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Pack smarter for summer vacation

Rachel Nania | rnania@wtop.com

June 6, 2017, 1:32 AM

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No one cares if you wear the same thing twice, plus more travel tips (WTOP's Rachel Nania )

WASHINGTON — It doesn’t matter if you’re beach-bound for a weekend or plan to spend several weeks in Seville — packing for a vacation of any length is never as simple as it seems.

Should you make room for your running shoes in case you get the itch to use the hotel gym? You’ll have free time on the flight, but are you really going to whip out your laptop and knock out your “to do” list during your time off? Will you wear hot pink heels at the lake house?

Meg Biram, an entrepreneur and lifestyle expert, often tackles the topic of minimalist packing on her website megbiram.com. Here are her best tips for your next trip:

Do your research Whatever you do, don’t save packing, or at least the mental preparation part of packing, until the last minute. A little bit of planning can go a long way when it comes to being an organized traveler. For starters, check the weather. If rain is in the forecast, a compact umbrella and raincoat are a must — and maybe leave your favorite shoes at home. Think about the activities you have planned for the trip. Will you spend your time hiking through the mountains or perched under an umbrella on the beach? Knowing your schedule ahead of time influences the gear you’ll need while you’re away.   (Thinkstock)
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Suitcase with striped clothes and accessories in a marine style
Plan your outfits (and yes, it’s OK to wear things more than once) One way to free up some room in your suitcase is to plan your outfits ahead of time. (This beats throwing 20 random tops and a handful of sundresses into your bag “so you have options.”) Pick out specific outfits to wear for each specific day, and don’t be afraid to wear the same thing twice. “Where you’re going, chance are, no one knows you, so it’s OK to wear a dress more than once,” Biram said. If you’re concerned about the same outfit showing up multiple times in your photos, keep your look fresh by changing out a scarf or hat.   (Thinkstock)
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Pick the right size bag Be honest with yourself: Can you really fit everything you need into a carry-on bag? This is something Biram has to ask herself ahead of every trip, regardless of its length. “There are just some trips where I need to check a bag,” she confessed. Bringing a bigger bag isn’t a green light to pack more things you don’t need. Rather, it makes it easier to bring the essentials — such as a pair of boots or a jacket, depending on your destination. Bags that aren’t overstuffed are more organized. (Thinkstock)
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Cut down on accessories How many dress shoes do you really need? Even if you’re planning nice dinners out, chances are, you can get by with one pair. Biram says when it comes to packing accessories, take a look at the outfits you set aside and settle on a color scheme. (Her go-to palette is “neutrals.”)   “Try to stick to a scheme where you only need one set of accessories that go with everything,” she said, adding that bringing a pair of black or tan heels is a lot more sensible than packing an orange pair, a green pair and a yellow pair. If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, it might make sense to bring two pairs of comfortable shoes. If one pair rubs your feet one day, you can switch it up the next. For summer travel, sandals are the easiest, since many are flat and easy to pack. If you have a structured sandal that you don’t want smashed, wear those on the plane.   (Thinkstock)
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Cut down on accessories When it comes to handbags, stick to one. Like shoes, bags take up a lot of room in the suitcase. Biram’s advice when it comes to bags: Choose your most comfortable — especially if you’re on the move. “If you’re going to be doing a lot of walking, the bag that you’re going to be carrying around with you all day, you want to have a really thick strap,” Biram said.  Often, Biram will throw a thin clutch into her bag, should she want something smaller to carry to drinks or dinner out.   (Thinkstock)
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Trim the toiletries This is another area where it pays to ask yourself, “What do I really need?” Chances are, three bottles of hairspray won’t make the list. Choose products that have a dual purpose, Biram says, such as a moisturizer that can also remove makeup or a blush that works as a lip and eye tint. If you’re staying in a hotel, leave your own bottles of shampoo and conditioner behind. Your hair will be fine for a few days using the hotel’s products. Contact solution weighing you down? Depending on where you’re going, pick some up from a drugstore at your destination.   (Thinkstock)
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Suitcase with striped clothes and accessories in a marine style
Meg Biram’s 5 Travel Essentials

After years of traveling and “learning from past mistakes,” Biram has packing down to a science. Here are five essentials she never leaves home without.

1. A book

Biram always has a book when she travels. It serves as entertainment on the plane, relaxation in the room and amusement at the ocean. Often times, she’ll opt for a real book over an electronic version, citing that the glare from electronic reading devices makes it a challenge to read — especially at the pool or beach.

2. Portable phone charger

Biram doesn’t leave town — and rarely leaves her house — without her portable phone charger. Her Anker charger has two USB ports, so it can charge two devices at the same time. Having a portable charger is especially nice when traveling, since chances are, you’ll be using GPS and looking things up while on the move.

3. See-through bag for cords and electronic accessories

Biram keeps her cords, chargers and camera accessories all together in one bag (she uses this see-through case from Truffle), which makes them easy to locate.  

“I can just pull that bag quickly out of my carry-on and find the thing that I’m looking for, because I feel like that’s always the panic moment, right? You’re looking for something and can’t find it,” Biram said.

To keep her headphones from tangling with other cords, she stores them in a cord taco.

4. In-flight essentials

Similarly, she keeps her in-flight essentials (lip balm, tissues, eye drops and a pen) together in a bag so she can easily locate them when she needs them.

“When I’m on a flight, I only want to reach for one thing to get what I need,” Biram said.

5. A travel wallet

For international trips, Biram uses a travel wallet (such as this one from Cuyana) to keep track of important documents, including passports, train tickets, hotel reservations and currency.

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