How To Pack Like A Pro!

Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Now, before we get carried away, I should mention that I use the word “Pro” here very generously. The idea that anyone could be a professional at parting ways with more than half of their belongings and still maintain a smile and upward position (as opposed to a fetal one while crying), is nothing short of a miracle I’ve yet to fully grasp.

But alas, while getting ready to leave for a big trip is nothing short of exciting, here comes the mood kill by the name of Packing ready to steal your joy and remind you that those tie-dye shorts and 8-inch stilettos aren’t in fact, going to be worn on your trip, nor when you return, but keep holding on to them anyway, because #HoardersUnited.

In hopes of making this awful task just a tad bit more bearable, I’ve broken the packing down into categories which you can modify as needed, depending on your trip.

Many of you know with my Busabout Brand Ambassadorship schedule, my travels will have me in places as cold as the UK in winter, and as warm as Greece in the summer, so how exactly does one fit in four seasons, two of them extreme opposites, while only checking one bag of luggage?

I’ll get to that in a minute.

One thing to note, however, is that your carry-on luggage should essentially stay the same for every trip no matter where you’re going or how long you’ll be there.

What your carry-on should provide, is enough coverage to give you refreshment and entertainment for those long layovers and even a day or two after your arrival, in the case that your check-in luggage doesn’t make it to your destination when you do.

True story, my checked bag arrived 3 days later after I flew to Thailand last year. This was before I considered myself a functioning adult, so of course I had no change of undies and pretty much went commando for a couple days, because what is adulthood. #StillSessyDoeRye?

Despite letting my freedom ring, I still wouldn’t have minded having even a spare outfit! Local shops on the island also didn’t have underwear, at least not my size #bootylicious, so when and if this ever happens to you, you’ll be like, “DAMN, GLO, BACK AT IT AGAIN WITH THE CLUTCH INFORMATION!”

You’re welcome. So here we go…

CARRY-ON CRUCIALS:

1.) Paperwork

– 2 copies of your passport

– 2 copies of your insurance (travel/health)

– 2 copies of your emergency contacts
(I’ve listed an emergency contact for each continent I’ll be traveling to this year. This is optional, but if anything were to ever happen to you, not only would people know who to contact, but they’ll have back up as well)

– Printed address of hotel/hostel/accommodation
(Because technology sometimes sucks aka needs to be charged, you can’t always rely on your cell phone to hold all the information you need. Print out those addresses)!

2.) Valuables

– Laptop

– DSLR Camera/Canon Camera/GoPro Camera/iPad

– All chargers and converters for electronics

– Portable Battery Pack (so crucial, I recommend THIS)

– Emergency Cash… yes, all $50 of your savings still counts (at least that’s what I tell myself)

3.) Spare Outfit/Hygiene/Miscellaneous

– Spare Outfit & Undies

– Toothbrush & Toothpaste (disposable kinds that you can steal borrow from your dentist’s office work great!

– Basic Make-Up [for me, that’s my Mary Kay Liquid Foundation, Eye Liner, and Matted Lipstick (I use the color “Black Cherry” and think it looks amazing on darker skin tones]

– Wipes

– Deodorant

– Mini Hand Sanitizer

– Small Lotion (remember you can bring anything under 3.4 liquid oz.)

CHECK-IN LUGGAGE CHECKLIST:
Because I’ll be traveling for almost a year, I’ll be crossing into all 4 seasons, so I broke down my clothing based on seasons.

If you’re traveling for a month or just a couple weeks, try breaking down the categories by something like CASUAL, FANCY, ATHLETIC, etc.

WINTER

– 3 Pairs of Jeans
– 2 Coats/Jackets
– 3 Cardigans

SPRING

– 3 Sundresses
– 5 Tank Tops
– 3 Casual Shirts

SUMMER

– 3 Bikinis (all mixed & matched)
– 4 Skirts
– 2 Beach Tunics

FALL

– 5 Scarves
– 3 Long Sleeved Shirts
– 2 Leg Warmers
– 2 Beanies

More ideas for categories to help organize:

SHOES

– 1 Pair of Boots
– 1 Pair of Casual Wear
– 1 Pair of Pointy Flats

UNDER GARMENTS, ETC

– 3 Bras (everyday bra, workout bra, push-up bra #heygirls!)

– 10 Undies (9 thongs, 1 granny panty) KIDDING! Haha

– 4 Pairs of Socks (2 for sleeping, 2 for everyday wear)

– 1 Workout Outfit (let’s be honest, this will happen once a week if I get locked in a gym or something)

– Jewelry (watches, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets)

– Towel (optional depending on accommodation plans) This will be provided in 90% of the hostels and hotels you go to, and you’ll save a significant amount of space by not carrying one, but this is something that will vary depending on where you’re traveling.

– Diva Cup (FOR LADIES) I can’t stress this one enough! A great alternative to tampons/pads, my review coming soon!

For ladies stressed about the outfit shortage, the key is bringing as many accessories as possible. If you’re concerned about always having the same outfits on in all your travel pictures (hello problems, meet first world, LOL), then become a master at using scarves, hats, and jewelry to disguise clothes and trick people into thinking you own more than you do.

Frequent travelers, what’s one item you wish you packed before you left? Leave it in the comments below and maybe it’ll inspire an idea for someone else!

My list includes the bare essentials for me, but you can certainly go with much less, but this is for the average clothes freak in us all.

Check out my YouTube video of how it all went down!

Recommended Carry-On Luggage (Click photo to go to Amazon)

Recommended Check-In Luggage (Click to go to Amazon)