{"id":5194,"date":"2020-01-08T16:02:51","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T23:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/?p=5194"},"modified":"2025-06-06T16:22:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T22:22:13","slug":"smart-pack-hacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/smart-pack-hacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Packing Hacks: A Guide to Avoid Overpacking"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"5194\" class=\"elementor elementor-5194\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8ecff5d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8ecff5d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a0cb586\" data-id=\"a0cb586\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3def324 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3def324\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">TRAVEL PLANNING <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3468129 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3468129\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f5e425 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1f5e425\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pack smart, look chic &amp; stay organized on your travels<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1ad60e6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1ad60e6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e9f7cb\" data-id=\"5e9f7cb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-157a612 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"157a612\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post which provide me a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase a product I have linked to. I will never recommend a product unless I use it myself and love it.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-941fc1a elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"941fc1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p3\">I wanted to write a guide to avoid overpacking for myself as much as anyone else.\u00a0The truth is I love to travel, but struggle with packing. This compilation of &#8220;packing hacks&#8221;\u00a0 are tips I&#8217;ve gathered through trial and a lot of error, on my travels to almost 40 countries. It&#8217;s what I&#8217;ve learned works for me, and what doesn\u2019t.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overpacking has caused me a lot of headaches. I am still recovering from seeing a porter at a train station in India with my huge bag precariously perched atop his head. (photo below, top bag)<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8748d89 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8748d89\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/what-not-to-pack-for-India.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5203\" alt=\"A porter carries luggage stacked on his head at a train station in India\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/what-not-to-pack-for-India.jpg 600w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/what-not-to-pack-for-India-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/what-not-to-pack-for-India-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">A station porter in India carries my luggage on his head - it's the one on top<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb71379 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb71379\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the other end of the spectrum, in a fit of determined minimalism, I once took a tiny carry-on for 10 days in France: tr\u00e9s practical on the train and Metro but I felt blah in the same outfits all week, and Paris is not where you want to feel frumpish.<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p2\">So I am striving for the packing sweet spot. I want to pack lightish, but have everything I need. I want getting dressed to be simple, and to look put together and feel comfortable. Here&#8217;s what I&#8217;ve learned.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b69d6e0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b69d6e0\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b3a9f26\" data-id=\"b3a9f26\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e74d09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e74d09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"978\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Susan-Heinrich-Monos-luggage-Denver-838x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-26895\" alt=\"Susan prepares for travel at the Denver train station. She is pictured next to Monos Check-In Medium bag and the Monos Metro backpack.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Susan-Heinrich-Monos-luggage-Denver-838x1024.jpg 838w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Susan-Heinrich-Monos-luggage-Denver-245x300.jpg 245w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Susan-Heinrich-Monos-luggage-Denver-768x939.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Susan-Heinrich-Monos-luggage-Denver-150x183.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Susan-Heinrich-Monos-luggage-Denver.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cde9f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cde9f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">10 Tips to Avoid Overpacking<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5574938 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5574938\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u2022 Start planning your wardrobe weeks ahead<\/p><p>\u2022 Try everything on together, including accessories<\/p><p>\u2022 Consider creating a wardrobe in a limited color palette<\/p><p>\u2022 Simplify jewelry<\/p><p>\u2022 Minimize shoes to a max of 4 pairs and ideally 3 \u2014 that&#8217;s the number I usually take<\/p><p>\u2022 Scarves are a smart accessory, lightweight and versatile<\/p><p>\u2022 Use packing cubes if you have a busy itinerary<\/p><p>\u2022 Pack your clothes a few days ahead to ensure everything fits. It gives you another chance to discard some items<\/p><p>\u2022 If you still have too much remove 10% to 20% of what you plan to take\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022 When you return home, reflect on what you didn&#8217;t wear and why. It will help you pack smarter next time<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6b37771 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6b37771\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9ba7c70\" data-id=\"9ba7c70\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-452e9f2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"452e9f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5a7af0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b5a7af0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Spring-Capsule-Wardrobe-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-22989\" alt=\"Spring clothing pieces create a capsule wardrobe for stylish and easy travel outfits\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Spring-Capsule-Wardrobe-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Spring-Capsule-Wardrobe-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Spring-Capsule-Wardrobe-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Spring-Capsule-Wardrobe-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Spring-Capsule-Wardrobe-1-96x96.jpg 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41f7842 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"41f7842\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My Capsule Wardrobes for Travel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b069e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b069e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The more I&#8217;ve traveled, the more I have focused on creating a thoughtful travel wardrobe for each trip \u2014 choosing pieces that easily mix and match to create multiple outfits that look great, with minimal effort. This is also known as a capsule wardrobe.