Packing Tips to Feel Great and Look Stylish On Vacation

Feeling confident in your appearance while traveling can make your vacation all the better. When you feel great in your clothing, the possibilities for exploration and self-discovery are endless.

To help you feel confident in your attire and packing decisions, Lee Heyward, style expert and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, did me the honor of participating in an interview for Travel with Melissa. In this interview, Lee shares her personal styling and packing trips for every traveler who wants to feel and look great while on vacation.

Below is the interview:

Why did you decide on a career in fashion and style?

Actually, my career in fashion and style found me. I have always had a passion for helping people and a skill for putting outfits together. I discovered how to mesh the two in fourth grade when my best friend felt she needed “cooler” clothes in order to feel confident starting at a new school. I got out my Seventeen magazine and headed into her closet. I’ve been helping people find style they love ever since. Two years ago, I left the hubbub of corporate life and founded Charleston Style Concierge in order to help women everywhere feel stylish and confident every time they step out the door.

How can the right outfit make a trip special?

There is something about travel that inspires you to look your best. Walking the streets in your hometown just doesn’t seem as glamorous as strolling the streets of an ancient city or tropical island. Even though you may not know anyone you pass, you want to feel like the best version of yourself. This is why the right outfit can make your trip even more special.

A dress that makes you feel ten years younger could inspire you to accept an impromptu salsa dance that you talk about for years. The right bathing suit will make you feel confident enough to stroll the beach where you find the most beautiful shell you’ve ever seen. The right outfit is simply a combination of clothing, but that combination can help make your trip even more special.

What are your favorite travel pieces that you never leave home without?

I have been very blessed to travel to many interesting places both in my personal and professional life. No matter where I go, I have a few travel staples I never leave home without:

• A Versatile Day Bag. Other than my suitcase I want to only have to carry one other thing with me. I use a large purse or tote that can fit everything I want to keep with me during my travels. I specifically choose one in a pseudo-neutral color so that it matches everything. My favorite bag is purple and I can wear it shopping, to the beach, or on the plane in style. In my day bag, I keep a wallet that also doubles as a clutch for a stylish evening out.

• A Lightweight Layer. It seems that no matter what mode of transportation I use, the temperature fluctuates from freezing cold to suffocating hot. When I travel, I make sure to dress in a way that accommodates a lightweight layer. Depending on my destination, I sometimes use a long sleeve t-shirt, pashmina, or thin cardigan. This way, I can adjust for whatever temperature I’m in, but I also have an extra layer that is easily stored in my day bag and can even be used as a pillow.

• Tiny Toiletries. To look your best, you’ve got to have the right toiletries. Schlepping around your big bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizer gets heavy. For ease of space, weight, and peace of mind, I downsize all of my toiletries. My Dobb bag stays packed with travel size versions of the products I use. When I can’t find smaller versions of my favorite brands, I buy smaller bottles and fill them up myself.

What 3 stylish tips would you share with people to help them feel more at ease while packing?

Packing can be stressful. Often you arrive at your destination wondering why you packed the outfit options that you did. Eliminate feeling unstylish and make sure you feel great your entire trip. Here’s how:

• Try on the outfits you plan before you pack them. If you put together an outfit with items you haven’t recently worn, or have never worn together, try it on. Be confident that each outfit you pack is one you feel confident and stylish wearing.

• Pack outfits. It’s easy to pack your favorite shorts and your favorite tops only to end up with nothing you actually want to wear. Take a moment to think about the demands of your trip and plan outfits accordingly.

• Stay true to your personal style. If you have to wear something on a trip that is outside of your everyday wear, stay true to your personal style. If you find yourself needing outerwear for your destination’s rainy season, don’t settle on any old rain coat. Find one that meets both your outerwear and style needs.

About Lee

Lee Heyward is a style coach and owner of Charleston Style Concierge, LLC, a company which specializes in teaching women how to achieve easy and effortless style. Lee works with clients one-on-one, virtually, and hosts monthly seminars. Lee believes anyone can have great style with a little knowledge and an open mind. Charleston Style Concierge is located in Charleston, South Carolina.

