Bus Plane Train Travel

How To Pack When You Have No Time

August 13, 2015

Confession: I’m a procrastipacker.

I wait until the very last minute to pack because I always assume it’ll take only five minutes. (Yes, even when I have to pack to go back to school for four months… My flight leaves in 36 hours and my suitcase is still somewhere in the basement).

Though through my many frantic throwing-everything-in-a-suitcase episodes, I’ve learned a thing or two about packing quickly while also packing well. There are six simple steps for how to pack when you have no time:

1. Pack by day

If you’re going somewhere for up to two weeks, think about packing by outfit. If you choose one pair of shorts, choose four shirts that can go with it. See, now you’re four days down, ten to go.

If you’re going somewhere for longer, pack by choosing what you can re-wear the most often or what goes with the most. So a shirt that only goes with one skirt might not be as good of a choice as a sweater that goes with everything you own.

2. Pack by “category”

Once you’ve got your clothing sorted out, think of any special events you might need extra things for. Birthday dinner? Throw in a fancier dress. Hiking? Throw in some athletic clothing. Swimming/beach-time? Throw in a bathing suit (and sunscreen!).

3. Pack the… intimates

Ladies, you might need a few different bras to go with different outfits. Throw ’em in.

Then pack your undies. This one’s pretty simple: if you’re going for nine days, pack ten (better safe than sorry, you never know if you’ll get pushed in a pool, sit in some ice cream or….). Then, alongside your undies pack anything special you think you might be in need of. Your favorite bra, your prettiest pants, or maybe even your True Pheromones spray – you never know, you might feel like meeting someone!

And socks!! I forget socks so often. Throw in at least a pair’a’day. No one wants to re-wear sweaty gross socks. Better safe than sorry!

4. Now for the shoes

Shoe should come near last because they’re heavy and the easiest to compromise on. As much as you may love both pairs of your Doc Martens, try to settle for just your Keds instead (they’re so much lighter and smaller). I usually bring one pair of day-to-day sneakers, athletic sneakers, sandals/flats and flip flops (and I’m usually wearing one of these to travel in). If you don’t have a light pair of sneakers to pack or wear on your travels, you may want to head online to purchase a pair of Nikes or something like that, especially as you can benefit from discounts and coupon codes from Raise to help you get a great saving on them. There’s nothing quite like shoe shopping, particularly when you grab yourself a great bargain!

5. Cosmetics.

I actually once went on a week long trip and totally forgot that cosmetics were a thing while packing. It wasn’t the end of the world, but it felt silly buying everything I needed just because I had literally forgotten everything.

Cover your basics first: toothbrush, brush, makeup. Most hotels (and friends’ houses) will have shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste for you. Only bring these if you’re picky because they’re heavy and prone to leaking.

6. Think.

Is there anyyyyything else you might need? Any gifts? Any electronics/chargers?

Don’t forget that you also have your carry on to stuff full of things like in-flight magazines, your passport and other important/entertainment stuff.

What kind of a packer are you? What packing tips do you have?

Also speaking of Time, I’m just going to leave this here (I laugh so hard every time).

*image from here

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  • charlotte carter August 13, 2015 at 08:24

    Just discovered your blog and love your content! Great post! I am going away to Bath this weekend and Paris next week so literally have no time to pack in between leaving and work. Thank you so much for your tips, i think I’ll need them this weekend!!
    http://www.alifeofacharlotte.com/
    x

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:19

      Aw that you so much Charlotte!! I hope these tips make your trips a little easier! (Have fun by the way!!!).

  • Dressed With Soul August 13, 2015 at 11:51

    Oh, so helpful for me! Thanks for sharing, I must really bookmark your post 🙂

    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena

    http://www.dressedwithsoul.com

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:18

      Danke, Rena! Es freut mich dass sie meinen Blog von Deutschland lesen!

