Tips: Time to Pack
Now I know that there are a few of you who are reading this week’s blog on how to pack your suitcase or overnight bag when booked to go away, who are immediately transported back to the last time you packed for a getaway break or holiday…
*Cue extreme close-up, screaming face and Hitchcock music… 🙂 *
I know you are reliving the stress and the nightmare of trying to pack effectively so that you don’t end up either (a) going way over your travel limit on the airplane for your packing effort to cost you practically the same cost as the flight itself, (b) remembering how you only packed for the pool and daytime outings and completely forgot about evenings out for dinner or a wine bar or (c) in a haze of franticness and focus on your day and evening wear, totally forgot to pack your underwear!
I would nearly hazard a guess that there are a few of my blog readers who are nearly in a cold sweat remembering the last time, and I understand this! So this week’s blog is my fool-proof guide to packing for your winter escape, city break or overseas holiday! Trust me, I know that these work! You can take a little from each tip to best suit your needs.
Winter Sun Getaway
With the cooler temperatures, I think those of us in the south are all a little envious of those who are managing to get a winter sun getaway to somewhere in Queensland like the Sunshine or Gold Coast, or for the brave, Cairns or Rockhampton! These beautiful places enjoy a much warmer climate than those of us in the cooler states. However! Don’t underestimate how suddenly you can feel the cold once the sun goes down!
A simple shift style or t-shirt style dress can be worn on its own when the sun is blistering the skies and can be dressed up with a gorgeous blazer jacket for the cooler evenings, or teamed with a great shirt underneath. Packing a simple shift sleeveless style dress can be worn in so many ways – as a stand-alone outfit with striking heels, handbag and necklace; or layered with a number of different style tops underneath like a shirt, for a dressier feel, or a long sleeve cotton top for a look more smart casual. You can even team it up with a soft, cashmere jumper to change the look into a skirt and top. You can easily get two or three looks out of this smart packing item. Throw in a pair of jeans and casual top plus your swimsuit or bikini, and you are well equipped for a winter sun quick getaway! Just don’t forget to send us a postcard!
School Holidays
I remember when I used to bring my four boys away on school holiday breaks. We would have so much fun spending time together and I remember it being full on…even when we were meant to be relaxing! When going away with the full family in tow, comfort and ease is everything! Think comfort fabrics, the ones that make you feel like you are being hugged! Whether you’re out fishing or camping or hanging out at the park, you want to look stylish, as well as feel really comfortable.
And don’t forget evenings too! Even if you’re not heading out for dinner to a restaurant and it’s a fun night around a camp fire, you still want to feel stylish and special. After all, it’s your holiday break too! These outfits are some recommendations make you feel great even if you have the children swinging out at you for your attention! Please note all these looks are taken with bare legs and boots as we are on the run at the shops! 🙂
City Break Escape
Depending on where you go, I would imagine that if you are going for a city break, like my Husband and I, you would definitely be planning an evening or two out for a great dining experience and maybe even a show or exhibition or two. A great basis for the winter is a pair of jeans which you can dress up, or dress down, depending on your occasion. Waterfall cardigans, blazers with singlets or long sleeve tops, smart coats…the list goes on! The trick is to keep a similar tone palette so you can mix and match easily.
Black and white, a predominant theme across all stores, is an elegant way of spicing up your wardrobe. You really can’t go wrong in what way you choose to style these! Bold patterns, mix-matched check patterns, or a luxurious mix of fabrics (leather with soft cashmeres and wools is stunning) are key to really pulling off this look in an effortless yet chic way. Add a blast of colour with a statement necklace or handbag or shoes and you are ready to paint the city red! Or blue! Or yellow! Or burnt orange! Whatever your accent colour in accessories is!
Overseas Adventure
If you are planning an overseas adventure, you’ll really need to make sure you’re prepared for all the elements. This doesn’t mean though that you have to pack everything! Regular readers will remember my blog posts on layering (click here if you haven’t already read!) so I’ll summarise a few of my key tips. The key to layering is choosing lightweight fabrics that add warmth gradually so in the event the weather changes, you can easily shed a layer while still being very stylish. Long line cardigans worn over singlet tops or long sleeve shirts, or a dress, can add warmth without bulking up your look, or your suitcase! A stylish scarf will add extra cosiness while looking amazing. If the weather warms up, you can still easily wear the scarf over a camisole or singlet, as a statement neckpiece. Also, if you’re heading overseas, you’ll probably be soaking up the sights and atmosphere so a good pair of flats or wedge heels will look great and tide you over when walking heaps!
Relaxing Cruise
While a cruise is usually a very relaxing experience and involves lots of lounging around the pool during the day while sailing on the seas, you’ll still need to be clever in how you pack, because at night time, there is still plenty of partying and enjoying the night time entertainment that is on offer! By day, a classic white shirt can double up as not only as clever cover up by the pool over your swimsuit or two piece, it looks classic and elegant when paired with a beautiful pair of trousers or equally, jeans. Dressed up with great shoes, handbag and statement lipstick, and you’re prepared for when you go visit villages and towns along your voyage.
Now I don’t know about you but night times on a cruise ship are the perfect excuse to get dolled up to the nines! This is one of the occasions when you can wear the most luxurious and elegant dress and wear it with your favourite jewellery, a simple upstyle with your hair, and gorgeous smoky eyes. You really can’t go wrong with black however, don’t be afraid to try out new colours like navy, golds, reds and even white (you know how much I love to wear white when on holidays!)
You might be thinking to yourself, ‘how on earth has Cindy fine-tuned the whole packing process and made it feel like a near-enjoyable experience, one to be enjoyed while listening to YOUR FAVOURITE BAND/SINGER and sipping on a smooth glass of red wine?’
Well, to be honest, it’s come down to experience!! I regularly visit Sydney and Queensland, not to mention travelling Victoria and other States to deliver my workshops and styling training! I know first-hand, through trial and error, what to pack and what not to pack, while still having a great wardrobe selection to wear while away.
And of course, my now, annual trip overseas on my personal shopping trip, means I have learned exactly what I need to bring and what will otherwise weight my suitcase down – so I can have plenty of room to stock up on a little shopping spree while overseas!
There’s an old proverb that goes something like, “Measure twice, cut one”, which I’m sure heaps of chippies nationwide also go by! And, the same theory can be applied to packing too! These are some ideas to help you with packing for your next trip away – you can mix and match them and take what you will from them. If you’re still stuck on what to do, you know where we are! Just call us at the suite and we’ll be able to help take the stress away for you. Planning and organisation is the key so you have everything you need – all you need to do, is enjoy yourself!
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