Pack Light While Still Looking Fashionable

I'll admit it. I absolutely love packing. Freak that I am, I actually look forward to it before trips. Because of my obsession I've read a lot of packing books and articles and I've noticed a common theme in most of them. I don't want to wear what they tell me to. Often its boring, utilitarian clothing or a sarong that can be worn for all occasions. Sorry, but I can think of many, many times it is not cool to wear a sarong and tevas. I'm no fashionista, but I still want to look cute on my trips. So here are some of my tips for looking stylish while keeping luggage to a minimum.

1. Choose a color scheme and stick to solid colors
If you limit yourself to no more than 4 colors that all coordinate, all of your tops and bottoms will match and you will be able to make multiple outfits out of the same clothing. Yes, that means you will probably be re-wearing some of your clothes during the course of your trip. And thats really okay. Unless clothes get really sweaty or dirty they can be worn multiple times between washes. If it really bothers you, pack a small container of laundry soap and wash things in your hotel sink. Packing only solid colors makes it much less obvious that you are wearing the same shirt than if you wear prints. Also, only bring accessories that match your color sceme and you will be able to mix and match them as well.

2. Wear flats
If you struggle with bringing too many shoes with you on trips, consider bringing only flats. They take up much less room in your bag and can be worn for both dressy and casual occasions. This gives you more options with less space taken up in your luggage. Wear sneakers or boots on the plane and you should still have room for a cute pair of ballet flats or loafers or both in your carry-on bag.

3. Don't bring things that need a lot of "attention"
When I'm considering clothing for travel I try to not bring anything that needs to be ironed or taken special care of in any way. This lets me roll my clothes which I've found to be a much more efficient way of packing. Sweaters are especially good for this because they don't show wrinkles as much. Blends work better than natural fibers at resisting wrinkles. I have a little black dress that I can literally roll up into a ball and it still looks perfect when I take it out.

Hopefully these tips will help you on your next trip!