This is about being properly dressed when travelling. When you get it right, it's really nice. I love travelling with a small cabin bag and the yet show up dressed correctly at every opportunity. But that's not always the case. We have a lot of experience in making mistakes - and therefore some tips to avoid the worst mistakes.
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ShareHow wrong it can be
We were inspired to write this post when we read our blog colleague 4000 miles' post. Being TOTALLY wrong for travelling - system bags, white jeans and a pink jumpsuit?. We think we are relatively experienced travellers, but even so, we have to admit that we have packed the wrong clothes many times. When we were travelling around Europe for a whole year in 2015, Peter packed the campervan full of nice shirts... but mostly used T-shirts.
When we travelled to the Philippines a few years ago, he packed at least five pairs of long trousers in his backpack. But what he used? The same pink shorts every day... It was 30 degrees and humid!
Do I (Helena) always pack correctly? No, of course I don't! I often forget my handbag, so I have to drag my rucksack along on odd occasions, such as into a fancy restaurant. What I above all However, the most forgotten item is not clothing but the toothbrush, toothpaste or toothbrush charger. This has happened in the last three trips...! Can you get mad at yourself?
I often pack quite small, which is both good and bad. When we travelled to Ireland for 16 days, I only had one cabin bag (one of the small ones in the picture). Our neighbour looked a bit shocked and said it had only been enough for their underwear... However, the only thing I really missed was a pair of hiking pants, which I didn't own yet.
Tips for being properly dressed when travelling
We don't always pack right, but we've learnt a few things along the way. Here are our top tips for staying dressed right when travelling:
- Pack at least two pairs of shoes, both of which should be comfortable. When you walk a lot, it is good to be able to switch between different shoes to avoid pain.
- Pack clothes that can be varied in different ways. Does the top work with different trousers/skirts? Does each pair of shoes go with several different sets of clothes?
- Check the weather! What are the temperatures in the forecast? Will it be cool in the evenings/nights? Is there a risk of rain? Pack clothes for the weather!
- Be aware that it can be cold indoors. Even if it's warm outside, it can be cold in aeroplanes, buses and hotel rooms. Always pack something warm!
- Think about what you will do on your trip and pack clothes for all kinds of activities: swimwear for the beach, hiking trousers for the outdoors and fancy clothes for restaurants.
- Think about which bags you need! Rucksack? Handbag? Beach bag?
- Don't pack too much! You can use clothes for several days and they can be combined in different ways. Carrying too much luggage is no fun.
What are your top tips for making sure you are always dressed appropriately when travelling?
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Elisabeth says:
Combination clothes are best. Jeans and sandals go with it. But you can't predict everything, so sometimes you'll make mistakes.
12 June 2018 - 7:58
Helena says:
Of course it is! Maybe you have to expect a few mistakes 😉.
12 June 2018 - 12:47
Anette says:
Just about to pack. Shortly after lunch I take the train to Karlskrona, after a week I fly from there to Skellefteå, the trip ends in Nyköping before returning to Linköping. I only want a cabin bag because there will be many transfers and changes of transport. Will be away for two weeks and be both in the southern and northern parts of the country, certainly missing something.
12 June 2018 - 8:40
Helena says:
When travelling around and changing modes of transport, it's nice not to have too heavy or bulky luggage! And yes, it's easy to forget something 😉.
12 June 2018 - 12:48
Emma, sun like sun? says:
One tip is (as a woman, perhaps) to wear a shawl or sarong. I have a black viscose one that I can use as a dress at the beach or as a shawl to wrap around my shoulders in the evening (my upper arms are always cold!). On the plane, I can use it as a blanket or pillow if I want.
For you Helena, wouldn't it be good to have a list to tick off (ticking is done when it has been submitted - not before)? Create one for each trip and then you can also see what was used, maybe you can remember what was missing last time?
Shoes are really difficult. Usually you want to bring a pair to look good in, but did you use them? No ... The ideal is to find footwear that is comfortable AND works with the dress and the restaurant.
