Short trips often entail the challenge of packing efficiently. To maximize the enjoyment of your brief getaway, it’s crucial to streamline your luggage and bring only the essentials. While it’s essential to know what to pack, it’s equally important to know what to leave behind. Here are four items you should avoid bringing on a short trip to ensure a hassle-free and comfortable journey.
Preparing for a brief journey can prove to be a more intricate task than gearing up for an extended vacation. When you have a multitude of activities lined up for a short span, opting for a minimalist approach is essential. This is particularly crucial if you wish to avoid lugging around bulky luggage or incurring exorbitant baggage fees.
While you might be well-versed in the essentials required for your upcoming weekend getaway or business excursion, recognizing the items you should omit from your packing list can further streamline the process. Here’s a list of what should be excluded from your luggage on short trips.
Excessive Packing
Adeela Hussain Johnson, the President of BÈIS, which recently unveiled its Commuter Collection tailored for brief journeys, underscores the importance of not overpacking. “The key is to pack light,” she advises. Regardless of whether you’re using a carry-on or a weekender bag, it’s essential to acknowledge the limited available space and plan accordingly. For instance, when embarking on a business trip, bringing an additional dress shirt may be prudent. However, if your plans include swimming in the hotel pool, you probably won’t require more than one bathing suit.
Uncoordinated Clothing Choices
The inclusion of clothing items that lack mix-and-match versatility will only increase the weight of your luggage. Johnson emphasizes the need for coordinating clothing, shoes, and accessories to facilitate easy and space-efficient outfit combinations. “Neutral bottoms are highly practical since they can be paired with different colored shirts, which are smaller and more convenient to pack, affording you the option to include a few extras.
Excessive Toiletries
If you typically follow a ten-step skincare regimen, you may need to streamline it when you’re traveling. Johnson recommends using a BÉIS Dopp Kit for organizing your beauty and skincare products, allowing you to include only those that fit within the kit. She explains, “You can place your toiletries in the upper compartment and your makeup in the lower one.”
When it comes to cosmetics, opt for multitasking products, such as foundation with built-in sunscreen or a hair product that serves both as a de-frizzing agent and a finishing touch.
Handbags and Shoes
That Lack Versatility Handbags and shoes can consume valuable space and add significant weight to your luggage. While it might be tempting to include those ultra-high heels for a single night out, it’s wiser to choose something more versatile that can be worn throughout your entire trip.
The same principle applies to bags, as pointed out by Johnson. She states, “Versatile bags are the way to go.” She goes on to explain, “A convertible weekender is an excellent choice because it’s perfectly sized for a short trip. Upon arrival, you can unzip the bottom and leave it behind, transforming the top section of the bag into your everyday tote.”
Additionally, Johnson recommends bringing a crossbody or sling bag. She notes, “Crossbody or sling bags are ideal for any type of trip, and for a short one, they can serve as essential carriers for travel documents and your daily essentials. These bags are also great for carrying snacks, which are always handy.