<\/p><p>I will delve further into creating capsules below. If you would like to see some specific examples, have a look at: <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/what-to-wear-safari\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">What to Wear on Safari,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/spring-capsule-wardrobe\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Spring Capsule Wardrobe for Travel<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/autumn-capsule-wardrobe\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Autumn Travel Capsule Wardrobe<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/paris-spring-outfits\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Packing for Spring in Paris.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a2e700 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7a2e700\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-78f0435 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"78f0435\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3e85650\" data-id=\"3e85650\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4416fb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4416fb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A Guide to Avoid Overpacking: 10 Pack Hacks<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32f596e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"32f596e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/bistro-dinner-paris.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5727\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich sits in a traditional Paris bistro.l She is wearing a black top and a scarf in her hair.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/bistro-dinner-paris.jpg 600w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/bistro-dinner-paris-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/bistro-dinner-paris-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">In Paris and happy with my outfit<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94acd08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94acd08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Start Planning Your Wardrobe Well Ahead<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d3a932 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d3a932\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sometimes the right strategy starts with what doesn\u2019t work. I have learned that leaving it to the last minute and throwing a random selection of current favorite things into a suitcase, and hoping they will magically mix and match themselves into lovely outfits, is misguided.<\/p><p>Let\u2019s call this packing delusion. It made getting dressed more stressful and I was not as happy with the result. Also, I had more than I needed \u2014 of the wrong things. For example, I didn\u2019t have the bra that worked with the off-the-shoulder blouse, etc.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now I start a list several weeks ahead of any trip, and every time I think of something I want or need to bring, I add it. At this stage, anything goes. This list is my place to overpack. Paring back comes later.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-weight ); font-size: 1rem;\">By starting this process several weeks out from the trip, it reduces the stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2013bd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2013bd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Let&#8217;s call that packing delusion &#8211; I used to do it<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0321cf8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0321cf8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42fbe19\" data-id=\"42fbe19\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad80317 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ad80317\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pack-hacks-try-outfits.jpg\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048 wp-image-16943\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich trying on her outfits before packing for Paris\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pack-hacks-try-outfits.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pack-hacks-try-outfits-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pack-hacks-try-outfits-150x202.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">My least favourite pack hack: Trying clothes on ahead of time. <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d69d9d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d69d9d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Try Everything On<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f669213 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f669213\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I try everything on, and I mean everything. If I discover my favourite white pants have a stain, I can get them to the dry cleaner. If I need a new bathing suit, and don\u2019t we all hate shopping for those, I have time to find one I feel good in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the way, I really love swimsuits by <a href=\"https:\/\/athleta.gap.com\/browse\/category.do?cid=1031353&amp;nav=meganav%3ASWIM%3ACATEGORIES%3AAll%20Swim\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Athleta<\/a> and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.summersalt.com\/collections\/swimwear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Summersalt<\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They are supportive and comfortable, and Summersalt has long-torso suits, ideal for long-waisted, short-legged ladies like me.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e11547a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e11547a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Create a Capsule Wardrobe with a Color Palette<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-924623c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"924623c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capsule wardrobe: Can we agree that the name is ironic? Any capsules I\u2019ve seen are tiny.