It’s vacation season and if you’re jetting off to a dream location, it’s important to plan ahead and pack like a pro. Always consider the destination, weather, activities you’ll indulge in, and most importantly the local culture and dress codes. These common travel and packing mistakes can ruin your travel style along with your holiday. “Packing for vacation is a bit of an art form. Be organized, write a list, and think through your outfits for every occasion and ideally coordinate them for maximum versatility,” says fashion consultant and personal stylist Sarah Meikle.
1. Outdated and Worn Luggage
Before we even get to the packing part, it’s worth investing in stylish, durable high-quality luggage or you risk looking like a novice (or worse poor). Brands like Away, Rimowa, and Paravel might be more on the expensive side but they come engineered with functions, pockets, and sleeves to streamline your packing and often offer a lifelong guarantee. Cheap, outdated, bulky, worn-out luggage won’t last and will make you look like a novice tourist (or worse poor). I spoke with seasoned travel experts for Forbes who shared their best weekender bags, carry-ons, and cabin luggage.
2. Don’t Overpack
Packing too many clothes is the most common mistake that can make your luggage bulky and put you at risk of additional luggage fees according to the travel gurus at Conde Nast Traveller. “I advise clients to lay out what they think they will need and then edit, edit, edit, “says Meikle who offers this advice for a week-long trip. “Follow the 5-4-3-2-1 rule. Five tops, four bottoms, three accessories, two pairs of shoes, and a swimsuit if you’re going somewhere sunny. A cute sundress that will take you from the beach to dinner is also a good idea.”
3. Beware Underpacking
You also don’t want to underpack and be caught off guard as this can also ruin your look and trip. “Take into account the destination, weather, and your planned activities. You can get away with a lot less for a beach holiday. If you’re exploring a city and going for fancy dinners you’ll need good walking shoes and going-out clothes. And if you’re going hiking or doing extreme adventure travel you’ll need the right gear,” Miekle advises.
4. Check the Forecast
Part of planning ahead is checking the weather forecast. Many tropical destinations have a rainy season, so you’ll need wet weather gear and the right shoes. Ditto, if it’s super hot or arctic temperatures you need to pack appropriate clothing for the climate according to this guide by Real Simple. Failing to pack properly for different climates and destinations can put limitations on your adventures which is a major downer.
5. Respect Cultural Traditions
It’s important to respect local cultures, traditions, and dress codes. Do your research before heading to foreign countries to ensure you pack appropriate clothing as this can be a sign of disrespect and cause awkward, uncomfortable situations. Pack loose clothing and scarves if you need to cover up, remove your shoes at places of worship, and learn the local etiquette for greetings and whether or not it’s OK to take photographs.
6. Pack Essential Accessories
Accessories can make or break an outfit and on vacation items like belts, hats, jewelry, and scarves can instantly update a look and add some personal style. They also don’t take up much room in your luggage. Remember the 5-4-3-2-1 rule and take a cute belt, a statement piece of jewelry, and a scarf, which can come in handy if you need to cover up and also double as a blanket in-flight.
7. Embrace Space Savers
The art of packing like a pro is to maximize space and ensure your items are safely and securely packed. Rolling clothes might take up less space in your suitcase, but it can also mean more wrinkled clothing (who wants to iron). Packing cubes and sleeves can help you organize your items efficiently — it’s best not to pack your shoes and toiletries with your clothes. And pack a laundry bag so your dirty items don’t make your luggage smelly.
8. Shoe Overload
You don’t need to pack every pair of shoes, they take up too much space and weight and you’ll never wear them all. Think versatility. As a general rule of thumb, you need two pairs of shoes, a chic pool and beach slide or walking shoe for city explorers, and something a little dressier if you’re heading out.
9. Travel Style
Vacation style is different from your usual style and versatility is the key. Buy a chic, comfortable dress or set (ideally in classic styles and neutral shades) that you can wear on multiple occasions or mix and match—remember you can rework it with different shoes and accessories. “Part of the fun of traveling is also shopping, so that’s another reason not to overpack,” says Meikle.
10. Overdressing
Vacation dressing should be effortless and regardless of the destination and climate you don’t want to over-dress — that’s a surefire way to stand out like a tourist. Steer clear of logos, crazy prints, and colors, heels if everyone is wearing flats and clothing that is too hot, stuffy, and restrictive like jeans and blazers. Black can look heavy on vacation.
11. Handbag Faux Pas
Taking the wrong handbag for your destination and climate is also a common fashion mistake. A heavy, structured work bag is too stiff for vacation travel unless it’s a business trip. Play it more low-key with a casual tote bag (canvas is chic and durable) that can carry all of your essentials, handle a little rough and tumble, and will complement your travel wardrobe.
12. Good Grooming
A vacation might be a chance to unwind but that doesn’t mean you should be lazy about your grooming and personal hygiene. Attend to your maintenance, get your hair cut, cover those grey hairs, get a manicure and pedicure, and keep up your skincare regime.
13. Cosmetic Checklist
Full-size toiletries are heavy and necessary so buy travel-size versions of your go-to essentials. It’s important to have a good toiletry bag, as loose products can spill and ruin your clothes. And be sure to pack adequate skincare products and toiletries. You don’t want to overdo the makeup when you travel, but a tinted moisturizer, mascara, lipstick or balm, body moisturizer, shampoo, and conditioner, and a fragrance are must-haves. Don’t forget any medications and first aid kit items.
14. Always Take SPF
Regardless of your destination or the weather, you should wear SFP every day especially when traveling. “Wearing sunscreen is my top skincare tip to prevent sun damage and aging, ” says cosmetic dermatologist and skin surgeon Dr. Carole Hazan. Not only is sunburn a bad look when traveling, but exposing your skin to the sun’s harsh UV rays damages the DNA in the skin cells which can speed up aging and cause fine lines, wrinkles, and unsightly brown aged spots.
15. Travel Smart
Being a smart traveler means being a safe traveler. Check travel warnings for the countries you are visiting, invest in travel insurance, and always keep your passport and valuables in a safe. It’s also important to have a luggage tag on your suitcase as airlines lose thousands of bags daily and arriving at your destination without your suitcase after all that diligent packing will ruin your trip in an instant.