When sensational Sarah of Yes and Yes (two of my favorite words and definitely one of my favorite reads), approached me to guest post on Painfully Hip, I nearly pooped myself… it felt almost akin to Angelina Jolie asking politely if she could guest host on The Bonnie Hunt Show.
I thought I had the subject of packing light covered, but now she’s gone ahead and one-upped me like I’m, well, Bonnie Hunt.
Thanks so much, Sarah (I think)!
Do you guys actively fantasize about The Type Of Woman you want to be? My imaginary best self usually boasts a wardrobe of carefully selected vintage gear, makes witty commentary about current events (“Oh that Kim Jung Ill is just rapacious!”), owns a boxer named Steve and never, ever has to check her luggage.
While I may never accomplish the dog-ownership (my apartment’s too small) or the witty commentary (unless you count thinking of a clever comeback in the car two hours later) I think I can manage the luggage component of that fantasy. In fact, I’ve got this bit so down pat, I successfully packed for a weekend in Chicago using only my purse.
What? Yes.
Now, I grant you that my purse? Well, it’s rather large. But within its confines I managed to fit my netbook, camera, makeup bag, pajamas and two outfits. If you’re keen to try this madness yourself – a few tips:
Dresses are Best
Dresses are fantastic even when you’re not trying to pack in your purse – one thing! outfit complete! You can bring one cute dress and a few things to layer with it and viola – several outfits, you genius, you!
Accessories = Totally Different Outfit
Yes, I’m now applying for a job with the Obvious Committee. But it bears repeating – headbands/necklaces/leggings completely change the look of your ensemble, right? I brought a cute navy dress that I thrifted to wear on its own with a funky necklace as I poked around Millennium Park and shopped. The next day, I wore it with a little button-up and a different necklace when I met Winona of DaddyLikey fame for lunch and gossip.
The All Important Big Scarf
The big scarf. It elevates most any outfit, makes you look like you miiiight be European (or at least from New York) and it can double as a pillow/wrap/towel/blanket. When I got off the bus in Chicago at 6 am, I wandered around the city in my pajamas taking photos. When I stopped at a coffee shop for breakfast, I asked the barista if it was painfully obvious that I was wearing my pajamas and she assured me that it wasn’t. I credit my big scarf for this answer. And her desire for a tip.
Skimp on the Toiletries
If you’re staying with friends or at a hotel there’s really no need to bring shampoo/conditioner/lotion and the like, eh? They take up heaps of room, weigh your bag down and might spill all over that cute satin lining. Besides, I’m always partial to trying out my friends’ products to see if I’m missing out on anything.
The Patented Roll-Packing Technique
Any experienced packer will corner you to sing the praises of roll-packing. Rolling your clothes will keep them (relatively) wrinkle free and take up exponentially less space. If you want to up the level of anal retentiveness just a bit, you can put your rolled clothing in a separate bag inside your purse so they don’t come unrolled and mingle with everything else. You will also be less likely to pull out your black thong at Panera when you’re digging through your purse looking for change.
Would you ever pack in your purse? What are your packing tips?
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Great post! So true about the toiletries. When ever I go to up to NYC I insist on wearing heels, but I always have flats or flip-flops in my purse.
.-= Leila´s last blog ..Express Flats =-.
Finally someone else that see’s the importance of packing minimally!
Love Grace.
.-= Grace´s last blog ..Lady’s Got It =-.
I do roll packing though I have to say somethings really don’t like it. eg – cashmere! I once had to iron a cashmere/ cotton top five times over before I got the creases out from roll packing!
Love the blog by the way. will link you to mine.
Tomorrow x
http://www.inthebedroommirror.blogspot.com
.-= Tomorrow´s last blog ..What I Wore This Week – Saturday =-.
Hi, I just found you through Sarah E Melville http://s-melville.blogspot.com/), who designs my book covers. Fantastic blog.
How do your friends feel about you using their products!?
Great packing and accessorising combo tip. Get an ammo belt from your local army surplus store (don’t know what you call these shops in the US, but that’s what we call them in the UK – you can pick up all kinds of military clothing for next to nothing) and pack it with lipstick, mascara, and things like deodorant and alcohol gel all in travel size.
.-= Dan Holloway´s last blog ..Dan Holloway’s Crash Pad =-.
Of course you can custom the belt with paint, stitching, rhinestones, pretty much anything (there must BE and etsy store that just dos custom ammo belts? If not there SHOULD be!)
.-= Dan Holloway´s last blog ..Dan Holloway’s Crash Pad =-.
Love the article; however instead of roll-packing I’m a die-hard bundle-wrapper now (link! http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90297199) because it takes up even less space and less likely to wrinkle.
.-= miss morgan potts´s last blog ..a basic shopping list for the want-to-be-raw-vegan =-.
And that’s why I love my big-ish bags…they fit in what you need in a day or two!
Good post!
.-= Kat´s last blog ..Mango Girl in NYC: Day 2 =-.
good
Thanks so much for the opportunity ladies! I hope our fashionable travel paths cross! <3
.-= sarah von´s last blog ..Nurturing Your Long Distance Relationships =-.
This is the best advice EVER! And yes, I can vouch personally for Sarah rocking out these stylish looks in Chi-town. When she told me she had packed in a purse, I did not believe her.
