I’m lucky enough to go on frequent holidays and even though I’m a seasoned traveler, packing for a holiday remains a challenge. Packing for longer term trips (3 weeks or more) is the toughest, but even short trips will require a bit of planning to make sure you look great while on holiday.
My packing routine
This week I’m going on a short trip of one week to sunny Cebu in the Philippines. It’s going to be a holiday with lots of sun, lunches at the beach and diners in the evening. I don’t think it will be cold at all so packing for this trip is relatively easy. It will take me about an hour.
This is what I usually do while packing for a short holiday
- I select all my favorite outfits of the moment that would be suitable for the trip on and place them on the bed
- I make piles for dresses, skirts, tops, bottom and outerwear
- Then I’ll start thinking about the amount of outfits I will need for the trip. How many evening outfits. How many beach outfits, how many cold weather outfits etc.
- I will then match the clothes and put them into little capsules. For example: if you have a top, skirt, trousers, cardigan, blouse, dress in the same color scheme, you can turn those 6 items into multiple outfits suitable for various weather conditions.
- I chose 1 flat and 1 dressy pair of shoes for the capsule
- For my long trips, I will need to be really strict and create good capsules as my suitcase will fill up really quickly. And let’s face it, as we get older, we are increasingly less capable of carrying heavy suitcases, so I’m always trying to keep them as light as possible (not always succeeding!)
- I choose the accessories that suit my capsules
How do you pack for your holidays?
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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I am so happy I found your site….my son is flying me to Singapore for a holiday and I felt embarrassed asking him for advice on how to pack and what to take…As a “Jr. Sr.” …I need to be practical and comfortable…but not “dowdy”….Thank you for your advice….
How about a 60+ course?
Glad the info helped you! My site and course is for everyone over 40 and I don’t think there is much difference between 40+ and 60+ in terms of dressing. There are actually quite a few ladies of 60+ in the style course….
Also, you may find this article even more useful https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-in-singapore-a-visitor-tourist-guide/
Shoes are always my problem. Usually my outfits demand matching shoes but when I have to walk a lot, I need my support soles. And they fit in only a limited pair of boots and shoes. Furthermore I get blisters on my feet very easy in summer. Very very easy. So I have to change shoes a lot. But I am doing pretty well with packing for 3 to 4 days. If we go away for 2 weeks, we’d better go by car. I am known to take about 12 pairs with me……
You are right that shoes are hard to pack. I often go for 3-5 week holidays by plane and shoes always add a lot of weight. That’s why I stick to a capsule these days. That way I only need to bring shoes in 1-2 colours that would fit with all the clothes. On those trip I also pack some solid walking or sport shoes. If the shoes give me issues then I will just have to buy a (cheap) pair locally..
It doesn’t matter where I go or for how long. I only take 3 complete outfits. Of course they are designed to mix’n’match. I also double up on the underware. Depending on the season I’ll pack either a sarong or a pashmina.
Oh, you are good! I wish I was that disciplined….
I learned a lot from your ideas. I try to limit myself to just a few outfits and then bring hats and scarves to change them up. My suitcase it comprised of accessories! Love the capsule idea.
That is a good idea too!
I have two children in college so I can not afford a holiday – LOL! But your “capsule” ideas are excellent. I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach. 🙂 I love your colors – soft and pretty.
Yes college is very expensive…. Very hot here sofar. It’s a challenge to protect my skin!