Here is an easy way to pack for a long weekend summer trip. I went on a girls-only 4 day summer trip with a few of my best friends, and I knew we were going to keep it casual but I still wanted to look nice. I was thrilled I managed to pack only what I needed, and in the end I felt I still had plenty of options. I know many women my age who are traveling this summer, and they have asked me what to pack and for travel outfit ideas. So I thought I would share my travel packing list and show you what I wore on my trip.
Easy Outfit Ideas: The Inspiration
Here’s how I came up with these easy outfit ideas. I did not have much time to prepare for the trip and I was stressing out the day before I had to leave (I know this is common). In the nick of time an online article about traveling and stress caught my eye. The headline read something to the effect that it is often more stressful to plan a trip it than when you are actually there. This was exactly what I needed to see right then!
It was written by a therapist and one bullet point she made jumped right out at me! She recommended to pack light (very light, as light as you can) to relieve your stress when it comes to traveling. I then realized it is true. If I had too much stuff to carry it would not help me enjoy my trip. I knew I would feel so much freer with less baggage and with less decisions to make about what to wear each day. So I got strategic.
YES! I LOOK FORWARD TO #GROWINGYOUNGER
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE ME TO YOUR MAILING LIST.
What To Pack? Keep It Light!
Inspired to pack light, I went to my big pile of apparel I had initially planned to bring on the trip, and carefully edited and selected as few pieces as possible. It was only 4 days, right? So why would I need 6 pairs of pants? Yes, I knew I would need some layers because I get cold in air conditioning and I would be flying on a plane. I also kept in mind we may change for the evening and I would need more than 4 outfits. So I decided to work my travel wardrobe around blue jeans, basic black and white, and add on a few colorful prints. So my point is to pick one color theme and work around that.
I also know I usually bring too many pairs of shoes and they are heavy and take up a lot of room in my bag! So I limited it to only the most comfortable shoes so I could walk miles. Since I am well over 40, I don’t wear shorts anymore. So denim jeans and lightweight print pants were all I packed, along with one casual jersey maxi sundress. Everything was machine washable, too.
Chic Travel Packing List
Here’s what I brought. Some of the items on this list I wore on the plane, so the rest all fit easily into a flight regulation size carry on bag.
Bottoms
• Blue Denim Jeans
• White Denim Jeans
• Cotton Print Pants
Tops
• White T-shirt
• Black T-shirt
• Black Tank
• Leopard Print T-shirt
Jackets and Wraps
• Black Jacket
• White Long Sleeve Shirt
Dress
• Print Maxi Dress
Shoes
• White Sneakers
• Black Slide Sneakers
• Black Wedge Sandals
Bags
• Regulation Size Carry On Bag
• Black Lightweight Packable Tote Bag
• Black Cross-body Mini-bag
Jewelry & Accessories
• Gold chain necklace (I never took off)
• Gold metallic belt
Underwear & Sleepwear
• 3 bras
• 6 pairs of panties
• Pajamas
Makeup and Toiletries
Try to pack it all in one large makeup bag. All hotels (and most homes) have blow dryers so you should not have to bring one. I brought a super mini travel flat iron, and all mini lotions, and only one makeup compact with eye shadows and blush.
5 Easy Outfit Ideas
1. Day 1: Thursday: Plane outfit and casual dinner.
Blue Denim Jeans, White T-shirt, Black Jacket, White Sneakers, Gold Belt, Black Cross-body Mini-bag
2. Day 2: Friday: Sightseeing Outfit
Cotton Print Pants, Black Tank, White Shirt for cover up, Gold Belt, Black Slide Sneakers, Black Cross-body Mini-bag
3. Day 3: Saturday Morning: Flea Market and Brunch
White Denim Jeans, Leopard Print T-shirt, Black Slide Sneakers, Black Tote Bag for flea market finds!
4. Day 3: Saturday Evening: Dinner and a Show.
Print Maxi Dress, Black Jacket, Black Wedge Sandals, Black Cross-body Mini-bag
5. Day 4: Sunday Brunch and Plane Travel Home
Repeat Blue Denim Jeans, Black Tank, White Shirt, Black Wedge Sandals, Gold Belt, Black Cross-body Mini-bag
As you can see, I wore multiple outfits that looked very different from each other. So if I had to stay another day, I never wore the black tank and black jacket together. And I never wore the dress with the white shirt, or the blue jeans with the leopard top. You get the idea. I even had some extra outfits to wear!
You can use this basic formula for what to pack on a 4 day trip, and add on the few things you need. You may need to bring swimwear or athleticwear, depending on what you plan to do on your summer trip. But you can wear the maxi dress as a coverup and bring the tote to the pool or beach. Or you can pack an athleticwear black tank as a layering piece and wear the sneakers to go hiking or running. Then just pack a pair of leggings and socks.
You don’t need to stress out about what to pack if you keep it light. Just think, you’ll have less laundry to do when you get home too!
Shop What To Pack Here:
Are you planning a long weekend trip? Pack light!
You may also like to read How To Style A Chic Beach Outfit High Low and How To Style A Comfortable and Chic Airport Outfit for Less.
This post contains affiliate links which may give us a commission at no additional cost to you.
Are you following Fountain Of 30 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest? We’ve got lots going on, so join in on the fun! Subscribe to our newsletter here. You don’t want to miss a post and promise not to bug you to death. We also started a Facebook Group called Growing Younger for women to discuss everything good and bad about being over 40. Additionally Lauren now hosts a podcast called Beauty is a Bitch! and a weekly Instagram Live series called “Growing Younger Gabfest with Lauren.”
Please pin!
I love your packing tips! And the outfits you’ve put together are so cute. It makes me want to go shopping for a new perfect white tee!
You can never have too many perfect white tees in my opinion. In fact, when I find one I love, I buy a few and store them! Then I toss out the grungy ones at the end of the summer. Voila. You always have a perfect white tee on hand!
I took two trips this summer, one planned (vacation), the other short notice (memorial service). I definitely over-packed for the vacation and I think I did pretty well for the trip to the memorial service, mostly because it was 2 1/2 days. I love your color combinations and different styling. I’m definitely going to have to remember this for my next trip. Great tips!
Thank you! So happy you found some useful tips. Less is sometimes more!
What a great combination of things!
This is a great article! Very helpful and I love the photos of what you packed as well as the layouts for each day/eve. Excellent….thanks!
So glad you found it helpful!