If we could go back and talk to our younger selves as we packed for our first trip together 27 years ago, we would say one thing: “Put it back. You don’t need it.”
In the early days, we were “just in case” packers. We packed for every possible weather event, every possible social occasion, and every possible medical emergency. We hauled more clothes or suitcases than we really needed, and we felt like we were slaves to our luggage.
Fast forward to today, and we’ve are on our way to reaching a state of “packing Zen.” Whether we’re heading out for a week-long cruise or a month-long land adventure, our philosophy has shifted from “what might I need?” to “what can I live without?”
Here are the hard-won truths we’ve picked up over the decades:
- The Power of the Color Palette: We pick a base color (usually navy or brown, earth tone) and make sure every single item of clothing we pack coordinates with it. If a shirt only works with one pair of pants, it doesn’t make the cut. If one pair of shoes can’t be worn with multiple outfits, then find a different pair of shoes.
- The Cruise Compromise: Cruising changed our packing game slightly because of “formal nights.” However, we’ve learned to use accessories—a nice watch or a pocket square—to dress up a standard suit rather than packing three different outfits. We have also found that on most cruises that have a formal night, it’s not really formal. The one exception we have experienced is the Queen Mary 2, where formal nights are very formal, but a lot of fun.
- The Power of Put It Back: When I start to pack, it’s in my head. I make some notes about the number of travel days, and whether laundry will be an option. I then pull out all of the clothes I think I need, and then I normally cut those in half, using the color palette and mix-and-match planning as I lay out my clothes. As an example, on our most recent cruise, I thought I needed more clothes, I packed about half, and there are still items that I have yet to wear – 12 days later.
An additional benefit to packing light enough to carry on all your bags is that not checking bags not only saves you time on both ends of flights, it gives you more flexibility when delays occur. What is the first question you get when you ask to switch flights? It is: “Did you check a bag?” If you didn’t check a bag, you are far more likely to be accommodated on an earlier flight of your flight is cancelled or delayed. It’s the ultimate in travel flexibility.
The biggest mistake people make is packing for their “fantasy self”—the person who suddenly starts working out every morning or wearing fancy hats. Pack for your real self. If you don’t wear it at home, you won’t wear it in Rome. Trust us.
What is the one item you always pack but never actually use? It’s time to leave it behind!
