6 Packing Tips I Learned From My Grandma

6 Packing Tips I Learned From My Grandma

Throughout the years I’ve learned to always take advice from my Grandma (aka Gummy). I see many traits within me that have been passed down from her, and I’ve truly grown to love her as one of my best friends. She is one of the most influential women in my life, and never hesitates to enlighten me with tips and tricks she’s learned by living life to the fullest.

As you know, I’ve been open about some of the anxiety I experience on a semi-regular basis, and I’ve come to realize that one of my triggers is traveling. Regardless of whether it’s a short domestic flight, or traveling across seas to a foreign country, I always feel a sense of urgency to bring everything under the sun with me as a way to cope with my worries. Luckily, a few years ago my Grandma was able to help me out with some of the best advice for how to travel as stress-free as possible. Today I thought I’d share her tips with you in case you experience similar feelings:

Organize and prioritize. I’m definitely the kind of person who likes to be fully prepared for any type of weather or unlikely situation that could happen while traveling. Because of this, my Grandma taught me to plan outfits and items I’m packing at least two or three days before my flight. This helps me think about if I’m really going to need a particular piece of clothing, or if I can do without it. It also helps me to visualize what I’m going to wear each day and how I can mix and match different items so that I’m packing smarter and not stuffing everything from my closet into my suitcase. A great packing solution I always like to use are packing cubes – which are great for separating your clothes/toiletries, making it much easier to find things when you arrive at your destination.
Don’t be flashy. Never assume that buying the most expensive designer suitcase will get you an upgrade to first class – instead, it’s more likely to attract thieves at the airport and while you travel. It’s better to be a bit more inconspicuous and opt for a lightweight option. I personally love my Away suitcase set – they’re thoughtfully designed, reliable, and modest.
It’s okay to repeat outfits. My Grandma always says that you should wear the same outfit on both your flight to your destination and on your flight back home. It’s also important to know that it should not be frowned upon to repeat your outfits while you’re away (or when you’re at home for that matter), it’s good for the environment! Repeating outfits when you’re traveling helps save a lot of space in your suitcase, especially when you layer for the plane rides. I always wear my heaviest items (like a cozy, thick sweater and shoes that are a bit bulkier) on the plane so that I can be sure to have everything else I need nice and organized in my suitcase. Plus, it gets cold on planes, so it’s nice to layer up when you’ve reached cruising altitude.
It’s all about accessories. Accessories don’t take up too much room in a suitcase, and they bring personality to your outfits. I tend to pack a bunch of neutral clothes, apart from 1-2 standout pieces, and then I accessorize to mix up my outfits for each day I’m away. I also make it a priority to buy new accessories while I’m traveling, as I find they accentuate an outfit all while igniting the memories you’ve made from the places you’ve been – so you can always bring a piece of your trip home with you.
Always invest in a good garment bag. One of my favorite garment bags is from Hudson and Bleecker, it’s extremely durable and any type of dress or skirt will be able to fit inside of it (it’s especially great for those fancy items you don’t want getting wrinkled in your regular suitcase). I always worry that my delicate, more expensive items will get ruined on the ride to wherever I’m going, so having a garment bag I love and trust helps to ease tension while I travel. And pro tip – airlines won’t count them as your “carry on” when going through security, so your check in will be seamless.
Remember your must-haves. This is probably my favorite tip from my Grandma because it goes hand-in-hand with easing anxiety and remembering to enjoy where you are and to feel lucky to be there. I can’t go anywhere without my favorite moisturizer, concealer (just in case I get a break out, which happens to me often after flying), and comfortable shoes I know I can walk miles in. For me, those items are my safety-net. They help me to feel at ease. I don’t wear glasses, but items like glasses/contacts, medication, and your favorite pair of pants should always be on that list. Once you reach your destination, you want to be as worry-free as possible, so don’t forget to pack your must-haves!