Deciding What to Pack

When preparing for your trip, one of your first major challenges is to decide what to take with you. Are you an efficient packer who can select a few key items and fit them all into a carry-on bag? Or (like the rest of us), do you simply try to cram your entire closet into the largest suitcase you can find, which you can barely lift, let alone carry?

Planning the amount of clothes that you take on vacation should not be based on how much you can fit into your largest sized bag. Instead, you should carefully think about what you NEED to take, and use the smallest sized bag that will contain these clothes, as well as provide the mobility that you need on the trip.

Here are a few tips that should help you to decide what to pack.

1. First, take a look the itinerary for your trip. Think about how many days you will be gone, what you'll be doing (swimming and sunbathing, or sightseeing and eating out at restaurants) and what the weather will be like.

2. Then make a list of the clothes that you think you'll need to take based on the decisions you've just made.

3. Once you have made your packing list, look at it again, and start cutting it down. Most people never wear everything they've packed, and many of their clothes simply sit in the suitcase or drawers for the entire vacation.

4. To cut your list down, think about the following:

• Do you need a new outfit every day, or can you wear something more than once?
• Can you consolidate your wardrobe by mixing and matching outfits?
• Can you hand wash your clothes, or do they need to be professionally cleaned?
• How many pairs of shoes do you REALLY need?

5. There are many ways to maximize the use of your clothes.

• Try bringing just two pairs of shoes: one for dress and a comfortable pair for casual activities. In this way, you can wear one pair for the journey, and pack the other.
• Pack wrinkle-resistant clothes of compatible colors, which will enable you to mix and match outfits.
• Use sample-size toiletries, which you can seal in plastic bags to prevent leakage.
• Think about packing clothes that you can hand wash at your destination; although many resorts offer a cleaning service, this will often be relatively expensive.
• Don't try to pack for every eventuality. Most destinations will have well-stocked shops with anything you will need.