Top 7 Travel Packing Tips

“What should I pack?” is one of the most frequent questions I hear from people and truthfully sometimes mutter myself. I try to stick with a strategy of packing neutral colors with a few pieces of color to step it up a notch. This leaves me flexible, stylish and ready to go. My goal is to maximize what I take and minimize what I carry.

Here are my top 7 tips for travel packing:

1. Buy mix and match collections. Somewhere in the shopping evolution women decided to buy separates. When you pack, instead of laying out the shirts with the shirts and the pants with the pants, lay out your clothes in combinations that can be worn together. Each piece of clothing can (and should) be part of more than one outfit. Try to pack only  enough clothes to get you through each day of your trip.

2. Pack items you can wear at least twice. If you can’t get more than one wear from a piece of clothing, it should not go into your suitcase. Ask yourself, “Is this comfortable and durable enough to wear twice?” and “Can I use it to make at least two different outfits?” After asking these questions, I think you’ll find it easier and easier to pack appropriately.

3. Launder clothes. I know I can hear you saying “No way, not me!” If you are planning a 2 week or longer vacation, I would recommend laundering clothes instead of packing more items. A small zip-loc or old prescription bottle of your choice powder detergent will free up space for you to go on more shopping sprees.

4. Wear the clothes you buy on vacation. There is no need to “save” them until you return home. How fun is it to wear the sundress you bought in Rome when you are actually in Rome? Plus, when you get home and wear the sundress, it will bring back wonderful memories of your vacation.

5. Pack only 3 pairs of shoes. Aim for packing two casual pairs and one dressy. If you are anything like me, you love shoes but remember shoes take up a lot of room and are heavy. Wear one pair and pack the other 2 pairs. Besides if you have a need (ok a strong want) what better excuse to buy new shoes?!

6. Roll and layer. Pack your suitcase in such a way that maximizes the space available and minimizes wrinkling. Start with shoes and any heavier items go towards the bottom or wheels of suitcase to minimize wrinkles. Stuff your shoes with sleepwear, undergarments, etc – this will help keep the shoe’s shape and utilize space. Make use of all the inside and outside pockets. Roll your clothes and layer with dry cleaning bags to decrease friction and wrinkles.

7. Pack without emotion. It never fails. As you are zipping up your suitcase, a small voice whispers “you might need that extra dress” or “you’ll regret not packing the red cardigan sweater “. Don’t listen!  If you’ve packed a mix and match collection, trust me, you will be good to go.

Share with us what some of your travel packing tips?

When You Travel: Dress Like An Onion

Sure you know when you go snow skiing or hiking to dress in layers but this is equally important when you travel. Not only do you look more stylist in thin layers versus that one bulky piece of clothing, you are prepared for all kinds of weather. Layers allow you the flexibility to keep your body at a more consistent and comfortable temperature. When you have several thin layers you can increase your mix and match ability therefore decreasing the number of clothes you need to pack. Thin layers also have a better chance of hand washing and being dry the next morning.

How do you dress like an onion? In several layers. Many places I have visited where the daily temperature has varied 20+ degrees going from sunny and warm to overcast and snowing; so it pays to think ahead.

Begin with you base layer for wicking: Cooler weather options are to cover the entire body once with a thin layer of polypropylene, silk or wool to wick (transport) moisture away form the skin. Warmer weather options are to start with basic undergarments plus a tank top or light weight tee.

Next layer is for insulation and ventilation: Cooler weather options are to add a medium weight layer of insulation ( Usually wool or pile or polypropylene) to retain body heat. Warmer weather options are to add a light weight layer of clothing in a natural fiber.

Next layer is for more insulation and ventilation: Best for cooler weather,  add another medium to thick layer of insulation for extreme cold or rest periods. When you are traveling in warm weather climates you still may want to bring a light weight shawl  to cover your head or shoulders and knees as needed for religious or cultural etiquette.  This can also serve to shade you from the sun as needed too.

The final layer option is for rain and wind protection: In any season you may want to consider having protection from water and wind and snow with an outer protective shell.

So on your next trip consider this simple trick to maximize your travel wardrobe but still minimizing your volume. Comfort = Happy.

What has been your best or worst packing/clothing experience while traveling? 

How many days can you pack for and still take just a carry on?