Traveling should be an enjoyable, comfortable and picture-worthy experience. Packing right can help achieve this. At the same time, hurried or unplanned packing can lead to harassing and uncomfortable experiences, or it can overburden you with unnecessary luggage. Your pictures and videos from the trip will be most valuable to retain the memories and also to share with friends, and these pictures can look very attractive if you plan what you pack. We share some simple factors to consider while planning what you pack for an upcoming travel, in this three-part blog.
CLOTHES
Factor 1: Destination and climate.
Understanding the climate and nature of your destination is paramount in deciding what to pack. The weather forecast for your exact duration of travel can be obtained from popular weather portals like Accuweather etc. Consider the day time temperature, wind speed, humidity, and possibility of rain for planning your outerwear and daytime wear. Since most of the evening or night time is spent indoors, use this only to guide your outer layer for the evenings.
Warm or humid weather: Carry light and cotton clothing, but multiple change options, as clothes get soiled often due to sweat and dust.
Cold or moderate weather: Carry light warm clothing, but use multiple layers (like- thermal undershirt, overshirt, sweater, jacket, stole or muffler etc.) as it is easy to layer on or off depending on your comfort. Layers also help in creating multiple style combinations for a fresh look.
Extremely cold, windy or wet weather: Carry warm and light innerwear for comfort, but carry one or two outerwear depending on how cold the weather is. When facing adverse weather, the functionality of the clothing will matter more than its look.
Travel tip: Warm clothing does not need to be heavy, light wool/acrylic with an air sealing outer layer can make it suitable even for skiing. A windbreaker is light and a very useful travel hack, which can be compactly packed in a bag pocket but pulled out for wind protection when the need arises.
Factor 2: Duration of Stay and Activities.
The length of your trip and planned activities will greatly influence your packing list. Tailor your packing list to include gear and clothing suitable for any planned excursions (e.g., hiking, swimming, skiing). For regular sightseeing and leisure activities consider the below:
RULE OF THUMB – For travel duration between 5 to 14 days
Day wear – carry two changes per day.
Evening wear – carry two to four formal wears for the evening, unless more formal events are planned
Night wear – carry one night wear for every two or three nights, with a gown to cover during room service or to sit in a balcony.
Underwear – one for each day of travel with option of light and dark colored, to coordinate with your clothing.
RULE OF THUMB – For travel duration greater than 14 days
Find out laundry options during your entire trip, ideally in the middle of your trip. This will help you manage within your luggage allowance. These laundry options can include – coin operated laundromat (most long-stay hotels have one), complementary laundry (many hotels offer certain pieces of laundry complementary for long stay guests), express laundry services outside the hotel (usually more economical), lastly hotel laundry services.
Alternatively, if you plan to shop clothing for yourself, planning it in the middle of the trip can help provide you a few more clothing options.
Day wear – carry one change per day. (assuming at least one laundry cycle)
Evening wear – carry four to six formal wears for the evening, depending on the number of formal evenings planned.
Night wear – carry one night wear for every three to four nights, with a gown to cover during room service or sit in a balcony. (assuming at least one laundry cycle)
Underwear – one for every second day of travel with option of light and dark colored, to coordinate with your clothing. (assuming at least one laundry cycle)
Travel tip:
- Choose versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down to suit different occasions.
- Instagram tip for warmer weather – choose whites and pastel colored upper wear for day wear coordinated with bright colored bottom wear or vice versa. These can be coordinated with accessories like – hats, sunglasses, beach bags, sarongs etc.
- Instagram tip for colder weather – choose brighter colors for day wear as most outer wear tends to be dark and boring for pictures. These can be coordinated with accessories like – hats, sunglasses, mufflers, stoles etc.
- Instagram tip for all weather – Accessories, outer wear and props are more unisex than we believe, so feel free to swap with you partner or friends to create interesting combinations.
Factor 3: Applicable travel essentials for your own requirement
Certain travel essentials apply for all – comfortable walking shoes, swimming trunks/suit, a rain jacket, sunglasses, a hat, a travel sewing kit, a formal white shirt with trousers and leather shoes for men, a cocktail dress with heeled sandals for women, flight pajamas for longer flights.
Consider any specific events or your regular requirements to carry suitable clothes. These can include – traditional clothes for festivals or to meet family, dresses for a particular occasion like wedding, gym clothes, bags, belts and accessories.
Travel tip: While best of clothes and accessories are recommended for holidays, but you need to be conscious of packing expensive or emotionally valuable clothes or accessories. Travel is fraught with mishaps like – lost baggage, belongings left behind in hotel rooms and pick pocketing in crowded areas, and mugging in secluded areas.
Factor 4: Dress code and cultural norms.
Research the local customs and dress codes to ensure you’re respectful and appropriately attired. This is especially important for countries with a strong religious code of conduct and for places of religious importance or public areas like museums. These dress codes could include – no parts of the body being exposed like arms or legs, or could include covering the head with a scarf.
As an example, many of the luxury hotels in London require extremely formal attire with ties, jackets and dresses for evening tea. Most casinos in south of France require formal clothing. On the contrary, you can find yourself overdressed at a beach in Southern Europe or Brazil.
Packing for international travel need not be a daunting task. With careful planning and consideration, you can ensure you have everything you need for an unforgettable adventure. Remember, less is often more, and a well-organized suitcase can lead to a stress-free and enjoyable journey. Happy travels!
Thanks for reading. Please share your views and experiences with us. If you would like to know more, or have suggestions for another topic to be covered in this blog, please do write to us at info@corporatetravel.in
Corporate Travel Private Limited 