The way people dress when they travel could easily support a whole anthropological research. "Germans dress like that so they're prepared for an emergency", told me once a German traveler, when I probed him about the unsavory khaki pants and pocketed vest he was wearing. Some Israelis, on the other hand, seem to pack everything they'd leave behind if their house caught fire; ripped shirts, old pants, ratty jackets. Japanese tourists always look like they're posing for a blog.
Personally, I pack as if a trip is just an extension of real life. There's only one little hickup - in real life, your whole closet is never out of reach. When traveling, all you have is a suitcase. Choices are inevitable, but there's hope.
Personally, I pack as if a trip is just an extension of real life. There's only one little hickup - in real life, your whole closet is never out of reach. When traveling, all you have is a suitcase. Choices are inevitable, but there's hope.
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On my recent trip to Colombia, I had to pack for summery and transitional climate, for exploring mountains and for vacationing at a resort town, for urban environment and for nature setting. This was a classic little-bit-of-everything trip, the kind custom 'pack light' guides you often read in magazines just can't master. So, after a pretty successful packing experience (I over-packed, sure, but let's not mention that...), I decided to use my experience to compile the 10 keys items every suitcase could use.
12 Key Items for (Almost) Every Scenario
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These suggestions are borrowed from my very own suitcase, and although they may seem strange at first sight, you'll have to trust me on this one. Let's go clockwise from left together:
- A striped, long sleeved shirt goes with everything and always looks polished, cool and appropriate (not to mention you'll blend right in - at one point on our trip I looked around, and 3 other women, presumably local, were sporting striped alongside mua).
- White sneakers are such a leap (in the classy direction) from any other possibility. I'm always on the lookout for attractive shoes you can walk and walk in, and these Keds a surprisingly successful last minute choice.
- Patched or distress denim. If you're packing jeans anyway, why not make them slightly less boring?
- A bold, colorful skirt - for those moments when the sun comes out and you don't feel like utilitarian chic.
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- Denim cut-offs, since I hate hiking in sportswear and I assume so do you. Besides, the humble denim shorts are the vacation LBD, endlessly versatile and appropriate for a myriad of occasions.
- A fun dress for nights out and candlelit dinners, and by 'fun' I mean flirty, sexy, ruffled, and laid-back. I packed a flower printed Betsey Johnson which didn't photograph well, but made me feel like a resort maven.
- More tops: at least 3 high-quality, fairy loose tank tops (my choices: beige, black, tan), an embroidered puffy blouse (because nothing says 'time off!' like embroidery), a denim button-up for chic double-denim outfits and layering.
- A really cute backpack, to avoid the 'tourist' look but still pack all you need for the day.
- A jumpsuit/dungarees. This one is the shortest route to feeling stylish and sharp while you stroll the streets of this or another town. Plus, a room saver - pants and shirt in one!
- Light weight, golden flip-flops or sandals; a quick upgrade for a casual look, and much better than rubber Havaianas.
And just like that, in 12 items, my packing upped its game. I also packed: a wool cardigan, a leather jacket, and ballet pumps, and felt pretty put-together through the trip, while being active all day. No heels!
- A fun dress for nights out and candlelit dinners, and by 'fun' I mean flirty, sexy, ruffled, and laid-back. I packed a flower printed Betsey Johnson which didn't photograph well, but made me feel like a resort maven.
- More tops: at least 3 high-quality, fairy loose tank tops (my choices: beige, black, tan), an embroidered puffy blouse (because nothing says 'time off!' like embroidery), a denim button-up for chic double-denim outfits and layering.
- A really cute backpack, to avoid the 'tourist' look but still pack all you need for the day.
- A jumpsuit/dungarees. This one is the shortest route to feeling stylish and sharp while you stroll the streets of this or another town. Plus, a room saver - pants and shirt in one!
- Light weight, golden flip-flops or sandals; a quick upgrade for a casual look, and much better than rubber Havaianas.
And just like that, in 12 items, my packing upped its game. I also packed: a wool cardigan, a leather jacket, and ballet pumps, and felt pretty put-together through the trip, while being active all day. No heels!