Pack Your Bags

Packing When Traveling

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm going on a week long trip and have no idea what to pack. For some reason, I always seem to overpack, but with all these new luggage regulations, I really can't afford to do that this time. I just hate being without something I want while I'm far from home. Do you have any advice for how to pack as efficiently as possible?

Sincerely,

Jet Setter

A:

Dear Jet Setter,

Packing for vacations can be extremely stressful, especially with all the new rules and regulations. The key is to plan ahead.

Tips for packing when traveling:

• Don’t go overboard bringing everything you may need. Before you put items into your suitcase, lay them out on your bed or on the floor. That way you can see what you have before you commit to bringing it. 
   
• Underwear. Bring one set for each day and then three extras. If you run out you can always handwash them in the sink or purchase extras on site. 
   
• For a long weekend, bring one pair of jeans, one pair of trousers, one black dress (if you’re a woman) and one blazer or suit (if you’re a man), two short sleeved shirts, and one shirt that can double as a top for your jeans or a top for your trousers if the occasion is more formal or festive. 
   
• For a week, add a juicy-type sweat suit for women and a v-neck sweater (if it’s winter, make it a merino wool type sweater that you can layer or wear without anything under it, or a cotton "cashmere" that is more summer or spring appropriate.) Women can add a blazer to wear with the jeans, trousers or skirt. Double the shirt requirements in tip 3 for a week.
   
• Shoes can be dead weight or life savers. Women should bring a pair of sneakers that are not ratty, but are good walking shoes, a pair of flats that are attractive enough, and well matched with the proportions of your trousers and jeans (so that the pants aren’t too long), and a pair of heels preferably pumps. Men should bring a pair of sneakers, a pair of loafers or driving shoes and a pair of dress shoes. 
   
• Clothes for special events. Destination weddings require special care for a gown, a tuxedo, a bridesmaid dress, or even a guests’ black tie dress or tuxedo. Don’t squash beautiful clothes into a suitcase. Give your special clothes the same care you would a pet – separate container, don’t check it with the rest of your luggage, carry it on the plane and ask the air host or hostess to stow it separately. 
   
• Insurance. Make sure any jewelry you care about losing is insured. Traveling is a sure way to lose something. Hopefully, your loss will be a paperback book or a tee shirt. But in case it is jewelry, make sure you have a "rider" attached to your home or renter’s insurance policy that will cover your jewelry in case of theft or loss. 
   
• Don’t load up your luggage with a hairdryer if you are going to be at a hotel. Most hotels have hair dryers for guests to use. If you don’t see one in your hotel, ask the front desk.
   
• Irons. Ask your hotel front desk to make sure that there is an iron and ironing board in your room so you can get rid of wrinkles in your clothing. Do use the hotel’s dry cleaning amenities or ask them to find you an overnight dry cleaner, or one-hour dry cleaner for any touché ups that will make the difference between your looking and feeling incredibly, and looking like a wrinkled mess. 
   
• A week before your trip make sure that you have an extra set of anything that is prescription – whether it’s contact lenses, medicine, or orthotics for shoes. Another failsafe is to make sure that a neighbor or friend has a key to your house and is able to overnight mail anything you’ve forgotten that you may need.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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