I was working my closet over the other day as the summer has ended and travel for Fall is about to commence. As I sorted through my clothing I have made a decision it is time to clean out and donate quite a bit of stuff that is just not me. Styles change, just like the season and if I am not ‘feeling it’ it is time for the piece to take the journey to the donation bin. Sometimes the journey in between my travels is more streneous than the trips themselves as the journey into my closet has me working out organization and the ability to pack it up on a minute’s notice. This is my story of prepared planning, packing, an All Packed Duffle and a Jewelry Keeper that can get me through any weekend, as I lavishly live Travel Out Loud.
Take Stock Out of Your Closet
The little surprise in my bag spooked me and spooked her as you can see, but that did not stop my cleaning motivation. Bella ran away and I just kept on working. Did you ever think about just going out and buying stuff because the seasons have changed? Don’t!!! Take stock of what you already own and then go shopping, and yes this takes the most time. I like to go through all my clothes each season and see what’s a keeper and what is not. When items have stains on them, I see if they are wearable under my MOM hoodies and if they are just beyond help, they hit the rag bag or the trash. Clothing that neither fits, was an inappropriate buy or just has been sitting there for more than a season needs to go because trust me, it’s not going to get worn.
Look at your clothing and figure out which items can easily pack.. hint hint.. those that get tossed to the bottom of a laundry basket and still come out looking good are your best picks: tees, cami’s, sweaters, leggins.
Place the Travel Bag On Floor
I have wardrobe that boths packs well and other pieces that are just frustrating but have to travel. While I look into my closet I eye up the bag that I have to pack, by placing it on the floor empty, so I can try a few packing combinations. The bag you see in front of you is my Thirty-One All Packed Duffle. (Dotty Chevron Pattern)
Placing the bag on the floor keeps reminding you of what space you do or do not have and keep it simple. Try to pack a pair of pants that can multi-task on day 1 and day 3. Find shirts that start out on their own but when layered with a sweater and a scarf change the look for moving through different activities in the day.
As I stare down at my Thirty-One All Packed Duffle I visualize fitting in a few hoodies, and a few jeans.
I have a large side pocket with plenty of space to plop in undergarments and the special compartment on the one side lets me place a pair of athletic shoes, and boat shoes in with ease, while the inside mesh pockets let toss a few more pairs of ballet flats in. This is the perfect bag to use as a carry-on while traveling and it even has a detachable shoulder strap. The measurements on the Thirty-One All Packed Duffle are 11”H x 22”L x 12”D.
Keep Your Shoes Organized
Keeping your shoes organized is one of the best ways to keep your outfits pulled together because you are not searching for that shoe! I flew out to LA with only one-packed shoe because I forgot to keep looking for the missing shoe I wanted to take. If you keep your shoes in pairs you are certain to find them and I find that a CLOTHESPIN does the job nicely!
Think Packable vs. Not
What do I mean when I say packable? I mean things like sweaters, that can bend, stretch, roll and layer and look like million bucks no matter what it has been through. Think of a packable as a versatile piece of wardrobe that can be layered, undone and packed without the worry of creases and no need for ironing. Sweaters(Cardigans) are perfect as they match with shorts, pack, roll and never wrinkle(depending on the material) Don’t pick that linen dress out of your closet if you have to fold it one hundred times because you are going to have to either send it out to have it pressed or you will be in your room ironing it for hours! Polyesters travel well, as does Rayon, though I hate that polyester can really make you feel warm.. Guess you just have to suck up the warmth in return for calm packing, lol!
Keep Your Jewelry Organized
Just like shoes, jewelry often tends to get tossed, especially costume jewelry. Jewelry is the accessory that can make or break the outfit and that will pull your outfit together, but if the pieces are not where they belong like pairs of earrings, or sets of rings, then it is pretty much useless. If you can access your items quickly, you will more likely take them along, but you don’t want to wrap stuff in tissue paper or your socks, that just leads to disaster.
I use my Thirty-One Jewelry Keeper to keep all my travel pieces together. I actually just keep this packed all the time because the pieces in here are easiest and verstale, but feel free to change things up.
The Thirty-One Jewelry Keeper offers me 12 zippered pockets, and within all of that I have a whopping total of 24 compartments(see where my hand is above? That is a divided pocket so you can put sets of earrings in one side and another on the other! I get to sparkle a lot if I bring the right jewelry. Each necklace, ring, bangle, etc. can be stored properly and safely without worry of breaking and when you get home, just hang it up, until you have ‘time’ to put the pieces away, or leave it loaded. Note the handle at the top, that lets it be hung anywhere from a hanger to a doorknob. I also like putting my sparkly hair accessories(pins, barrettes) inside of here to keep them organized. Again, my world is all about matching I chose Dotty Chevron. 11”H x 10”L x 0.75”D
Travel is stressful enough, and the packing and unpacking can definitely put you over the edge, unless you are organized. Stop procrastinating and start packing, because when you are organized with great pieces from Thirty-One you have no excuses. Packing up while on a trip is totally uneventful because you are all organized and packing to go is just very easy. Keep your closet organized, your clothes packed and your Thirty-One bags ready to travel. It’s time to lavishly live life out loud and enjoy travel while avoiding packing procrastination. Where will your next adventure take you?