\u00a0 My friend Clemencia and I have travelled together in India and Southeast Asia and she travels with a suitcase small enough to be called a capsule, and she always looks great.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">She\u2019s my packing idol.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">When it\u2019s time to leave a hotel, she is packed and enjoying her second cup of coffee while I\u2019m still in the room cursing the packing gods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1f4413 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a1f4413\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/angkor-wat-in-rainy-season.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5220\" alt=\"Midlife Globetrotter visits Angkor Wat, Cambodia with her friend Clemencia\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/angkor-wat-in-rainy-season.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/angkor-wat-in-rainy-season-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/angkor-wat-in-rainy-season-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Clemencia and I visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41ff1e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41ff1e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I will never be like Clemencia, but I am now using a method which is getting me closer. Let&#8217;s call it the CapsulePlus. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The idea with a capsule wardrobe is choosing a color palette of clothing pieces that can mixed and matched to create a number of outfits that is <\/span>greater than the sum of its parts. I like it when math works in my favor, so tried it out on\u00a0<b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">my last overseas trip to Southeast Asia.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> I chose a wardrobe based on a palette of grey, white and green and added items with the colors orange and pink.<\/span><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); font-family: var( --e-global-typography-text-font-family ), Cormorant Garamond; font-size: 1rem;\">I did allow myself to bring a couple of extras, a flowered dress and a green linen jumpsuit (pictured above). That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s the CapsulePlus &#8211; I don&#8217;t want to be too hemmed in (haha).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I still brought more than I would have liked, but less than usual. And I did wear everything I brought, and was happy with most of my outfits.\u00a0 Limiting the color palette was very helpful for me. I&#8217;ve done this on shorter trips as well.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa20c17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aa20c17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/a-dress-from-capsule-wardrobe.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5227\" alt=\"Midlife Globetrotter in Laos, wearing a flowered dress from her capsule wardrobe\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/a-dress-from-capsule-wardrobe.jpg 600w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/a-dress-from-capsule-wardrobe-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/a-dress-from-capsule-wardrobe-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">In Laos, wearing a dress from my capsule wardrobe<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48cb721 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48cb721\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you don\u2019t know where to start, pick one thing you absolutely love and must bring. Look at the colours in that item, or pick something else that goes with it and has colour &#8211; that&#8217;s your palette. Now fill in with some neutrals that work best, navy, grey, black, white.\u00a0<\/p><p>Add a few more things with the same colours as your inspiration item, solid or pattern.\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 1rem;\">Every piece you add should be able to mix together to create various outfits. And try it all on first so you know you like the way it looks together.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9669ba0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9669ba0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Simplify Jewelry<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b279c05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b279c05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I used to bring a lot of fun jewelry on my travels, thinking I wanted different necklaces and earrings with each outfit. It was too much trouble and I didn&#8217;t end up wearing them. Now I bring one or two necklaces per trip and two pairs of earrings: a small one for day, small hoops or studs, and one dangly for evenings out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less jewelry is less to keep track of and makes getting dressed simpler for me. If you love jewelry ignore this advice and have fun with it.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb5dd27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"eb5dd27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Luang-Prabang-Wat-Xienthong-steps-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-2445\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich in Laos with a scarf - scarves are an important part of the travel packing guide\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Luang-Prabang-Wat-Xienthong-steps-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Luang-Prabang-Wat-Xienthong-steps-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Luang-Prabang-Wat-Xienthong-steps-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Luang-Prabang-Wat-Xienthong-steps-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Luang-Prabang-Wat-Xienthong-steps-e1587154637299.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">With one of my favourite scarves at the Wat Xieng Thong temple in Laos <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc23e04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fc23e04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Scarves are Your Best Accessory<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e3c02f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e3c02f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While I don\u2019t care too much about jewelry, I love scarves and think they are a traveller&#8217;s best friend. I usually travel with two or three, heavier or lighter, depending on the weather where I am headed.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are smaller to carry in your bag than a sweater, can protect you from the sun, wrap around your neck if you are chilly, and you always have something to cover your shoulders if you are entering a church or temple. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, a pretty scarf makes a simple outfit instantly more stylish. They are also a fun thing to buy on your travels, and easy to pack and bring home.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0699f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f0699f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/french-style-loafers-monoprix-e1690229180142.