It’s fun to be on the go, but it’s less enjoyable to schlep around. When you’re traveling this season, why not make your journey as easy as possible? A carry-on is the way to go, and you don’t need that much in it to have a stylish vacation. We spoke to Lydia Mansel, travel journalist and founder of travel site justpacked.com, for her top tips to make your trip tidy and tasteful.
Play Doubles
When selecting items for your trip, aim to get as many uses out of each item as possible. “For a beach vacation, I always bring a pair of breezy pants, the kind you can wear over your bathing suit or with a cute, simple top for dinner,” she says. “A simple halter top … is another piece that can be easily dressed up for dinner, but it’s still acceptable for a more casual meal or activity.” She also likes to include a matching set for mixing with other pieces and a versatile pareu (a wraparound skirt). Lastly, Mansel uses a large tote or straw bag as her personal item for the plane so it can easily transition from the air to the beach. “If there’s room, I’ll sneak in a clutch,” she says.
Choose Shoes Wisely
Shoes can eat up a lot of space in a carry-on, so Mansel suggests selecting three pairs: sneakers for travel and exercise, sandals for the beach and casual wear and heels or wedges for the evening. “If you don’t need to dress up on your trip, feel free to skip the heels. If you do pack them, you’ll have to fit the heels in your suitcase, but the sandals can easily slide into your personal item bag,” she says.
Plan, Plan, Plan
One week before departure, start gathering your trip essentials. Mansel recommends placing them on a chair separate from your other clothes and beginning to include your travel toiletries at this point. The day before departure, Mansel lays everything out and narrows it down, which involves “asking (and re-asking) myself if I’ll actually wear each individual item on my trip. If I hesitate on a particular item, I know it has to be left at home,” she explains. Once the decisions are made, Mansel likes to use packing cubes to stay organized.