Get Packing: Ten Tips to Get You Started
Love to vacation, but hate to pack? You're not alone. Packing doesn't rate high on anyone's list of favorite travel activities. But it doesn't have to send you into a tailspin either. Just follow these ten indispensable tips and you'll be able to pack light, have plenty to wear, and be prepared for anything the weather or your itinerary throws at you.
One: Plan Ahead
Several days in advance of your departure date, spread out everything you think you need on a spare bed. Take an inventory. Is that second sweater necessary? Is that big tube of toothpaste called for? You get the idea. Keep streamlining until you have everything you need - but no more!
Two: Keep it Light and Easy
The importance of packing light can't be overstated. Many countries are short on escalators and elevators, and even rolling luggage has to be lugged up stairs. Your best bet? Put together a wardrobe using one main color and a couple of accent colors. That way you'll be able to extend your options by mixing and matching, and not by adding suitcases.
Three: Check out the Miracle Travel Fabric
Want to look presentable on vacation, without pressing or dry-cleaning? Luxurious micro-fiber - lightweight, breathable, and wrinkle free - is the ideal choice in jackets, pants, dresses or shirts.
Four: Try the New Wrinkle-Free Cottons
Nothing puts a wrinkle in holiday plans faster than clothes that rumple. But if you're a devotee of natural fabrics, which naturally tend to crease, what are you to do? The answer is the new wrinkle-free cottons. The best, which ensure even seams and collars stay crisp, give you all the comfort of cotton without any need for ironing.
Five: Wash as You Go
Pack light and still maintain a fresh appearance by bringing clothes you can wash and dry overnight. With the exception of superfine cotton, the best quick-drying fabrics are the new synthetics. Consider CoolMax® or Dri-Release®, especially in warmer climates. These high-tech fabrics feel soft as cotton, but wick moisture when worn and dry-in-a-flash after washing. In cold climates, polyester fleece also makes a quick-drying (and much less bulky) alternative to wool.
Six: Avoid the Pain of Stains
If you've ever ruined a shirt on the first day of vacation, the value of stain-free won't be lost on you. Nanotechnology, a breakthrough development in the apparel industry, creates billions of whiskery molecules on a fabric's surface that work to repel stains. Even wine spills rinse clean with a quick swish in the hotel sink.
Seven: Put Comfort First
Whether it's hefting bags into overheads or covering the Louvre on foot, most vacations involve some physical challenge. So make sure to pack a pair of shoes with thick soles and plenty of grip. Next, think stretch. Look for pants and skirts with discreet stretch waistbands (especially welcome after a big meal). The new bi-stretch fabrics offer plenty of give and take with no unsightly bagging.
Eight: Know What To Expect
Before you go, be sure to check on weather conditions and local dress codes. If you're dressed appropriately, you're going to feel a lot more comfortable. Bring layers to ensure you are prepared for unseasonable weather.
Nine: Get Smart About Security
Passports, credit cards and tickets can be safely and discretely secured in clothing with zippered travel security pockets. Rip-proof luggage, with Transport Security Administration approved locks, give TSA agents access to your belongings while deterring would-be thieves. And keep in mind airport security regulations: anything with sharp or pointy edges belongs in your check-on bag.
Ten: Bring Along An Open-Mind
Meeting people and discovering new things are what vacations are all about. Bringing along some photographs of loved ones can help you to make new friends. And simple things, like a lightweight travel robe, will help you feel at home anywhere on the planet.