spring break guide: pack your bags

It’s that time of year again. A time of busting out the bikinis or shredding the slopes or going to some random town you’ve never heard of because your parents say it sounds “fun.” Yes folks, it is once again Spring Break! Whether by boat or by plane or by train or by car, you’re probably taking this week to travel somewhere. But no matter where your travels take you, you’re going to need to pack a suitcase (or two, or ten…). So here are some tips for packing smart so that your vacation is less stressful and more fun:

Personal bag

No matter where you go, you’re going to need some kind of purse/bag/backpack/what have you to keep all personal belongings in. Here is my advice concerning that – the bigger, the better. That doesn’t mean use a suitcase as your personal bag (lol that would be funny). It means, think about the things you’re bringing that you couldn’t imagine living without, and put them in something to keep them as close to you at all times as possible. Then, think about what you’ll need in order to be most comfortable on your journey. That should be what’s in your personal bag.

For a bag big enough, I suggest the Original Tote by Lilly Pulitzer, or something of similar size. It will be big enough to hold all your travel necessities but small enough to be considered a “purse.” “But Sydney,” you say, “I don’t want to carry this thing as a purse the entire trip! What do I do??” Glad you asked! I suggest packing an actual purse in your luggage so that you can switch over when you get to where you’re going. Either a crossbody or a Longchamp will fit into luggage without taking up much space.

What to pack in your personal bag:

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*Note: after I made this collage, the pink cup sold out! I instead linked to the turquoise cup. Sorry for the inconvenience! 

Carry-on (my wayward son)

Sorry, I just had to! The carry-on bag mostly applies to if you’re travelling by plane, but it can also apply to anyone bringing two suitcases. Your carry-on bag is the bag you take on the plane that goes in the overhead compartment. I repeat: GOES IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. Please do not be that person who is constantly fishing things out of their carry-on. That’s what the personal bag is for! Instead, your carry-on should be your “my luggage got lost in transit and all I have to get me through the next two days until my luggage (hopefully) arrives is this” bag.

Indeed, your carry-on should consist of the things you would need if your luggage was lost and you needed some things to survive off. Therefore, it should consist of a couple of shirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of all-purpose shoes, basic toiletries, and undergarments, and anything else you couldn’t live without. That’s it. Just the necessities to get you through a couple of days.

When I say “basic toiletries,” I mean basic. Like, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash. And because it’s carry-on, you can only have travel sizes of everything. Why not shampoo, conditioner, and body wash? Well first, most hotels give these things to you complimentary. So if you were stuck without them for a couple days, you could probably make do with the ones at the hotel. Also, I tend to use a LOT of these things when I take a shower, so travel sizes won’t do it for me for a week. I would pack them in my checked luggage and use the hotel samples if I have to. Or, pack emergency travel sizes in my carry-on AND big bottles in my luggage.

What to pack in your carry-on:

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Luggage

After you've packed your carry-on and personal bag (or before, or at the same time), you'll probably take a larger suitcase full of even more clothes (because you can never be TOO prepared, amiright?). For plane travel especially, I suggest a hard suitcase, or a suitcase with a sturdy frame. In order to fit as much as possible in that thing, be sure to utilize space by rolling some thing and folding others, packing shoes on top, and using that mesh pocket at the top. You'd be surprised how much you can fit in a regular suitcase if you are creative enough with how you pack.

So whether you're spending Spring Break in Cancun or your aunt and uncle's house in Minnesota, you're sure to be well-packed with all the right things in the right way. I wish I myself were able to jetset to some awesome place, but so far my plans involve working and going home. Instead, I'll just help you with your travels.

Stay tuned! Next week, I'll be posting more guides to an awesome Spring Break 2013! 

Much love,

Sydney