.-= Winona´s last blog ..Internal Shopping Monologue =-.
I did manage to backpack myself around the world. I did alot of wearing and tearing and tossing along the way. Aside from the rolling of clothing I have another thing I now do: I rely on these packing cubicles that you can get from brands like Eagle Creek. They are great for organisation, like bags within your bag/suitcase/backpack. I have the t-shirts in this one, trousers here, sweaters there. No need for rummaging through. On the toiletries, smaaaalll bottles. Plus on the clothing, only bring what you usually wear and nothing more. You do have that gorgeous blouse yes, but you haven’t worn it in 8 months, the chance you’ll wear it travelling is not very probable.
.-= Jessika´s last blog ..Sjuk =-.
This is fantastic!
.-= Leia´s last blog ..DIY Routines =-.
I dunno…I’m not sure I could do this. I think it’s an accomplishment that I’ve gotten down to just a backpack. Also, I’m totally accident prone (of the ketchup, mustard and sauce varieties), though I suppose a giant scarf COULD cover that.
.-= The Naked Redhead´s last blog ..Blerg. =-.
I like to think of myself as a pretty savvy packer, but a purse? Oh Sarah, you’ve outdone yourself. However, this weekend the guy, the little lady and I did pack for the weekend in a backpack. Diapers, swimsuits and all. Not too shabby I think!
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Hapiness =-.
haha, i always try everyone’s bathroom products to see if I’m missing out on anything, too.
i love this!!! i mean dont we already pack everything in our purses, why not add some more.
.-= Sara´s last blog ..TELL =-.
YES! It can totally be done. I do it regularly, with an even smaller bag (and sans laptop).
.-= Lyndsay´s last blog ..patrick swayze =-.
This is such an amazing and useful post !! I’m really terrible when it comes to packing light and I always ended up packing to many things
Ohhh and to save on your toiletries is something I learned recently. When we go on a trip,we’ll buy and all share and use the same products or we can save on baggage .
And also the rolling technique is important !
.-= Valencia Lia´s last blog ..Swaying in the moment where I lost myself =-.
Wonderful tips which I’ve often applied to my own packing. It’s helped saved a lot of headache. The main concern of packing so simply, is the fear that one doesn’t will not be as prepared. You’ve covered plenty of the bases here!
.-= Donna Vitan´s last blog ..It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. =-.
love it! awesome ideas. I’m still at the stage where I’m learning how to make many outfits out of one. Thanks for your great example! I think I may even have a purse that will work already, so now to get started on the dress . . .
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Things I’ve learned today =-.
What an affecting take on this subject. I am happy you shared your thoughts and I find myself agreeing. I enjoy your clear writing and the effort you have spent on this piece. Thanks for the solid work and good luck with your blog, I am looking forward to more updates.
Loved the article- and was amazed to realise half way through that I have, in fact, managed this! Albeit a similarly large bag, I have managed to fit enough clothes for a weekend, mostly by wearing smart skinny jeans tucked into boots for the 5 hour train ride to my Mum’s, taking two spare tops, some basic make-up and a few changes of undies. Boots are great for going from day to evening, but a slim pair of smart sandals also fits easily into a purse! Dry shampoo is also great for those times you could do without lugging your straighteners and dryer around.
[...] now that we’re finishing up midterms) is that you can travel pretty easily. So, check out this guide to shoving a weekend’s worth of travel gear into a tote/messenger bag and hit the road before [...]
Sarah Von,
Love it! However, summer is one thing – winter (esp. in MN) is entirely another story. Have you tried packing in your purse for other seasons? I’d love to check out the results. Thanks, Sarah!
I just found this via some other post, and it’s great advice! I regularly spend entire weekends at the boyfriend’s house (just 25 kilometers away, but without the comfort of my own wardrobe) but I’ve become an expert in packing lightly because of that. Admittedly I have a pyjama and cosmetics there, but here’s what else I usually take – it mostly fits into one large-ish handbag or laptop backpack: 1 skirt in addition to the one I’m wearing, 2 sweaters and 2 singlets that fit either skirt, 1 pair of extra tights, underwear, dancing shoes (these are bulky!). Plus my laptop, wallet, etcetera. I always put them in an extra bag because after I unpack them it doubles as a laundry bag
[...] Travel with only a carry on. Yes. For realz. I know you can do it! Here’s a tutorial on packing in your [...]
[...] Travel with only a carry on. Yes. For realz. I know you can do it! Here’s a tutorial on packing in your [...]
[...] Travel with only a carry on. Yes. For realz. I know you can do it! Here’s a tutorial on packing in your [...]
[...] Travel with only a carry on. Yes. For realz. I know you can do it! Here’s a tutorial on packing in your [...]
[...] Travel with only a carry on. Yes. For realz. I know you can do it! Here’s a tutorial on packing in your [...]
[...] Travel with only a carry on. Yes. For realz. I know you can do it! Here’s a tutorial on packing in your [...]
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hmmm I Like It..
It’s Looking Great Thank You for Sharing
I never thought of travelling with only my tote bag… I always took my backpack when I need to stay overnight. I will try this soon.
Amanda´s last [type] ..5 Cutest Backpacks for Girls