Packing clothes for a long trip is usually no big deal. Between the length of the vacation and the luggage size, you can bring just about everything you think you’ll need, just in case.
Things get a little trickier when packing for a short trip – something over the span of a few days instead of a week or longer. For starters, there’s a good chance you’re aiming for carry-on luggage only, limiting your options right out of the gate. Combined with wanting to bring everything you need and leave everything else behind, packing clothes and footwear becomes a hassle.
With this in mind, we figured we’d provide a “cheat sheet” for women who don’t feel like overthinking their weekend trip packing options. The following are the best clothes and shoes to bring for a quick vacation:
Tops
It’s tempting to throw every top you can cram into your suitcase, but doing so takes up way too much space. In case you get cold, pack one sweater. However, to save space, avoid bringing more than one bulky top. If you insist on bringing more than one sweater, wear the other on the plane. Given their comfort, support, and versatility, consider packing a women’s bodysuit or two. Doing so leaves extra room for classic tees and tank tops.
Pants and Leggings
Leggings take up very little space in your luggage, so consider packing several pairs. However, you’ll need more than yoga pants to make it through a short trip. A pair of denim jeans will prove essential as well. Fortunately, several tops mentioned above go perfectly with leggings or denim, whether it’s a sweater, bodysuit, or t-shirt. With that said, do yourself a favor and try on your jeans before putting them into your suitcase. Nobody wants to find out they used precious luggage space on clothes they won’t wear because they don’t fit the way we want.
Footwear
Chances are you can’t go wrong with a pair of sneakers, a pair of dress sandals, and a pair of street sandals. While your first instinct might be to wear your sandals on the plane, consider rocking the sneakers instead. That way, you save some space in your luggage for other items. Just keep your laces loose until you get through airport security!
Dresses
Maybe you want to go out for dinner one evening and hit the club scene the next night. If so, you’ll want something nice to wear for both situations. We recommend packing a little black dress along with a brighter, bolder statement dress. Which one you wear for dinner and which one you wear for dancing is entirely up to you!
Swimwear
Assuming you’re comfortable wearing different swimsuits, consider a similar approach to swimwear that you take with dresses. Pack a two-piece and a one-piece. That way, you have one in case you’re feeling extra sexy and another if you don’t. Regardless of the type of swimwear you prefer, the key is to bring something you feel comfortable wearing. Again, you don’t have room for anything you won’t wear!
Accessories
While accessories don’t seem to take up a lot of space, they add up fast and usually need to be stored inside smaller protective bags or containers. Given the low chance of needing an assortment of bracelets and earrings while on vacation, consider skipping the jewelry and opting for other ways to accessorize. For instance, if you own an Apple Watch, a small collection of different watch bands could be enough to add variety without taking up too much space. A few pairs of cheap but stylish sunglasses can also spice up any outfit with minimal packing required. Perhaps try coordinating the watch bands with the sunglasses for a striking highlight to your style.
It’s hard to believe, but packing for a short getaway can be harder than packing for an extended voyage. Between the limited space and limited time, travelers have to make crucial decisions on what to bring. Fortunately, a core list of specific clothing items and footwear can do wonders for saving space without compromising on style. While everyone’s sense of fashion is different, the basic yet stylish options mentioned in this article are sure to be suitable for most readers.
