How to Travel Light

Now is the time where summer heats up and the flights take off. Many of us plan family and summer vacations when the weather is nice and friends and children are out of school. But what to pack!? Many of us over pack for trips and end up lugging heavy bags around with clothing we don't even wear. How can we avoid this mess? By planning ahead and selecting versatile ensembles, we can eliminate clutter and travel lightly!

The first thing you must do as a traveler is select items that can be re-worn again and again. The trick to this is to pick simple pieces that are not obvious if you wear them two days in one week. A sturdy pair of cute jeans can go a long way and create a plethora of outfits. No one will know the difference if you're wearing the same pair more than once a week. The same goes for a good cardigan and sandals. Try to limit yourself to one or two pairs of shoes that go with everything. Gravitate towards neutral colors for all of your looks.

You should also know what your plans are when traveling. If you're traveling for fun or for pleasure, your suitcase will look very different. For business travel, you should select things that don't need much ironing. A pair of black slacks will go a long way. A slouchy blazer and two long sleeve blouses can be reworked for a pencil skirt or pant ensemble. One pair of flats, a pair of heels and one bag completes your travel needs!

If you're going for a more casual trip, you should pack some of your fun pieces. You only need about 14 articles of clothing to mix and match and make over 30 ensembles! You can also accessories to make your outfits appear different. Know the climate and events you'll be attending to plan accordingly. Try the Travel Fashion Girl blog for more ideas on casual travel outfits. 

Overall, follow the five tips listed above. Pack versatile pieces that mix well easily and be sure they re a thin fabric that makes your suitcase light. Avoid dry clean and iron necessary items and pack comfortable functional items. Finally, accessories are small easily packable ways to change up your outfits. 

For more travel tips check out the One Suitcase graphics here for versatile outfits and ideas! Visit blogs Outfit Posts and Styling in Style  for the full stories!

Enjoy your travel this summer and remember to pack light!