-size items. You’ll either discard them before leaving your destination or you’ll find a spare inch or two in your suitcase when coming home.  Buy these at home, and keep them stored in your Dop kit.

(Source: Container Store Travel Packing Tips)

This is the most difficult of all the packing chores – what to wear.  No one wants to run out of clean underwear or get a red wine stain on your only pair of khaki pants (which is why I don’t wear khaki pants, nor do I drink red wine), but there is a happy medium when it comes to packing clothes:

**One rule of thumb to remember: Unless its stained or soiled, it can be worn again. Double-up your outfits based on the amount of days you’re staying. For example, if you’re going away for 10 days, you need five outfits. (This is not necessarily a Terry-approved tip).
**Do the wash. Grab a bottle of Woolite® or hand-wash laundry detergent and do your wash in the sink one night. You’ll wake up the next morning with clean clothes that you won’t mind wearing again.
**If you’re not a celebrity at home, you won’t become one on vacation. Keep the outfit changes to a minimum. A simple cardigan or evening jacket can turn a daytime outfit into a nighttime affair.  What if one is a celebrity at home and on the road?  Just asking.
**Pack shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits. The general rule is: one pair of shoes per anticipated occasion. For example, you’ll need one pair of walking shoes, one pair of beach shoes, one pair of evening shoes and one pair of casual shoes.

(Source:  Cheaptravel.com)

Though I beg to differ with Cheap Travel’s one tip…while I’m not a celebrity, I’m always hoping to become one when I travel…Why squelch a girl’s dreams?

And speaking of Dreams…This moment, when San Francisco 49-er Vernon Davis caught a pass from Alex Smith  to seal the fate against the New Orleans Saints (whom I love, btw), showed pure joy.  Pure emotion, and I, once again, became a fan of the San Francisco 49-ers…of course, it helps having Kevin work there, but nonetheless, truly one of my favorite moments of the year!  And you may FF to 1.34 if you don’t want to watch the entire video.  Jim Harbaugh embracing Davis…You have a heart of stone if you don’t shed a tear!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge-ELqL_Rz0

A perfect Super Bowl in Indy…49-ers v Patriots!  Bring It On!!

xoxo,

T.

THE IMPULSE TO TRAVEL IS ONE OF THE HOPEFUL SYMPTOMS OF LIFE…AGNES REPPLIER

Related articles

• Packing Tips for Studying Abroad (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)
• I Can be a Savvy Packer (at times)…and my favorite video of the year, thus far! (dressedtoat.wordpress.com)

Rebuttal to my Savvy Packing Blog

Due to being Dissed by friends and family re: the lack that NO ONE appears to think I am a “savvy packer”, I feel the need, to, once again, write a Rebuttal to my previous blog…Overpacking at its’ worst…Guilty as Charged!

As I mentioned in a comment on my previous blog…”Note to File…Never Publish a blog, on a Girl’s Weekend Trip, surrounded by your friends…who have basically indicated, I am the LEAST savvy packer ever“  Truly.  I was a bit “lambasted” by my friends in regards to my Savvy Packing blog. 

These are some of the comments I’ve received:

“I’m not trying to dethrone the fashion blogger, but I think you need an intervention!! When packing for a 3 or 4 day trip, why does one need “2 pairs of boots” and “more boots”?  As you said, if you stick with the color scheme of black, you shouldn’t need multiple pairs of boots!  And “handbags”, (plural)?  For a quick trip you can certainly pick one neutral purse that will go with all outfits.  No one is going to “out” you if you don’t change your purse every day on a trip, as we know you love to do.  And if you’re like me, you pack about 4 outfits per day, because you just never know if you will fall in a mud puddle, or get caught in the rain, or end up going to 3 or 4 different events that require different looks.  Cut back on half of the clothes. There, I believe I’ve removed about 25 pounds of your luggage! Your back can thank me later!” – and this was from my sister Megan… For someone who has known me Her entire life, I think we know that I always change my handbags…and which, yes, carrying 1 handbag in a neutral color on a trip is very efficient and savvy, sometimes I like to have a few different ones. 

“Where do you pack your tennis racket”?  Well, truth be told, when I travel on a girl’s tennis trip to FL, I do put my tennis racket in my friend Linda’s luggage…because her suitcase is large enough to carry my tennis racket, while mine is not.

