How early should you pack for a long trip?

Plan what you want to pack a few weeks ahead of your trip, but don't pack your suitcase until a few days before. During the planning process, you will have time to find things and even stock up on any items that you might not have.



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Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

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“Start at least one clear day before. Pack what you have and note what you still need to pack.” But be wary of packing too early. I've learned that it's easy to start packing a week before and then forget what you've packed. A day or two before you travel is ideal.

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Packing List for a Seven-Day Trip in One Carry-On Bag
  1. 5 shirts.
  2. 3 shorts or skirts.
  3. 2 dressy options (mix and match with accessories and outerwear)
  4. 1 outerwear — sweater or jacket.
  5. 1 pair sneakers.
  6. 1 pair dressy shoes.
  7. 1 pair flip-flops.
  8. 1 hat.


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For Trips Lasting 6-10 Days Meaning, the sweet spot is roughly four to seven shirts, two to three pairs of pants, and two sets of pajamas. The limit is seven shirts; assuming you're not sweating through them like you're in the Sahara, you can re-wear one or two.

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About 4-5 clothes are plenty for a 2-week trip assuming you will be doing laundry.

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The Best Ways to Pack Your Clothes
  1. Pack Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics. ...
  2. Roll and Fold Items. ...
  3. Arrange Clothing Thoughtfully. ...
  4. Cover the Pile With a Dry-Cleaning Bag. ...
  5. Follow the Rule of Three. ...
  6. Have Your Shoes Do Some Work. ...
  7. Place Shoes Into One-Gallon-Size Resealable Bags. ...
  8. Group Similar Products in Sealed Resealable Bags.


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In a ten piece capsule wardrobe always bring more tops than bottoms. Depending on whether you also bring dresses, five-seven tops is a good guideline. One or two basic tees, a button-down, a couple of blouses and any other top that catches my fancy.

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How to Avoid Overpacking for Vacation: 10 Useful Tips
  1. Make a checklist beforehand.
  2. Pack a mini capsule wardrobe.
  3. Choose outfits ahead of time.
  4. Replace full-size toiletries for travel size.
  5. Book a destination with a laundry service.
  6. Consider packing multipurpose footwear.
  7. Avoid packing items “just in case”


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Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

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What NOT to pack for travel
  • Multiple pairs of jeans. My jeans that go everywhere with me. ...
  • High heels. ...
  • Shoes you haven't broken in. ...
  • Workout gear if you don't regularly work out at home. ...
  • Things you may only use once. ...
  • A different outfit for every day. ...
  • A laundry line. ...
  • A bunch of hair styling tools.


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Your best bet is to pack three. Whether you're going away for a long or a short trip, remember you'll be doing laundry. Handwashing with gentle soap is best, but if you use a machine, make sure your bra goes in a garment bag; always air-dry, never tumble dry.

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Sleepwear. Whether you sleep in t-shirts and sweatpants or complete pajama sets, about two pairs of pajamas will be enough for a weeklong vacation. However, if you're someone who likes slipping into fresh pajamas every night, then you may want to pack extra loungewear, space in your luggage permitting.

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Most frequent travelers swear by the “3 pairs of shoes” rule, which is to pack two pairs of functional and comfortable shoes and one pair that's a little more formal and dressier. Some travelers would say you can make do with just two pairs for the entire trip.

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“As a general rule of thumb, if I'm going away for a seven-night beach holiday, I'd pack two to three pieces of swimwear (so that they have time to dry in between), a pair of shorts and a couple of skirts, four tops that match all my shorts and skirts, and a dress in case I go somewhere special,” Mak told AFAR in 2017.

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