Packing for a Weekend Trip
The one in which I advise adults on how many pairs of underwear to pack for a weekend away. Just kidding!
The truth is, I once went on a month-long trip through North America with only carry-on luggage. For years, I took pride in being able to pack smartly, fitting everything into as little space as possible. But when it comes to traveling for just a weekend, I completely lose my mind and cram too many, half of which I never end up wearing. Last week, I went on a two-day trip and decided to challenge myself. I could only bring two bottoms, two pairs of shoes, one bag, and a few tops. After all, a pile of things just weighs us down and detracts from the enjoyment of why we came in the first place.
I optimized what I packed based on my travel schedule. When considering bottoms, I thought about places I would be going and activities I would be doing. Therefore, for the drive and lunches that happened on the go, I packed a pair of jeans and several tops that I could switch depending on the occasion. A T-shirt and flip-flops were great for traveling. I swapped the T-shirt for a shirt for lunch, and I ended up wearing those same jeans on the first day of the conference I was traveling for, too.
I regretted the decision, though. The hotel where the conference was held was unbearably hot. Besides, it is rather challenging to pack a small number of items for the time of year when it is possible to have morning frost, temperatures of 20ºC during lunchtime, and then cooler weather and showers in the evening. A short skirt saved me. I combined it with a shirt the next day for the second part of the conference and a T-shirt for catching up with colleagues. If I had followed my own rule, I would have worn the same skirt to a fancy dinner with my husband on the first night, too. But I figured I had enough space to bring this set designed by my friend Damir earlier this year, oops.
As for the shoes, I brought flip-flops, which always work well with jeans for some casual events (although honestly, I've been thinking about getting some sandals that would replace lazy flip-flops and be both elegant and simple for everyday wear), and Tabis that paired well with skirts and gave jeans a little twist they were missing. The conclusion? It's kind of fun to limit your style game to such a small number of pieces flexible enough to adapt to different situations while traveling. Besides, the trip was hectic, and the fact I didn't have to think about what to wear while also feeling pleased with how I felt and looked was liberating.
Now, when I scroll back up and read the title of this entry, I cringe. Am I seriously dedicating so much attention to something as trivial as three outfits for a day-and-a-half-long trip? And perhaps it is prosaic, absurd, maybe even a little stupid, but I guess you’ve realized by now how important carefully choosing what I wear is to me. In doing so, I send a message about my beliefs and preferences regarding sustainability and design, about my attitudes and worldview. Moreover, I know that I am not a victim of fashion. Fashion is at my service. It helps the frightened introvert in me to feel confident and secure. And finally, it gives me a reason to write 600 words about what I packed in my suitcase, hoping that some of you will find it helpful or relatable.
This week, I'll send out a survey about your favorite topics on Stitch. I feel like I've been hanging around in your inbox a little too much this month, and after six months of writing on Substack, it's time for reflection. I hope you'll be happy to participate and help me come up with the next chapter for Stitch.
Don't cringe! I feel like learning how to pack for a short trip, or pack efficiently in general, is the most palpable goal of my 20s. Plus, there is some weird satisfaction in efficient packing, probably getting a false sense of having my s*it together.
Ah and yes I believe it’s time to abandon the flip- flops. forever!