Vacation Checklist for Your Suitcase

HOLIDAY CHECKLIST FOR YOUR SUITCASE

And just like that, summer is already on the horizon. Time flies when you’re having fun! Have you booked your vacation yet, or are you still in the “anything-is-possible” phase? Camping with the kids, a romantic getaway with your sweetheart, hiking with your workout buddy, yoga with your ego—sorry, we mean your spouse, of course, haha. Whatever type of vacation you choose, the one thing they all have in common is that ★♯&*^%$ suitcase that needs to be packed. The theory (the excitement of planning, putting together outfits) and the reality (I’m only a part-time minimalist, and why don’t elastic suitcases exist?) are often worlds apart.

We took a deep dive into the subject and consulted Google and our own inner circle. We’ve compiled the best and most useful tips into a list. Here it is.

1. THINK IN OUTFITS

Pretty obvious, but still. Lay a pair of pants or a skirt on the floor or on your bed, and place the tops that go with them on top. A good ratio is 3 tops to 1 bottom; that way, you can create 3 outfits with just 4 items. By the way, did you know that fashion brands structure their collections this way too? They design 3 to 4 tops to go with 1 bottom. Simply because you tend to buy more tops. #funfact

But now back to the topic at hand: the outfits for your suitcase. Put together a few of them—the amount depending on the length of your vacation— and you’re all set. As for bottoms, definitely include shorts and/or a skirt. A pair of skinny jeans or leggings for the trip itself, nice and stretchy so you arrive without deep vein thrombosis. And a pair of loose-fitting pants or a cute dress—don’t let the mosquitoes have an all-you-can-eat buffet. With that same idea in mind, pack 1 or 2 long-sleeved items as well; cardigans or blouses are handy for layering.

As for shoes: flip-flops for the beach, sneakers for day trips. And if you really can’t do without heels? One pair at most. The art of knowing how to set limits :-) Are you traveling by plane and really need to bring a coat? Or that one warm hoodie? Then wear it on board. It would be a waste to use up your precious baggage allowance on it.

See below Nic’s favorite travel outfit from Plein Publique.

2. A BASIC COLOUR SCHEME

WITH ROOM FOR EXCEPTIONS

Point 1, of course, means nothing without point 2. Everything does need to go together, depending on your taste and style (admittedly, the over-the-top, flamboyant look has its fans, but the majority of blog readers are still a bit more low-key). We once read about someone who only packed black and white items when traveling, so that everything would automatically match. That might be very pragmatic (says Ilse, who wears nothing but black), but she does have a point. If necessary, throw in a few bright colours for when you want to go wild—after all, you’re on vacation. That said, this minimalist strategy doesn’t work for extreme control freaks.

We read about an influencer who pre-checks the destination on Instagram and packs items that contrast with the places she’ll be visiting. She could totally outshine the Taj Mahal with her bright yellow jumpsuit. Cultural barbarella.

3. MULTI-TASKING DOES THE TRICK

There are certain pieces of clothing you can wear in multiple ways. We’re all familiar with the classic “swimsuit-as-top” look. But what about the maxi skirt? Pull it up above the knees and style it with a belt. Pair a T-shirt with a skirt or pants in the same colour, and you’ll transform your outfit into a dress or jumpsuit. It’s not exactly rocket science, but we thought we’d mention it anyway. This next trick, which you’ve probably seen more often at the beach, is for the more advanced: with a little practice, you can tie a large shawl or pareo into stylish little dresses.

4. PUT A SOCK IN IT

Underwear. Not to forget. Count your underwear, or take half and do a load of laundry in between. The harsh hotel shampoo works great for this—it’s not just for show. Stuff the cups of your bras. Put a sock in it! That’ll keep them in great shape. Or pick up one of those hilarious bra travel cases. Of course, it’s a Chinese invention, like so many pointless-yet-entertaining-and-insanely-tempting life hacks. while browsing for relevant images, we came across many more hilarious examples that are completely off-topic. Duly noted nonetheless.

5. TRAVEL-QUALITY

These days, there are many clothing items available made from fabrics described as “travel-quality.”

What does that mean?

It means they don’t wrinkle (or wrinkle less), are lighter in weight, dry lightning-fast, and are highly breathable.

Why is that?
Because “travel-quality” fabric is virtually 100% synthetic. No, don’t pull that face just yet; today’s synthetic fabrics have nothing to do with those Terlenka one-size-fits-all pants your grandma used to wear (which, by the way, are coming back into style #funfact). “Synthetic” is certainly not a dirty word when it comes to yarns and fabrics; in many cases, their properties are even better than those of 100% natural materials. These fabrics are masterpieces of high-tech ingenuity, developed by specialized engineers who have perfected every detail down to the last (plus) point. The fact that many of these fabrics were developed under the banner of Italian fabric houses indicates that they’re also right on trend.

Most travel fabrics are made of jersey (a fine machine-knit fabric), which isn’t always visible to the naked eye but certainly enhances comfort. Add a little Lycra or elastane, and voilà—we can add excellent shape retention to the list. Stretch to match. Shop around—a few of these indestructible items in your suitcase will pay for themselves in hassle-free comfort.

Travel Jersey Collection

6. BITS & BOBS

Some travel essentials don’t fall under the category of clothing, but still deserve a spot on this list. Cosmetics, a travel first-aid kit, electronics… the modern traveler carries quite a lot to survive in a way that’s both stylish and functional. Cosmetics and related items are risky—bottles can leak.

#TIPFROMILSE

Putting a piece of plastic wrap over the opening before screwing on the cap can save you a lot of mess.

Ziplock bags are also handy to bring along; use them to carry your bottles and jars, keep your socks or underwear dry when it rains, or use them to keep your foreign currency separate if you’re visiting multiple countries outside of Europe. We once gave a Thai taxi driver the time of his life when we paid him from the wrong compartment of our wallet. Ka-ching (and no, that wasn’t the driver’s name).

7. EVERYTHING'S GOING SMOOTHLY

IT'S A WRAP

Made your choices? Got your piles organized? Then let’s dive right into packing the suitcase… yeahhh. The key is making the most efficient use of the available space. Opinions are divided on the smartest way to do that. Specifically, between Team “Fold” and Team “Roll.” Japanese整理整頓 guru Marie Kondo, who advocates for a tidy and organized way of life, swears by a combination of both methods. On YouTube and Netflix—polished to a shine and with a slightly maniacal smile—she folds jeans, sweaters, and shirts into perfectly straight origami-style bundles. If the final result can stand upright on its own, the mission is a success. Items that are a bit more prone to wrinkling, she rolls up as if they were sushi. The folded items are placed in the suitcase like books on a bookshelf, with the rolls standing upright—the result looks suspiciously like a sushi maki box. Miss Kondo’s cultural background is undeniable. And we’re already getting tired just writing down the steps, let alone actually doing this in real life.

Not willing to skip your matcha shot on the plane? Or do you absolutely want a dab of SPF 50 during your pit stop at a gas station? You can buy mini versions at your local drugstore for travel. Is your favourite product not available in a mini size? At those same drugstores (okay, Kruidvat and Etos), they also have mini bottles and boxes.

#TIPFROMNIC

The next time you’re at the perfume shop buying your favorite fragrance, ask them to fill a tester-sized bottle with it. That way, you won’t have to lug that beautiful but heavy bottle around on your trip. You can just pack it in your carry-on.

Did we help you out a little? With some common sense and the intention to make decisions, that suitcase will fill up just fine. Vacation is all about enjoying yourself, so don’t overthink packing. If you’re missing something, just buy it when you get there. If you’ve packed too much, give some things away to the locals. Make some friends along the way!