12 June 2018 - 9:07
Helena says:
Shawl/sarong seems smart! I am like you and would like to have something over my arms in the evenings and the like. Yes, maybe I should try a list! 😉 When it comes to shoes, I usually try to find comfortable shoes that fit a skirt/dress. It can be nicer shoes without heels, finer sandals or "summer boots" 🙂.
12 June 2018 - 12:51
Ama de casa says:
I think I'm pretty good at packing, it goes quickly. Then I reason that "if I'm missing something, I can buy it on the spot". But since I don't like shopping, what I have with me is usually enough. Except when the luggage disappears and you end up in the "compulsive shopping" situation.
One tip is that when travelling with checked luggage, make sure you have some of your clothes in your hand luggage, in case the checked luggage doesn't arrive as it should. Then you have a change of clothes until the luggage reappears (which, thankfully, it always has). If you travel with two bags, you can distribute the clothes a little cleverly so that you "manage" in case one bag does not arrive. (Yes, it has also happened, have some phobias for that with checked luggage that goes off on its own adventure 😉 ).
We also have a "fully charged" toiletry bag in a suitcase in the garage. That way you don't forget your toothbrush (unless you take another bag and forget the whole toiletry bag). Maybe a tip for you? 😉
12 June 2018 - 9:57
Helena says:
Peter also often says that "we can buy it on site", but sometimes we don't have time, and sometimes it's hard to find what you want 😉 Smart this with having a change of clothes in the hand luggage! I usually at least try to have an extra sweater there. Maybe I should embrace that with the toiletries 🙂 (Sometimes I have forgotten toothpaste. Next time I am super careful with the toothpaste, but then I forget the charger for the electric toothbrush;))
12 June 2018 - 12:55
Emma, sun like sun? says:
We don't travel often, but when we do, I usually divide clothes and shoes between the suitcases so that half are left in case ...
12 June 2018 - 13:28
Helena says:
Smart idea! 🙂
12 June 2018 - 18:41
Gold says:
Three daytime garments and three evening garments, then I mix these garments. Two pairs of good quality lace panties (dries quickly) that are washed in the sink. This has been enough for me for 2-3 weeks:-))
12 June 2018 - 10:05
Helena says:
Good to be able to mix! I also wash sometimes when travelling. Interesting reason to pack lace panties, have never thought that they dry quickly 🙂 .
12 June 2018 - 12:58
Mr Steve says:
I can't remember ever packing too little for a trip, but too much has happened.
12 June 2018 - 10:16
Helena says:
Packing too much is probably quite common I think 😉.
12 June 2018 - 12:59
Eva/Living like Eva says:
Packing is an art form that I am working on mastering! My routine looks like this: Hot-Cold-Rain-Sun: Am I prepared for extremes (depending on the destination) in all these weather conditions? Activities: What should I do; riding, hiking, going to a restaurant? Checklist in general; here are all the things that are easy to forget: wet wipes, charger, adapter, passport copy, small handbag, etc. Then I have a number of travel favourites among the clothes that have proved to be dirt-resistant, wrinkle-free, easily washed and reasonably neat after two weeks of use 🙂 Last but not least, it is in my routine: Don't pack too much!!!
12 June 2018 - 10:44
Helena says:
It sounds like you have a lot of routine! 🙂 I think I think a bit similar. And of course you have some favourite pieces for travel, ones that keep their shape and can be combined in many ways.
12 June 2018 - 13:01
Susjos says:
Usually I pack too much! But it also happens that I packed too little, and forgot a warm long-sleeved sweater!
I also make sure to have a larger scarf in my hand luggage that can be used on the plane and on cool evenings, very convenient!
Once, both my husband and I packed too much, so we had to pay overweight on the way out! Then we had to be smart on the way home and dress in several garments to avoid paying overweight! Guess if it got hot, but we didn't have to pay, haha!
