Summer Trips: Clothing, Packing and More

Hannah Yakobi is an award-winning journalist and communications specialist. Throughout her career, she has written for the National Post, OK! Magazine, the Ottawa Citizen, Canwest newspaper network and dozens of publications around the world. Currently, she is the Editor-in-Chief of FAJO Magazine, a Canadian publication with staff in Canada, U.S. and U.K.

You may recall that a couple of weeks ago my column focused on how to pack if you are travelling to one of the fashion capitals. We looked at New York, London and Paris, and following the publication of the story I received a lot of feedback.

A hot topic, apparently, was the issue of packing for a trip in general. I am not surprised, as there have been many times throughout my own life when I blankly stared at my suitcase, unable to figure out how to fit a pile of clothing into it.

In the last couple of years, however, I have developed an effective packing system that never fails me. And the questions from Notable’s readers on this topic couldn’t have had better timing.

Here are my Top 10 tips for perfect packing – I’ve made them simple and short, so you can even print this page and pin it to your pinboard or fridge.

1. Assessment. Think about the length of your trip. A few days? You should have a smaller suitcase/bag. A couple of weeks? You are allowed a larger suitcase.

2. Activities. Reflect carefully on what you are planning to do while away. Are you only going to meetings? Are they formal or informal? Are you planning to go out? Do you have a lot of outdoor activities on your schedule? Pack accordingly.

3. Assortment. No matter where you are going or what you are planning to do (unless you are hiking in the Himalayas), make sure you pack a pair of dressy shoes, an evening outfit, a casual outfit and a smart casual outfit. You never know what may come up

4. Accessories. If you read my column on a regular basis, you will know how much I love to stress this point. Bring nice accessories. A smart casual outfit can easily become a semi-formal one if accessorized well.

5. Anticipation. Always bring at least two pairs of shoes. There is nothing worse than ending up with one pair that somehow ends up being highly uncomfortable. We’ve all been there and it’s not fun, so avoid this at all costs.

6. Abandonment. To make your trip less stressful, opt for having the least number of bags possible. Try having one large bag and one carry-on, instead of many small ones. Consider also making your carry-on as light as possible and putting most of your “content” into your suitcase.

7. Acknowledgment. Make sure the clothes/shoes you have packed still fit you properly. Don’t pack things you haven’t worn in ages. Try everything on first.

8. Allure. Pack things that you actually enjoy wearing. You are going away – whether on a business trip or vacation – and having nice clothing and accessories will make the trip extra enjoyable!

9. Afterthought. First, pack quickly. Then give yourself a 15-minute break, return to your suitcase, open it and re-assess its contents. Did you overpack? Is there anything you don’t really need that can be put away?

10. Ahem. The final tip is to lift your suitcase. If it’s too heavy for you, it’s time for another round of re-packing.

Have a great trip!

Photo courtesy FAJO Magazine