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-26285\" alt=\"A woman&#039;s feet pictured in black French-style loafers on a tiled floor with the words: Monoprix Champs \u00c9lys\u00e9es in decorative tile. Visible are her legs with blue denim and a beige trench coat. She is in Paris.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/french-style-loafers-monoprix-e1690229180142.jpg 663w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/french-style-loafers-monoprix-e1690229180142-300x277.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/french-style-loafers-monoprix-e1690229180142-150x138.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03aa291 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"03aa291\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Minimize Shoes to 2-4 Pairs <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e59007 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e59007\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another friend of mine, Cathy Thomson, is a packing pro and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">said that the average woman takes eight pairs of shoes on a two-week holiday. Wow! Even I know that is excessive. She and I would agree that shoe choice is critical because shoes take up a lot of space, and the right pair of shoes can serve multiple purposes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>For example, one of my favorite travel sandals are the <a href=\"https:\/\/nisolo.com\/products\/womens-go-to-flatform-leather-sandal-black\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Nisolo Flatform Sandal.<\/u><\/a> (I recommend sizing up half a size). They are comfortable enough to walk around in all day, and pretty enough to wear in the evening with a skirt.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92f39a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92f39a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I think we can agree eight pairs of shoes is excessive\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cce488b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cce488b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I can also wear them to the beach and don\u2019t worry if they get a little wet. They do the duty of three pairs of shoes: beach shoes, day sandals, evening sandals.\u00a0When I went to Africa for 18 days, they were the pair I wore the most.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d272c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0d272c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/susan-heinrich-paris-wardrobe-style-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-36999\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich stands in front of a large blue door in Paris. She is wearing classic French pieces, denim, a black blazer and ballet flats.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/susan-heinrich-paris-wardrobe-style.jpg 924w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/susan-heinrich-paris-wardrobe-style-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/susan-heinrich-paris-wardrobe-style-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/susan-heinrich-paris-wardrobe-style-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acd8929 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"acd8929\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">So How Many Shoes to Pack? <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ead1a27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ead1a27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p1\">Choosing shoes you can wear in many ways goes a long way to preventing overpacking. Shoes take up a lot of space in your luggage, and are crucial to your comfort. Spend the time getting the right shoes for your trip.\u00a0For a week-long vacation or longer, my general rule is three pairs of shoes.<\/p><p class=\"p1\">In the above photo I am wearing one of only three pairs I took for a trip to Europe last fall. These <a href=\"https:\/\/rstyle.me\/+ls11gNzh2W02lQOihDY_HQ\"><span class=\"s1\">stylish flats by Vivaia<\/span><\/a> are a great example of a good travel shoe: comfy enough to walk in all day and versatile enough that they work with both jeans and skirts. You can see a specific example of how I plan my shoes in the post: <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/travel-paris-shoes\/\"><span class=\"s1\">Shoes for Paris Travel.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p><p class=\"p1\"><b><i>TIP: fabric shoe bags are great for storing shoes in luggage and keeping your clothes clean.\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d8c4981 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d8c4981\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-990bd45\" data-id=\"990bd45\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cab29f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cab29f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/how-use-packing-cubes.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5241\" alt=\"using packing cubes as portable drawers\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/how-use-packing-cubes.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/how-use-packing-cubes-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/how-use-packing-cubes-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Small packing cube for cords\/headphones and a medium for socks and underwear<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15b3ed5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"15b3ed5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">7. Use Packing Cubes<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10c6eaa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10c6eaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s interesting to me that two little words \u201cpacking cubes\u201d\u00a0 can divide people. I\u2019ve had well-travelled friends scoff when I ask if they use them. The implication is if I need packing cubes, I am some sort of amateur. It\u2019s as if I literally need fabric cubes to keep\u00a0 my life together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p class=\"p1\">Whether or not you&#8217;ll benefit from them depends a lot on the trip type.\u00a0If you are on a two-week tour of Europe and changing hotels every few days they will be very handy as they will act like drawers which you will never entirely unpack. If you are going to a beach resort and only unpacking once you don&#8217;t need them, in my opinion.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e9dc20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1e9dc20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4080\" alt=\"Plan a trip to India with a group tour. This is our G Adventures Group in Jodhpur, Rajasthan\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures.jpg 900w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/group-tour-india-g-adventures-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">On a group tour in India - we were packing and unpacking every two days<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c93c43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3c93c43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>If you haven&#8217;t ventured into the land of packing cubes, I suggest buying a few and trying them out.