12 June 2018 - 14:12
Helena says:
Paying for excess weight is no fun! A good solution is to wear lots of clothes. Warm, maybe, but what you don't do to avoid the extra charges ... 😉 ...
12 June 2018 - 18:42
Across the board says:
A pair of shoes is included. But then we are probably quite good at packing these days. We think that if we need something, we can buy it. But layer upon layer, instead of something thick and preferably matching colours, the combinations are many.
12 June 2018 - 14:55
Helena says:
Agree that layering is good! Preferably several thin garments, so you can take on and off as it fits 🙂
12 June 2018 - 18:43
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
We have certainly made mistakes when it comes to packing. Unfortunately, it is probably long trousers and a thick sweater that I have missed...
Went in hiking trousers and single for own a whole week in South Africa. Maybe I'm a bit of an optimist when it comes to weather (And it's more fun to pack light summer clothes....).
The new hiking trousers; will they be used for the trip around midsummer. Exciting in that case...
12 June 2018 - 15:43
Helena says:
Yes, it's more fun to pack light summer clothes ... but it's not fun to freeze! And yes, the hiking trousers can probably come in handy at midsummer 😉.
12 June 2018 - 18:45
Like says:
Have been travelling around Christmas to the Canary Islands. We travelled with jeans and a long-sleeved shirt (winter clothes). The bags were gone, we got them after a day and a halfWhen we arrived it was 30 degrees. We did not feel like going anywhere to shop, went into a small place nearby. Bought beach dress and sandals and toothbrushes, they had no underwear..shampoo and all that stuff we had to borrow from a couple who lived in the apartment next door. . I discovered that it is possible to dry cotton panties in the microwave, I then realised that I could have bought a bikini.
12 June 2018 - 16:14
Helena says:
What an experience! But it also shows that it always works out, somehow! I have never tried drying clothes in the microwave ... , however, the hair dryer in some hotels has been allowed to set up 😉 .
12 June 2018 - 18:47
Veiken says:
It is not easy to know in advance what is suitable for different occasions. The weather also has an impact. I always have at least three pairs of shoes with me. It's so important that your feet feel good no matter what you do or intend to do. The nice little handbag is almost always left in the cupboard. Right now in our apartment in Thailand. All the little ones are there! GRRR!
We always pack half in each bag and share the space. If one bag goes missing, we have the other one!
At the top of the suitcase is an A4 cardboard box, with name, address and mobile phone number in case the tags are lost and the bags need to be opened. Slightly better chance of getting the bags back if the worst happens...
12 June 2018 - 19:01
BP says:
Most of the time I overpack, but strangely we have never forgotten hygiene items including toothbrush/cream. Before the final packing we always put a toiletry bag in the bathroom where we put all the items after using them one last time before leaving.
In recent years, however, we have started to pack less, especially clothes. There are washing machines;-)
Otherwise we think like Ama, minus the toiletries, as we don't have a garage;-)
12 June 2018 - 21:12
Lena - good for the soul says:
Hehe, yes that is always a challenge. I always try to maximise the combination possibilities to avoid bringing so much. At the same time, I find no reason to bring a little if you still have the space and if you are not going to carry the bag anyway.
I made a huge mistake once. We were travelling to Dubrownik and I didn't realise it would be so hot! I only had sneakers with me. And very difficult to find an alternative to buy. It was not fun! Finally, I bought a pair of flip-flops that were too small. And how easy was it to walk/tour around in them then...?!!?!!
Hug Lena
13 June 2018 - 6:22
Shamrock says:
I would never forget the toothbrush, but a lot of other things are forgotten... I myself belong to the category that takes too much (yet I usually miss something).
13 June 2018 - 19:09
Linnea - Lanclin.com says:
Ha ha! 🙂 Remembers when we were going on a honeymoon to Italy and Sicily in July and one of us packed 3 woollen sweaters before I stopped the madness and they had to stay at home 😉 .
21 June 2018 - 13:41