Lessons From Vacation Packing

Our family vaca plans were cancelled due to Covid-19. Though we’ve rescheduled, at this time our reschedule date isn’t even guaranteed. So it’s time to unpack.

We all have some variation of this carry on backpack. I chose this Cabin Zero because of the roomy interior with room for custom cubes.

To make the best of this moment I thought I’d post one of my surprise finds. To set the stage let me start by saying I don’t think of myself as well traveled, though I’ve been a few places on and off the continent. I used to be the girl with enough luggage for 10 handlers. Shoes for every day, and spare outfits in case I changed my mood. Since I hit my forty’s I’ve found myself so much more into the experience of travel and being in the moment. So much so that I really give little attention to what I’m wearing and had found myself with way too much baggage. Literally. So when I started planning this trip I thought I’d put the effort into the perfect packing experience. I thought I would teach my daughter and my niece, who are traveling with us, to learn the ultimate packing lesson while they are still young travelers. So when I scoured the internet for this trip looking for packing suggestions I was pleasantly surprised to find there is no shortage of packing gurus across all social media platforms! The result? I found the perfect travel backpacks that are the size of carry ons and the plan was for everyone to bring one and done! I even found a laundromat near where we are staying in the first country and planned for us to hit it before we switched destinations so we can essentially only travel with one week of clothes instead of two!

The other benefits of packing light in Europe?

1. European elevators can be small if the place you’re at has them at all.

2. European stairwells can be steep and extremely narrow.

3. Depending on your itinerary, you could be walking some ways, or lugging all your luggage on a train.

4. And, as someone who loves the travel-like-a-local experience, this matters to me; there is no huge “American Tourist” sign as big as strolling through the streets with enough luggage to hunker down for a decade!

So what happened when I presented my packing euphoria to the group? They were not on board! At all! It was a coup! No one was on board with me. So I had to compromise. In the end we are each taking a moderately sized check in. So we will each have a carry on back pack, and be rolling only one piece of luggage. The baby even has his little pieces! So yes, we will still look like visitors but hopefully we can appear to be from anywhere (of course until we open our mouths)!

Curve Appeal Compression jeggings

Photo copyright Nordstrom Rack

So what sparked the post is that I found a pair of amazing red, compression jeggings, which is not the first thing you think of packing for Europe. My plan was to be a bit more refined than usual so I can be camera ready and not so typical. Red jeggings didn’t fit into that idea, or so I thought. I ordered these because the words “compression jeggings” interested me, not to wear on the trip. I was so surprised at how amazing they are that I wanted to include them in my vaca wear. They fit perfectly, make my butt look great, and are so comfy! So I went to work on trying to get 3 looks - the criteria to make it into my luggage.

With one carry on back pack, and one check in bag, I have to maximize my outfits for 2 weeks with room to bring back more than we’re leaving with. So here are the looks I created.

Red compression jeggings from Curve Appeal with:

1. Sage, stripped, layered button down shirt (D & Co.) and black leather boots (Jeffery Campbell).

2. Long, black tunic with double side slits (G.I.L.I), and black trainers (Nike).

3. Mock-camo print long tank (LOGO) with faux suede, floral jacket (Tahari) and black suede booties (Vince Camuto).

Side Note: I tried these looks with a different pair of shoes each but that is not part of my packing plan. The plan is to take one pair of brown boots, a pair of black boots, a pair of white trainer, black flats, and a pair of black heels. Five pairs is still a look but I’ll be wearing one pair, and I learned form my online packing classes that underwear can be rolled up and put into your shoes, providing more space. Since I’m taking boots, probably Dr Martens and a pair of booties, hopefully I can roll a t shirt or two in them!

Striped layered button down from D & Co.

Photo Copyright QVC

Long tunic with double side slits from G.I.L.I

Photo Copyright QVC

Logo mock camo long tank

Photo Copyright QVC

Faux suede floral jacket from Tahiri

Photo Copyright Nordstrom

So the moral of the story?

1. Don’t let the wind out of your sails just because no one is on board with your idea!

2. Don’t have a preconceived idea that a garment will not fit into your vacation plans.

3. Always stay flexible in your head about plans that seem to be rock solid. If we’ve learned anything during Covid-19 in 2020 is that anything can happen, and it’s best to make your mind up to go with the flow!