1. “Coordinate around a color theme,” suggests VN member roadtripdreamer.
“Take the phrases ‘mix ’n match’ and ‘wash ’n wear’ to heart. Make sure that everything you pack can be worn with at least three other things.
Author and style consultant Sherrie Mathieson agrees. “I would advise a limited mix and match neutral color palette—black, brown, beige, tan, cream, white and even khaki and olive,” Sherrie says.
2. “Choose clothes made from sturdy, easy-care materials,” recommends travel expert Kathy Dragon.
Kathy likes several pieces from the Contourwear line, especially the Contourwear ZOP2: Bermuda Convertible. “The zip-offs are made of Schoeller fabric, which means rain (or red wine) bead off the pants. They don’t pill or pick.”
3. Add visual interest with a few colorful accessories. To keep packing simple, save color splashes for shirts and accessories, suggests VN member roadtripdreamer. VN member Content, on the other hand, likes to accessorize with scarves and jewelry.
“Include punch color in accessories such as a necklace, or single items like blouses or sweaters (ie. a citric green turtleneck) combos,” adds Sherrie Mathieson, “Choose accessories that flatten out easily, such as a nylon or leather bag.”
4. Roll your clothing as you pack. “Rolling prevents wrinkles and keeps clothes wearable when you may not have access to an iron,” says Gigi of eight. Really works, and you have more room in your suitcase!”
5. Of course, the #1 tip from Vibrant Nation members for simpler travel is to pack wrinkle-free clothing. Click to download your copy of VN’s new free report, Best Wrinkle Free Travel Clothes and Other Essentials for Simpler Travel - it’s free to all Vibrant Nation members!
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What packing tips would you add to this list?
Dear Babs and all our other sisters,
I went through a lot of the same. After 17 years of marriage and 4 kids, I had a soap opera of a time, complete with a cheating husband and private detective, followed by a divorce. Thankfully, that was 10 years
I wrote this in 2003 and recently discovered it in a desk drawer!
HI, Sylvestercat,
Do an online search of the topic "housing exchange," or "house- or home- exchange," and lots of things will pop up.
There is a busy hot-topic conversation thread going on under "Other Topics" and "Shared Housing Alternatives" on
Good boots! I have fallen in love with ECCOs and wear them almost everyday!
I live out of a suitcase 6 months of the year and my favorite packing tip came from Patty Boyd…silk. The more silk you own the more space you have and silk is warm or cold,it responds to your body heat and environmental needsSilk is the bestI do roll on the way home because it makes more space and then I can fit it my shopping
I’ve been giving packing tips to friends and relatives for as long as I can remember. I love 100% cotton. I’m a jeans person so that’s easy. I fold and pack lots of white shirts and change it up with belts and accessories. My favorite shoes – KEENS. I use Hefty 2-gallon zip lock bags. I fold my shirts and then insert them plus my favorite dryer sheet, zip it squeezing out the air at the same time. Clothes stay fresh, wrinkle free, and are like you took them out of the dryer. Plus, no one is sifting through your belongings at the airport. It is pretty evident you aren’t hiding anything. Depending on size of shirt – pack 2-3 to a bag. Undies in one. Jammies in one. As you empty the bags, insert dirty laundry. AND, you’d be surprized at how much you can pack in a suitcase.
Putting tissue paper or drycleaning bags between the layers of clothes helps prevent wrinkles too.