TIP SERIES : TRAVELING

Do you still check a bag?

I think it's outrageous what airlines charge to check a bag these days. At least $25 each way, and you better not go one little ounce over 50 pounds or you'll pay major overage fees. Then, you cross your fingers that your expensive suitcase doesn't get damaged by the baggage handlers. That's if your bag even makes it to the correct plane. There are so many things that can go wrong when you check a bag. I prefer to carry-on, no matter what length of trip I'm taking.

Since moving to the West Coast, I frequently take trips back East to visit family or for work. I never, ever check a bag. People, especially the men in my life, are always surprised when I arrive at the gate with nothing but a carry-on suitcase and a laptop bag. Women frequently ask me how I even fit one week in the bag I carry, let alone two. I thought it would be worth showing you how I do this.

Know Your Destination + Activities

For this particular trip I'm going to the beach one week with family, and then in an office environment for the second week. I'm lucky that my office is a casual one, but I still like to look pulled together and strive for "creative casual" like the look Marissa Webb is so famous for.

To see the outfits I've put together for two weeks and more travel tips, continue reading.

Choose Dual Purpose Items

I always try to make sure each piece can be worn two ways. Lightweight fabrics that pack flat and can be layered are ideal. Solid v-neck tees are your best friend. You can wear them under a blazer with jeans and heels for work, a casual skirt with sandals for a night out at the beach, or with leggings for hanging out.

My other best friend is the knit pencil skirt. I bought every color of these from Target, and they've proved to be perfect travel companions. They're wrinkle resistant, they pack super flat, and they dress up or dress down easily. I plan on wearing them to the beach and to the office.

Select Your Outfits

Include your shoes & jewelry. Don't take 80 bracelets. Pick a few select pieces that work with everything or that you can mix & match. I usually take 5 bangles, my watch, two long necklaces, a pair of statement earrings and a pair of stud earrings. Pick one belt that makes an impact that can jazz up a plain dress, that you can wear at your waist over a cardigan, and neutral so it matches everything. 

Use things like a casual white collared tunic as a bathing suit cover up. Mine has a slight wrinkle to the fabric so a little extra wrinkle or two from the suitcase doesn't look out of place.

Choose your shoes judiciously. You don't need a pair for every day. In the spring & summer, I take a pair of wedges that are office appropriate and a pair of flat sandals that can go from the beach to dinner. During the fall, I generally wear riding boots on the plane and pack a pair of ballet flats and ankle boots.

Take at least one nice dress. You can wear it out for a nice dinner or with flats for a casual look.

Once you've selected your items, lay them all out. I like to take photos of each outfit with my phone. That way, when I'm traveling I can reference the photos. This also serves as a way for me to check that I have enough items and looks without making a list.

At the very end, I choose a few extra items. Emphasis on few. You never know when plans change, you spill something on your shirt, or you just don't feel like wearing what you brought. For me, this includes a few extra tees, my trusty black blazer that can take an outfit from casual to office wear, and a chambray button down.

Learn To Fold Like A Pro

I cannot emphasize the importance of learning how to fold clothes properly. For me, this is a skill I honed while working at Gap during high school. For the rest of you, I suggest tutorials by Martha (who else?) How to fold a tee, a button down, and jeans or pants. Keeping your stacks of uniform size and shape prevents wrinkles and takes up less space in your suitcase.

Try to wear the bulky items on the plane as long as you can remain comfortable doing so. In the fall and winter, this means wearing your jacket onto the plane, or in the summer I'll be donning my beach hat through the gate until I can place it under my seat.

Use A Hard Sided Suitcase + Push The Limit Of Your "Personal" Item

I realize it seems counter-intuitive to use a suitcase that limits the amount you can carry, but trust me on this one. A hard sided suitcase helps compress the items and keep them from wrinkling. I chose a lightweight, spinner wheel model to zip through the airport and make it easy to lift above my head into the bin. Even when it's packed solid, I can maneuver this suitcase with ease. To keep it organized on the inside I use this large packing cube for clothes and these small packing cubes for accessories. This turns a cavernous space into neatly organized compartments for all my essentials.

In addition to the carry-on, utilize space in your personal item. Think outside the box when you're selecting a bag to find options that are stylish but spacious. Mine is actually a designer diaper bag (stay with me) by Nest made from genuine leather with classic gold hardware. It has tons of pockets to keep things organized, it's built to withstand a lot of wear and tear, and since it's big enough for my MacBook Pro, I use it as a work bag after I arrive at my destination. 

This bag is large enough to hold a whole outfit and an extra pair of shoes, my laptop + iPad, a large bottle of water, a collapsible plastic container with a meal, and a clutch that doubles as my purse and wallet for the trip. And while it sounds too huge to be considered a personal item, its dimensions qualify and it slips easily underneath my seat or the one in front of me.

And just in case you didn't believe me that it all fits, here's a packing diagram for you.

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Where To Get It

Top Left: VS Tank | Mossimo Grey Boyfriend V-Neck | Nine West Wedges (Similar) | Mossimo Skirt | Loren Hope Samba Necklace | J.Crew Bracelet (Similar) | J.Crew Earrings (Similar)

Top Right: Alfani Tunic (Similar) | Kut From The Kloth Jeans (Similar) | J.Crew Bathing Suit | No Label Hat (Similar) | Mossimo Sandals (Similar) | J.Crew Bracelet (Similar) | Lydali Bangles | Bauble Bar Bangle (Similar)

Middle Left: Mossimo Maxi Dress (Similar) | J.Crew Cardigan | Ann Taylor Necklace (Similar) | Mossimo Belt (Similar) | Mossimo Sandals (Similar) | No Label Hat (Similar)

Middle Right: VS Tank | Loft Sleeveless Blouse (Similar) | Mossimo Skirt | Loren Hope Samba Necklace  | Mossimo Sandals (Similar) | Fossil Watch (Similar) | J.Crew Bracelet (Similar) | Lydali Bangles | Bauble Bar Bangle (Similar) | Kate Spade Studs | Nine West Wedges (Similar)

Bottom Left: No Label Hat (Similar) | Mossimo Grey Boyfriend V-Neck | Ann Taylor Necklace (Similar) | Kut From The Kloth Jeans (Similar) | Merona Shorts (Similar) | Mossimo Sandals (Similar)

Bottom Right: No Label Hat (Similar) | Black Jersey V-Neck Dress (Similar) | J.Crew Earrings (Similar) | Nine West Wedges (Similar)

Extras: Madewell Chambray Shirt | Mossimo Blue Boyfriend V-Neck | J.Crew Striped V-Neck (Similar) | Mossimo Green Boyfriend V-Neck | Lauren Conrad Blazer

Bags: Samsonite Suitcase | Nest Shoulder Bag | Eagle Creek Black Packing Cube  | eBags Red Medium Packing Cube