Best packing tips for any weekend trip
I have a serious case of wandering. Always have, always will.
In my eyes, there’s nothing like booking a weekend trip somewhere, seeing the booking confirmation pop up in your email, and counting down the days until you reach your destination.
While the pandemic has certainly affected some of us hikers, what continues to affect us is the real baggage for a said weekend trip. The anxiety that inevitably comes from trying to figure out what to pack (and how to make it all fit) can certainly dampen anyone’s pre-holiday excitement.
I feel you. Packing can be tedious and stressful (who knew those two words could really go together?). But in my opinion, it’s really not that bad.
With my five best packing tips, you’ll learn how to pack in a way that enhances your travel experience — not worsens it.
(AUTHOR’S NOTE: For all intents and purposes this article, I’m giving tips on how to pack with just carry-on luggage for a weekend trip. ? This is from Away.)
Tip #1 Plan your day (and your outfit)
When organizing your weekend packing list, always pack by outfit — not by item. It seems counter-intuitive but it makes a world of difference.
And if you know your itinerary in advance, this will make it easier for you to pack. See the sights on a Saturday and visit the best cocktail bar of the evening? Immediately and always. In fact, I often visualize planned activities to help me figure out what I should really wear. I also like clothes that can multitask, which means they can be worn up or down.
I especially like GANNI’s midi skirt, wearable with sneakers and T-shirts during the day and evening with tights and light sweaters.
P.S. I also find that carrying extra underwear and socks never hurts — they take up very little space and you never know if you need them or not.
Tip #2 Roll your clothes
There was a time when I thought to myself that these people who roll up their clothes are just lazy and don’t know how to fold. Au contrary! In fact, they are geniuses. Sorry for passing the verdict.
Really, I’m always amazed at how much space I have left in my luggage when rolling my clothes. It’s actually one of the best ways to prevent wrinkles (more on that in the next tip).
My favorite rolling method? Lie face down, fold in sleeves and roll up from the bottom. For the pants, I folded my legs together and rolled them from the waist down. Easy as pie.
Tip #3 Bring a Travel Steamer
My friends laughed at me for bringing one, but I’m telling you, a touring car should be your new best friend — if it hasn’t already.
I hate ironing with passion and swear by steam. It’s a great way to freshen up your clothes and get rid of those pesky wrinkles that sometimes roll can’t address. Plus, the little “hump” sound the steamer makes is oddly satisfying, and they’re usually very easy to pack.
All you need is some water and voilà — you’ve got some wrinkle-free outfits just waiting to be worn.
Tip #4 Take advantage of those beauty patterns
I definitely have an A-type personality but yeah, I’m stubborn about one thing—beauty model.
In fact, I have a whole box dedicated to them, organized by their task (cleansing, toning, exfoliating, etc.). Whenever I embark on a weekend trip, I open that box and see which models I want to bring along for the time being.
Not only are they TSA-friendly, but they barely take up any space in my hand luggage. Now that’s a thing of beauty.
Tip #5 Wear your heaviest items on the flight
If you’re going somewhere cooler, instead of putting your jacket inside your carry-on and letting it take up precious space and weight, wear it on the plane.
Unless they have strict regulations against it, you can usually put it in the overhead bin (I tend to put it right on top of my luggage if there’s enough room). The same goes for shoes. If it’s colder and you want boots, bring those babies on board.
Sure, there’s a lot to consider when determining what to bring on your next trip, but one thing’s for sure – you’ve got what you need to enjoy the upcoming weekend.
An American-born and mixed-breed, now living in Germany, Erin is a freelance writer with over 10 years of writing experience from her time in Stockholm, Sweden and New York City. A self-proclaimed storyteller with a serious case of wandering, she has a penchant for all things fashion, film, food and travel.