“T, it’s because of You, that we have to check luggage on our trip, and not carry on, because you have a bag too large to carry on”.   I’m pretty sure the rest of the group is not the Packing Gestapo that you are, C.

“I finally got a chance to actually read the blog that I was dissing you about.  You do confess your sins well.  Bottom line is anyone who actually checks bags for a 3-4 day trip is not a savvy packer.  On the other hand, when you reach your destination T, you will look and dress much better than I will!”  I wouldn’t say that I will look better than you, Cinda, but I do try my best!  And…Plenty of other ladies also pack more than one outfit per day… Plus it’s healthy to wear different shoes.  It’s important to keep changing shoes and boots, to give your feet a break.  I like to give my feet many breaks throughout the day!

“How many pair of shoes do you actually have“?  I really have no idea, and have no intention of starting to count at this point in my life.

So, my pledge is, I shall acquiesce to the masses, and promise to do a better job at packing more efficiently…and, gasp, try not to bring 4 pairs of boots and 5 purses on a 3-day trip.  And, I shall take  note of some of those packing trips…because they truly are helpful…and had I followed my own “packing” advice, wouldn’t have to write this rebuttal…and wouldn’t have Overpacked to begin with!

xoxo.

T.

“I’m very strict with my packing and have everything in its right place. I never change a rule. I hardly use anything in the hotel room. I wheel my own wardrobe in and that’s it“.   Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones.

Overpacking at its’ Worst…Guilty as Charged

I fancy myself a savvy traveler, and an even savvier packer.  I can color-coordinate with the best of  ’em, and thought I was a Master of packing for a trip.  Well, not so much.  My luggage weighed in at a whopping 85 Pounds  for a  recent trip to Vegas from Sat –  Wed.  I’m not a total buffoon, as this was spread out amongst 2 bags, but it’s still “weigh too excessive” (pun intended).    Not sure where I went so horribly wrong, but I became the poster child for Over Packing.  And just because I know you can get more in a suitcase by rolling your clothes, doesn’t mean you need to roll an entire wardrobe into one suitcase.

My main roller bagged weighed it just below the heavyweight division at 47.5 pounds.  My smaller bag, which I also check, tipped the scales at 33 pounds.  What in the world was I thinking?  The larger roller bag holds my clothes, workout shoes, 2 pair of boots, and additional work materials if needed.  The small bag is supposed to hold my shoes, more boots, handbags, hairbrushes, chargers and toiletry bag.  Something went terribly awry, and my sore back, shoulders and hips, from dragging the luggage from only the luggage carousel to my limo was a tell-tale sign that I need a packing intervention.  Have I mentioned that I have an additional “laptop” bag, which in and of itself, probably weighs 10 LBs.  Ugh!

I know better and was negligent in taking my own packing advice.  Here are some great tips, though I caution reading these or taking these tips, as I clearly didn’t follow them myself, but shall on my next trip!  And thank you to my friend Mickey with Doncaster, for sharing some of these helpful tips!

1.  Go over your itinerary carefully and determine the different types of event you need clothes for

2.  Plan to wear the same outfit on travel days.  I always wear my heavier clothes as well, and always have my shawl and jacket with me on the plane.

3.  Check the weather forecast before you pack.  I remember going to FL, thinking I was good with skirts, t-shirts and sandals, only to arrive and find out it was a “breezy” 40 degrees… Should have checked the forecast.  I also keep a small umbrella in my luggage, which stays put.  And hopefully, stays put in the luggage during the entire trip!

4.  Plan a color scheme and stick to it…I stick with black (I know shocking)…that way my boots, shoes and handbags go with everything.  You can mix things up with accessories, scarves and jewelery.

5.  Wear the clothes that make your feel best…If you don’t wear it at home, you will Not wear it when you are away. And if you don’t fit into it at home, trust me, you will NOT fit into it when you are away.

6.  Use a packing system or “packing “…small bags that are for undergarments, shoes, toiletries.  It keeps everything clean and organized.  This also minimizes the need to unpack if moving from place to place, and lessens disruption if your bag is opened and searched at the airport.

7.  I always keep my toiletry bag stocked at all times.  When I return from a trip, I ensure I have everything I need, so that bag is always ready to go, and the small bottles are filled.  I also have an extra phone chargers, which I keep in my toiletry bag, so never to be on the road, and unable to charge my phone(s).

Happy Travels…and may you travel safely and lightly!

xoxo,

T.