A Dozen Tips for Traveling Light

Everyone wants to travel light, in one carry-on bag, but sometimes it just doesn’t seem possible. At one point in my career I was gone 40 weeks a year. I was a road warrior and learned how to travel light and efficient and somewhat fashionably.

The questions start with outerwear; warm coat, rain coat, jacket or sweater? Then there is the question about the number of shoes one should bring. Pants, shirts, skirts, or dresses depending on the season and where you are going and what you are doing.  What if you are traveling to various climate zones? What about your electronics and beauty supplies? A basic rule is keep to one color scheme, and if you are like me, and coffee somehow misses your mouth, go with darker tones. Overdress rather than wear trendy casual or you may find yourself sticking out like a fashion don’t.

Here are some suggestions to get your travel plans packed up:

1. You can shop for clothing or shoes wherever you are for whatever you did not bring
2. I f you are bringing new shoes, wear them prior to leaving to make sure they are not going to give you any problems
3. Pack a pashima. It can dress up an out-fit or keep you warm or wrap around your waist for a cover-up, or over a blazer or jacket for extra style and warmth
4. Bring layers like T-shirts that you can wear as a first layer or alone
5. Pack a few pieces of underwear and socks, you can always wash-out
6. Bring just a  few favorite pieces of jewelry that can add quick style
7. A sleepwear item that packs easily and affords modesty, like pajamas from Haralee.Com
8. Small size beauty and personal products that you use every day
9. A light-weight reusable bag for shopping, the beach etc.
10. Battery chargers, cords, and headsets for phone and other electronics including your camera
11. Empty zip lock plastic bags
12. Copies of plane tickets, reservations and important phone numbers found on your mobile phone (in case that gets lost or goes dead or is unusable)

If you have a light weight half empty bag, tip #1 is a fun activity for bargains or local interest items. If you find some things you are dying to buy but know it cannot fit into your bag, mail it to yourself.  A large shipping box from the Post Office is often much less expensive than checking your bag, or paying for an over- weight bag.

Any other tips to add?