\u00a0 I find the small and medium ones very versatile. On shorter trips, I\u2019ll take a small cube for my charging cords and a medium cube for my underwear (photo above). These <a href=\"https:\/\/rstyle.me\/+-fKGZeRpHHDRCb6DV98WsA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">packing cubes from Quince<\/span><\/a> are affordable and come in cute colors.\u00a0<\/p><p>If I am going all in on the cubes, which I usually do for a trip of a week or longer, I use a large cube for my tops, another for my bottoms and a third for single pieces such as dresses. I use smaller ones for socks and underwear and to keep random items like hair tools corralled.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f42b740 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f42b740\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea4c5f8\" data-id=\"ea4c5f8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42ae5c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"42ae5c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"445\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/monos-luggage-design.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-16967\" alt=\"A hand pulls on a strap inside of a carry on bag to compress a fabric panel and the contents underneath\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/monos-luggage-design.jpg 445w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/monos-luggage-design-223x300.jpg 223w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/monos-luggage-design-150x202.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 445px) 100vw, 445px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52b159a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"52b159a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">8. Do a \"Pre-Pack\" a Few Days Ahead<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7887c6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7887c6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Pack your clothes a few days ahead to ensure everything fits. It gives you another chance to see everything together, and to discard some items, before doing it right before the trip which can be stressful.<\/p><p>This is also when I double-check my list to remind myself of items I need to gather that I might not have pulled out yet, such as a sunhat from my hall closet or a wool wrap for evenings that I haven&#8217;t worn in months. It also reminds me if I have to do a drugstore run.\u00a0<\/p><p>After this I may remove the items from my luggage but leave them all out and organized. Either in piles or packing cubes.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6aad390 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6aad390\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7a46802\" data-id=\"7a46802\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f2da4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c6f2da4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Speaking of lists, learn more about my favorite things for travel in this post:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/travel-essentials-for-women\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"> Travel Essentials for Women<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3f117bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3f117bf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fe1ff00\" data-id=\"fe1ff00\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6c2a16 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f6c2a16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/travel-packing-tips.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5208\" alt=\"clothes and travel items are laid out to be packed\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/travel-packing-tips.jpg 600w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/travel-packing-tips-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/travel-packing-tips-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3ba38f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c3ba38f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">9. Leave behind 1 in 5 items<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d164323 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d164323\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are a chronic overpacker, I suggest that once you lay everything out, consider removing 1 of every 5 pieces you plan to take. If you can\u2019t remove 20%, remove 10%. If you really don\u2019t want to, remember that you will probably want to buy something and you need space for it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or, if you are going to India, now is the time to imagine that poor guy with your giant suitcase on his head. The \u201cleave behind\u201d really works and is an alternative to the CapsulePlus method. I lay it all out and remove the items I love the least. And I\u2019ve never wished I had them. Ok, I have, but that is inevitable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a94a4ba elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a94a4ba\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6b9e76d\" data-id=\"6b9e76d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6c4de7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d6c4de7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/safari-style-lunch-878x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-31722\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich sits at a lunch outdoors at Leroo la Tau safari lodge, Botswana wearing an African safari outfit, brown linen short, tan pants and brown safari-style boots.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/safari-style-lunch-878x1024.jpg 878w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/safari-style-lunch-257x300.jpg 257w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/safari-style-lunch-768x896.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/safari-style-lunch-150x175.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/safari-style-lunch.