How to Pack Like a Fashion Influencer
Destination picked. Flights booked. Itinerary planned….. Nothing packed?!
Ever found yourself staring at an open suitcase, feeling utterly lost? Packing for a trip can be daunting, especially when you want to travel with style. But fear not, as a seasoned traveler and fashion enthusiast, I’m here to teach you how to pack like a fashion influencer!
The Packing Predicament
I’ve loved to travel my entire life and am extremely fortunate that I was born with an identical twin sister who is excellent at planning and booking vacations for me. She plans everything down to the car to drive us to the airport, the only thing I have to do is pack my bags.
While my sister masterfully handles the travel logistics, my domain is the wardrobe. Admittedly, as an impulse shopper, curating the perfect travel wardrobe is my own exciting yet challenging adventure.
That’s why I’ve developed a system to streamline packing, which I will share with you below. However, if you’re like me and have a closet full of unnecessary items, I recommend reading my post on building a capsule wardrobe first to ensure you have everything you need to make the process below manageable.
The Outfit Itinerary
The secret to effortless travel style?…… A meticulously planned outfit itinerary. It’s not just about being ‘extra’; it’s about creating a system that allows you to travel with style, and the confidence that you will always have the perfect outfit to wear.
Personally, I rather plan more now and enjoy the benefits later, as I’m sitting along the rocky beaches of Positano sipping my 3rd Aperol spritz of the day, wearing a perfectly crisp white sundress and large straw hat with my black Celine Triomphe Oval Sunglasses perched delicately upon my nose. You get the idea.
Great! Now let’s begin!
To simplify this process I’ve created an easy to follow 4 step plan to help you pack like a fashion influencer. Follow each step and you’ll never fret about packing for a trip again.
Step One: Crafting Your Outfit Itinerary
The first step in the process is creating an outfit itinerary. This is relatively straightforward if you have a rough idea of your trip’s activities. You can write this information down on a blank piece of paper or to make this process even simpler, I’ve designed a Travel Fashion Planner that you can fill out for each of your trips. You can download it below for free, just note that by doing so you will be subscribing to my newsletter. They are bi monthly recaps from my blogs, including my own packing guides, styled looks & my fashion budgeting secrets. Feel free to opt out at any time if they no longer interest you!
Fill out your Travel Itinerary
Once you have your planner downloaded, the first section you should fill out is the Travel Itinerary.
In the Travel Itinerary Section, you will find the below prompts;
- The Plan: Start by loosely outlining your daily activities. Whether it’s dining at upscale restaurants or cycling through vineyards, a baseline plan is key.
- The Look: Consider both daytime and evening attire. Think about how your outfits can transition seamlessly from day to night.
Example from a bachelorette trip I took this year
Fill out this section for everyday of your trip for both the AM & PM. Don’t worry about getting specific on the actual items here. Just give yourself a rough idea of the clothing and accessories you will need based on your plans and activities.
Plan around the Weather
Additionally, you will find a section in the top right hand side of the planner for you to enter the expected weather for the trip. Make note of any out of the ordinary weather like rain, You may need to pack a rain coat or some warmer clothes if so. Also, don’t forget to check it again closer to the day you leave.
Step Two: Create a Detailed Packing Lists
The next step to learning how to pack like a fashion influencer is to translate your itinerary into a tangible packing list. Let’s further break this down into sub steps below.
What’s in your Closet?
In order to make a successful packing list, you need to know what you have in your closet. Before you start rummaging through your closet, count the number of dresses, shoes, and specific attire you’ll need based off of your itinerary from step 1. Then get specific on what actual items from your closet you want to pack for each of these categories.
If you have a decent idea of everything in your closet then this step should be a breeze. If you don’t but you want to, then I recommend you read my post Don’t be Clueless, Build a Digital Fashion Closet. Here I cover the process of creating a digital fashion closet and the benefits of seeing everything I own in one convenient place.
The more specific you are with this list, the easier it will be to style looks in the next step. Take, for example, this Sabo dress from my collection — if it’s a top pick for my trip and the Rosie 41 Sandal from Gia Borghini complement it best, I’ll add them to my list as well. Subsequently, I may realize those shoes are much bigger than some other sandals in my closet so I should try to style them with a few more looks to cut down on space or switch them out for another shoe. This precision not only ensures every item on the list enhances my travel wardrobe but reduces any excessive packing.
What’s in your Bag?
Next, break your list down by the bags: Carry On Bag, Checked/Suitcase, and Toiletries. My carry on bag & toiletries tend to be the same every trip and as you begin using your travel planner more, you can just copy these sections from past trips if this is the same for you. Personally, I like to keep my travel toiletries bag always packed with my travel sized products, I have my travel shampoos (I double cleanse), conditioner, hair oil, face wash, skin serums, toothbrush & floss ready to go in case my sister plans an impromptu trip!
Below is a screenshot of one of my lists from a trip I took to the Dominican Republic last November. For my carry on bag, I like to keep a bikini, shorts & tank so I can quickly change once I reach my destination.
When your building these lists continue to reference your outfit itinerary from step 1. If you find yourself adding more items than you think necessary, that’s ok, we will be refining the list in step 3.
If you’re looking for more packing list inspiration, check out my Travel Packing Guides by Trips on my blog.
Step Three: Build Your Looks
I am a staunch advocate for the transformative power of a digital fashion closet. It’s not just a tool; it’s a portal to a universe of style and efficiency. Imagine reclaiming hours of your life, saving money, and consistently looking effortlessly chic.
My journey in fashion design and a decade-long career in the corporate fashion world have given me an insider scoop of the latest trends and emerging brands. I’ve spent countless hours meticulously curating and distilling this wealth of knowledge, all available at your fingertips on my website. My mission? To cultivate a more mindful and inspired approach to shopping for women everywhere. Need a dose of style inspiration? Dive into the Style section of my blog, where you’ll find an array of curated ensembles for travel, work, weekends, and more.
Which brings me to the third step, and this is where we get EXTRA! With a clear packing list and a digital fashion closet, creating daily looks becomes a breeze. In the Fashion Travel Planner, there’s a dedicated section for you to slot in each item for every outfit. Plan both your day & night look. Next, after meticulously planning each look, revisit your initial packing list from step 2 to identify any items that didn’t make it into your final outfit selections. You should consider whether to include these as additional options or if you have enough variety/options without them.
The Beauty of Being Extra!
Embracing this methodology means your entire vacation wardrobe is neatly organized in one convenient spot. Consult your planner each day of your trip to effortlessly ensemble your outfits. I love the convenience of packing cubes, and will pack 1-3 looks per cube. This is especially helpful for multi-destination trips, allowing me to easily unpack just the cubes designated for that leg of the trip. Check out my looks below!
01//Day One Look
02//Day Two Look
03//Day Three Look
04//Day Four Look
Step Four: Plan for the Unexpected
The last step to learning how to pack like a fashion influencer, is to consider the unforeseen. Think things that will make your trip a bit more luxurious – maybe a face mask for the flight or a portable steamer. My posts on CarryOn Essentials and Fashion Travel Must-Haves are great resources for this.
So, pack your bags, embrace the unexpected, and step into your next adventure with the flair of a true fashion influencer. Happy packing!
