Warm Holiday Packing Tips – Pack with Style, Comfort and Purpose

If you know me, you know that I have traveled extensively throughout the world.  Through my experience, I’d like to share a few packing tips that will help you pack with style, comfort and purpose.

In the style world, this is actually called “Resort” season – the in between fall 2011 and spring 2012 fashion season.  In looking at what is on trend for resort 2012, it is a cross between Spring 2011 and Spring 2012 – all over white/cream (2011) , see through (2012), color blocking (2011), prints, stripes, bold colors, shorts, wicker…   So you have a lot to choose from!

Let’s start from the beginning – the plane.  It is not okay to wear pajamas or sweat pants in public.  Be respectful of those around you and wear very comfortable stretchy jeans instead.  They are lightweight, stretchy, extremely comfortable and quite flattering in a dark color.  Men should definitely get a pair of dark straight legged jeans with stretch as well.  Much better than your stone washed jeans from the 80s that make the “ugly american” phrase come alive.  Pair this with a flat ballet shoe with support or a cute pair of converse type shoes.  Either style can then double as your sightseeing shoe depending on your destination.  Notice I didn’t say white court tennis shoes!

For the top, wear a graphic and colorful fitted t-shirt or tunic.  Then, add a zip up hoodie (yes, a sweatshirt in this style is okay) or a cozy cardigan for warmth. All pieces can be worn for casual sightseeing and are small enough to pack easily.  Top the whole outfit off with an easily packable and lightweight trench rain coat and color flattering scarf (yes, men and women!)

Okay, so now we have your plane a travel and sightseeing outfit.  Pack a few more lightweight long sleeved and short sleeved t-shirts and tunics for a change in layers.  You can buy more trendy t-shirts and scarves along the way as souveniers to switch up your colors and styles.  Big, unfitted white t-shirts do not apply.

Women should bring at least one dress for evening and dinners.  I actually love sun dresses, wrap dresses and skirts for easy day wear too!  I usually bring several dresses and skirts.  Men should bring at least one pair of lightweight wrinkle free pants for evening as well.  I’m not talking your boring work khaki’s here.  Think of something as fun and casual as your pajama bottoms that are public ready.   You should also have a wrinkle free button up shirt.  Use your best judgment whether long or short sleeve is appropriate for where you are (long is more formal).  You can also wear these shirts as a layer too!

Shoes seem to take up the most room, but having a couple of varieties are important, not only for style changes but for tired feet.  A pair of wedges might be appropriate for women.  I would avoid heals in warm weather places.  You will just sink into the sand!  A pair of Grecian style sandles are perfect as you can dress them up or down.  Men should have a pair of leather sandles too.  A pair of loafers can suffice.  Avoid your wingtips because those are just too heavy and take up so much room. Flip flops for the beach and very casual nighttime outings is perfect.

So we have sightseeing wear, evening wear, other casual day wear (sundress/wrap dress, tunics), a couple of variety of shoes and scarves for style and warmth.  Let’s not forget a cardigan or two!  Cotton or light wool is perfect to wear any time – a chilly day or air conditioned restaurant.  Layers is key!  Add your long sleeved t-shirt under your dress or shirt, add cardigan and scarf + your trench and you are set!

What is left?  Accessories.  We have the scarf already – which is very stylish, adds color and warmth if needed.  What about your travel handbag??  Yes, men can carry one too.  Handbags are very personal and for travel, I like the over the shoulder handbag so I always have my hands free for taking photos!  It needs to be large enough to hold your travel documents, camera, hand sanitizer, bug spray and sunscreen but not so large that you can’t pack it if you want to (just in case you find that perfect handbag on your travels!).  You should also bring one small going out purse for evening or a time when you want to travel light.  A fanny pack (also called a bum pack for non-americans) is NEVER good.  It is even higher on the not to wear scale than the 80s stone washed jeans and white court tennis shoes.

Sunglasses are another must.  Add style immediately with a fashionable pair of sunglasses.  They are important for the beach too.  You can quietly observe without notice!

Other accessories include necklaces (for non scarf days), a dress down and dress up pair of earrings and maybe a bracelet.  Don’t bring anything expensive because it can be lost very easily (or stolen, unfortunately).  You don’t have to bring a watch – you are on holiday!  But I’d bring a waterproof casual watch vs. an expensive one for the same reason as above – it can get lost, left or stolen.  And if you are somewhere that doesn’t have alarm clocks, I’d bring a travel alarm clock instead of a watch – especially if your cell phone isn’t international.

For the beach, a sarong is a must.  It acts as a cover up and a towel.  Bring at least two swimsuits so you can let one dry a day in between.  Your sundresses can also be used as a cover up.

If you don’t have many of these things, take the opportunity to browse the local styles in the place that you are in.  What is in style here is not always what is appropriate for where you are going.

All these items should easily fit in a small to medium sized suitcase.  But, you may want to bring a larger one so you have room for your great finds!

Happy travels!

Follow us on Twitter http://twitter.com/#imagethatbiz