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Safari style in Botswana Africa<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e9b9cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4e9b9cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">10. Reflect on What you Wore, and What you Didn't<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2bcd725 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2bcd725\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0When you return home and are unpacking, think about what you didn&#8217;t wear and why. You may realize that you didn&#8217;t feel like dressing up in the evenings, or wore your jeans less than expected, Whatever it is, these inisights should help you pack smarter on future trips. Many of us are a packing work in progress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a198197 elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon elementor-view-default elementor-widget-divider--element-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-2074 elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a198197\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon elementor-divider__element\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-globe-africa\" viewBox=\"0 0 496 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M248 8C111.03 8 0 119.03 0 256s111.03 248 248 248 248-111.03 248-248S384.97 8 248 8zm160 215.5v6.93c0 5.87-3.32 11.24-8.57 13.86l-15.39 7.7a15.485 15.485 0 0 1-15.53-.97l-18.21-12.14a15.52 15.52 0 0 0-13.5-1.81l-2.65.88c-9.7 3.23-13.66 14.79-7.99 23.3l13.24 19.86c2.87 4.31 7.71 6.9 12.89 6.9h8.21c8.56 0 15.5 6.94 15.5 15.5v11.34c0 3.35-1.09 6.62-3.1 9.3l-18.74 24.98c-1.42 1.9-2.39 4.1-2.83 6.43l-4.3 22.83c-.62 3.29-2.29 6.29-4.76 8.56a159.608 159.608 0 0 0-25 29.16l-13.03 19.55a27.756 27.756 0 0 1-23.09 12.36c-10.51 0-20.12-5.94-24.82-15.34a78.902 78.902 0 0 1-8.33-35.29V367.5c0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-25.88c-14.49 0-28.38-5.76-38.63-16a54.659 54.659 0 0 1-16-38.63v-14.06c0-17.19 8.1-33.38 21.85-43.7l27.58-20.69a54.663 54.663 0 0 1 32.78-10.93h.89c8.48 0 16.85 1.97 24.43 5.77l14.72 7.36c3.68 1.84 7.93 2.14 11.83.84l47.31-15.77c6.33-2.11 10.6-8.03 10.6-14.7 0-8.56-6.94-15.5-15.5-15.5h-10.09c-4.11 0-8.05-1.63-10.96-4.54l-6.92-6.92a15.493 15.493 0 0 0-10.96-4.54H199.5c-8.56 0-15.5-6.94-15.5-15.5v-4.4c0-7.11 4.84-13.31 11.74-15.04l14.45-3.61c3.74-.94 7-3.23 9.14-6.44l8.08-12.11c2.87-4.31 7.71-6.9 12.89-6.9h24.21c8.56 0 15.5-6.94 15.5-15.5v-21.7C359.23 71.63 422.86 131.02 441.93 208H423.5c-8.56 0-15.5 6.94-15.5 15.5z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-666febf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"666febf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this all sounds like a lot of effort, it can be. But it will also allow you to enjoy your trip more because getting dressed will be easier.\u00a0 You don\u2019t want to be the one cursing at the packing gods, while your friend is in the caf\u00e9 ordering a cappuccino.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p>Hooray, we\u2019re packed, and hopefully not overpacked.\u00a0 Bon voyage!<\/p><p><em>I would love to hear all the ways you avoid overpacking! Please share your &#8220;packing hacks&#8221; in the comments below.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-137a1cec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"137a1cec\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-73385edb\" data-id=\"73385edb\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16aa0131 content-align-cta-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-cta-box\" data-id=\"16aa0131\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"eael-cta-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eael-call-to-action cta-basic bg-lite cta-preset-1\">\n        <h3 class=\"title eael-cta-heading\">Join Midlife Globetrotter<\/h3><p>If you found this story useful, please subscribe. You'll receive the monthly Midlife Globetrotter newsletter with travel ideas, tours for women, hotel reviews and Susan's travel stories and updates.<\/p><a href=\"http:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/subscribe\/\" class=\"cta-button cta-preset-1  \">Subscribe<\/a>\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cf2ada7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cf2ada7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-976fc57\" data-id=\"976fc57\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07c00ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"07c00ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Choosing Luggage<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ae80ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9ae80ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"978\" src=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/monos-luggage-review-susan-heinrich-838x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-26880\" alt=\"Susan Heinrich stands in Denver&#039;s Union Station with Monos luggage - the Monos Medium Check-In and the Monos Metro backpack.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/monos-luggage-review-susan-heinrich-838x1024.jpg 838w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/monos-luggage-review-susan-heinrich-245x300.jpg 245w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/monos-luggage-review-susan-heinrich-768x939.jpg 768w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/monos-luggage-review-susan-heinrich-150x183.jpg 150w, https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/monos-luggage-review-susan-heinrich.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7451545 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7451545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One way I pack more efficiently is by using well-designed luggage.\u00a0 My current favorite brand is Vancouver-based <a href=\"https:\/\/rstyle.me\/+0L6wwcEfbo9Kno63NXWrng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Monos.<\/span><\/a> I absolutely love it \u2014 it&#8217;s durable, well-designed, and well-priced. And it comes in lots of lovely colors, I went with the terracotta for my roller and taupe for my <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/rstyle.me\/+MbXm_ZYPzlF_9o4l0K0tXg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Medium Check-In <\/a><\/span>(pictured above). I recommend a darker color as the light ones do scuff. If you would like to learn more about the pros and cons you can read my <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/monos-luggage-review\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Monos Luggage Review.<\/span><\/a><\/p><p>If you are looking for lightweight luggage, I&#8217;ve\u00a0 compared <a href=\"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/delsey-samsonite-luggage\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Delsey and Samsonite.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>TRAVEL PLANNING Pack smart, look chic &#038; stay organized on your travels Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post which provide me a commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase a product I have linked to. I will never recommend a product unless I use it myself and love it. I wanted [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5195,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[159,158,132,121,157,118,160,119,156,120,155],"class_list":["post-5194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-planning","tag-capsule-wardrobe","tag-carry-on","tag-luggage","tag-midlife-style","tag-pack-hacks","tag-packing","tag-packing-cubes","tag-packing-guide","tag-packing-list","tag-packing-tips","tag-suitcase"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/travel-packing-guide.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/midlifeglobetrotter.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}