  • Nora Gouma August 13, 2015 at 11:58

    Love the video very much, I watched couple of times and had to laugh a lot. Thank you for sharing and thanks also for the tips!!!

    xxx

    http://www.noragouma.com

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:17

      Ah I’m so glad it made you laugh (my friends and I know every word…). Glad you liked the tips too, Nora!

  • hannie blaise August 13, 2015 at 12:12

    very good tips indeed! and the video… omg bye I just can’t :”)

    Hannie,
    huemorist.blogspot.com.

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:16

      Glad you liked it! (I was worried it might scare people away hahah).

  • Alyssa Guttendorf August 13, 2015 at 12:36

    I read somewhere once that it helps to pick a color “theme” and pack under that umbrella, so you will always kind of have things that go together. Packing by outfit is a great tip!

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:15

      That’s a great tip, Alyssa. My closet is only three colours anyway (and mostly black… I blame NYC haha) but I’m definitely going to try this for my next trip!

  • Carla N August 13, 2015 at 13:21

    These are great tips!! And that video! xD I usually don’t mind packing, but unpacking is another story haha…

    http://lipstickandmocha.blogspot.com/

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:14

      I wasn’t sure if the video would scare away people or not but I’m glad you found it funny! Thanks for reading Carla!

  • Kat Horrocks August 13, 2015 at 15:22

    Love this! I think everyone procrastinates when it comes to packing. Lists get me through!

    Kat | http://www.kathorrocks.com

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:13

      Ah yes, lists are magical. Thanks for stopping by Kat! xx

  • Ela BellaWorld August 13, 2015 at 16:25

    Great tips, love it. My way of packing when I am in hurry – throw everything in even tho I wouldn’t ever need them haha xx

    http://www.elabellaworld.com

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:13

      I agree! Overpacking is definitely better than underpacking.

  • Champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk August 13, 2015 at 16:29

    My packing looks like this: panic, panic, throw everything in, too heavy, panic some more, edit, forget half the things…
    Ana
    http://www.champagnegirlsabouttown.co.uk

    • Pia S August 14, 2015 at 07:12

      Hahahh, I think we’ve all been there, Ana!

  • Albert Wijaya August 14, 2015 at 11:38

    So am I, always wait until the last minutes to pack. That video is gold! 😉

    Best, Albert | Palming Pebbles
    Palming Pebbles FB

    • Pia S August 16, 2015 at 08:16

      So glad someone else finds it amazing haha. Thanks for reading as always, Albert!

  • Deepti @ Endless Postcards August 14, 2015 at 15:12

    I always wait last minute to pack and end up overpacking — such an unnecessary hassle when I’m abroad! Thanks for this, I’ll definitely keep it in mind. I always underpack socks as well. 🙁

    xo, endlesspostcards.com

    • Pia S August 16, 2015 at 08:16

      Agreed! Thanks for stopping by, Deepti.

  • Simply Gemma Louise August 14, 2015 at 18:35

    This post did make me chuckle a few times! I especially loved ‘procrastipacker’ 😉 Everything in this post is so relatable and true & really quite helpful! I think I’d probably have a slight breakdown if I got to my destination and realised I’d forgotten a l l of my cosmetic items! Such a lovely post & a great read 🙂

    Xo Gemma
    http://www.simplygemmalouise.co.uk

    • Pia S August 16, 2015 at 08:17

      Yeah, forgetting all my cosmetics was not a fun time… So glad you liked the post, gemma!!

  • Laura Jane Atelier August 14, 2015 at 22:03

    These are some great tips, I really don’t like packing

    xo

    http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

  • Alyssa Monique Bustillo August 14, 2015 at 22:32

    Such great tips!

    Gotta keep them in my mind <3

    drop by my outfit post: http://styleccentricfashion.blogspot.com/2015/08/rocked.html

  • clara mcmillan August 18, 2015 at 00:11

    Love packing tip posts! I could always use more of those!

    God bless,

    XO, Claire

    http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.com