Planning a trip can be the most exciting time but, when it comes to figuring out what to wear the stress begins to surface. This Saturday, March 30, 2019, I am leaving for a 30 day trip to the West coast. For the first 20 days I will be in San Diego and then I head up north for work to Portland, OR. Both trips will not only have different climates but, I need options for both work and pleasure and it all had to fit in one suitcase. Below are my packing tips for a 30-day trip!

Tip #1: It is important to select items of clothing that work well together and can be used interchangeably. To do this you will want to stick with solids, neutrals and if you choose a couple of items with patterns, make sure they are within the same color palette. For my trip I did a lot of black, gray, mauve, and some floral patterns.

Tip #2: Fabric should be quick dry, light, and versatile for multiple climates. Remember, if you are traveling from warm to cold climates, you can always layer.

Tip #3: If you are traveling for an extended period of time looking around the area where you are staying for a laundromat. This way, you can stick to only bringing the essentials and when you run out, you can make a trip to do a wash. 

Tip #4: Make sure to check the weather before you head out on your adventure. You may not be able to see each day of your trip but, you can get an idea to plan ahead.

Tip #5: Figuring out which shoes to bring is one of the hardest areas for me. A simple tip is to bring no more than 3 pairs that match all your outfits. I suggest one workout sneaker, one casual pair of flats and one pair of heels or other night-out options.

Tip #6: Know the culture of the locations you are visiting. If you are traveling to a location that encourages residents to dress modestly, you will want to make sure you pack clothing that covers your shoulders, mid-section, and legs. You can accommodate this with layers (i.e. a light cardigan that you can use for both modest environments or if it gets cold).

Tip #7: Get yourself some Gonex compression packing organizers. I got mine on Amazon and they are amazing. You are able to pack clothing but, compress it to save space and make sure all your items fit in that one suitcase. Be careful with your weight limits though. Looks can be deceiving.

Tip #8: Get your toiletries when you arrive at your destination. Yes, there are the essentials you will need to bring like your makeup, medicines, etc. However, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc. there is no need to pack it.

Tip #9: If you are traveling somewhere that occasionally rains and gets cool at night get yourself a dry proof jacket that is lightweight and compact. When I went to Peru I knew nights would get cold and in the jungle, rain could come out of nowhere. I got myself the perfect jacket on Amazon at a great price. It’s not the warmest but, with the material that it is just putting a cardigan underneath makes all the difference.

Tip #10: Wear your bulkier clothes on travel days. Where ever you are going you may want to bring a sweater and jeans for those cooler days/nights. The best thing to do is to wear those on your travel days. This way you do not have to take up any room in your suitcase.

Bonus tip: Don’t forget to make a copy of your ID and Passport when you travel and keep in a separate area from your originals. This way if something happens, you have the documentation you need to go and get replacements.

Whether for a week or more, if you stick to these packing tips for a 30-day trip you should have no problem fitting everything into one suitcase.

Happy planning!

XoXo Sara

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