Just Packed's Lydia Mantle discusses how to plan a trip without experiencing stress and how to ensure that you are always prepared.
Lydia Mansel's goal in launching Just Packed, a website devoted to, you guessed it, packing, was to alleviate some of the anxiety that is associated with the process of getting ready for a trip. She explained to Travel + Leisure that no matter how many times she searched the internet for the ideal packing list for her forthcoming vacation, she never managed to find one.
"I realised that if I was feeling this frustration, there were other travellers out there who felt the same," she added. "It's just one of those things." "This became more apparent as I would routinely go on trips, whether they were for work or for pleasure, and hear complaints and moans of, 'I didn't know what to bring with me,' and 'I just didn't pack the right things.'"
During his time in college, Mansel embarked on his lifelong passion for travelling, beginning with a summer spent working on a dude ranch in the western United States and continuing with a semester in Devon, England. Since that time, she has lived in a variety of cities around the United States and Europe, including New York City, Charleston, and other places. She has also spent a considerable amount of time in the United Kingdom.
Now that she is working from home full-time, she intends to spend the remainder of the year in London and Bath, where she will also make a number of new excursions to cross off her bucket list. (And everything she needed was indeed packed into only two suitcases.)
In this section, she divulges some of her most valuable packing tips to T+L.
Travel + Leisure: What do you think causes people to have such a difficult time packing their belongings?
According to Lydia Mansel, the most difficult aspect of preparing to go on a trip is deciding what to bring with you because you do not know what you will need. Your trip might not go as smoothly as planned if you aren't sure what you have packed in your luggage or bag, or if you get the impression that you forgot anything essential. There is no doubt that you can make it through the experience without a raincoat or the layers of basic t-shirts, but any form of discomfort will take away from the excitement.
This uncertainty may frequently become overwhelming, leaving travellers unable to move, perplexed, and suddenly packing seven pairs of shoes and five dresses they know they won't wear into their duffel bags (just in case). Those are the people who overpack their bags. On the opposite end of the scale, you have the people who underpack. These are the people who aren't exactly sure what the requirements of their destination will be, so they just pack a few items and then wind up wishing they had packed a nicer dress shirt or a warmer layer.
What are some things that vacationers may do to make sure that packing won't ruin their trips?
"You should start thinking about what you need to pack around a week to two weeks before your trip, regardless of the duration of your vacation. For my personal purposes, I make use of the notebook that is included on my mobile device to scribble down the things that I will unquestionably require and to add anything else that springs to mind. When it comes to my wardrobe, I start by writing down all of the days that I'll be there, as well as any particular activities (such as sit-down dinners, weddings, or hikes) where I'll need to have a clearer notion of what I'm actually going to wear.
Ask the travel expert: What items to carry in a backpack when going on a trek? Packing too much or too little is one of the biggest mistakes you can make on a trekking trip.
— KRISH Mohan (@raykittu) October 17, 2019
from Travel-Magazines-Economic Times https://t.co/JyA97XuQxg pic.twitter.com/Vgbgjq6BCK
You will have time to order that packable straw hat you need for your cabana in Tulum if you start at least a week in early. You will also have time to have the jacket that has been sitting in your other luggage unpacked for several months professionally dry cleaned. I recommend spelling up practically everything you'll need to pack on your own list, including a hair brush, an additional pair of contact lenses, and a toothbrush, just in case something gets left behind. That way, when it's the night before your early wake-up time, you'll feel more calm and assured that you've remembered to pack everything you'll need, and you won't have to worry about forgetting anything.
How has your vacation packing evolved since you started using coved?
"I've travelled a few times in 2021 so far, and for me, it's all about the efficiency of your personal item bag. I'm sure you feel the same way. It is important to me to have all of my critical goods, such as my passport, credit card, an extra mask, and hand sanitizer, in a bag that is both safe and easy to access. I want to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible, and I don't want to waste any time rummaging around in my purse trying to find my identification and holding up the queue while I do it.
What is a time-saving trick that you always use when packing?
"I've only recently started using packing cubes. For a very long time, I chose not to accept the hype and instead opted to simply roll or stuff my belongings in my backpack instead of using a suitcase. My entire process of packing has gotten more organised ever since I made the decision to purchase a set of packing cubes. I will either pack specific outfits together, use the cubes to keep shoes that I do not want to get scuffed up, or group comparable pieces (like t-shirts) together, but this will depend on the trip and what I'm bringing with me. When I go home, I'll store all of my soiled clothes into one cube, which will make it much easier for me to unpack.
What is one space-saving strategy that you make use of?
"In addition to making a packing list in advance and utilising packing cubes, I'll do a version of the famous Coco Chanel quote: 'Before you leave the house, look in the mirror, and take at least one thing off.'" That means I will arrange everything I intend to bring with me on a flat surface and then determine which one or two things I can leave behind. Should I really bring both of these sweaters? Will merely one be sufficient? The same holds true for various toiletries. In most cases, I am able to make it through a five-day trip without using either of my face moisturisers.
Related link : Stunning Black-sand Beaches, National Parks, and Dormant Volcanoes Can Be Found in This Spanish Archipelago
What is the most common and embarrassing error that you observe other people making while they are packing for a lengthy trip?
"I'm a recovering overpacker, which is a result of the fact that I used to have a closet full of clothes that could be worn on their own. Bringing along this kind of garments makes packing less efficient, which is especially problematic for extended journeys. Rather than doing that, you should make an investment in timeless separates that can be worn in a variety of ways. That way, rather of stuffing your checked bag full of all of the dresses, blouses and trousers you believe you'll wear, you'll be able to create an on-the-go closet that consists of pieces that are readily interchangeable and can be worn in a variety of combinations to make a large number of different ensembles. To finish out my trip wardrobe, I usually purchase items from Everlane, Mango, and Vince, which are all great companies for this kind of attire.
What about for a quick weekend getaway?
When going on a short trip, bringing too many pairs of shoes is unquestionably the worst packing mistake that can be made. Since you'll be there for no more than two or three days, you shouldn't bring any more than three pairs of shoes with you. The location and the time of year will, of course, have an impact on the shoes that you bring with you, but the formula should be essentially the same. The equivalent of a good pair of elegant boots for the autumn and winter is a fine pair of leather sandals for the summer, which are versatile enough to be dressed up or down. If you have space for one additional pair of shoes, a block heel (or loafer, for gentlemen) for dressed-up events can do the trick. The travel sneaker is an essential item that can be worn during every season and is ideal for exploring your trip.
What is the most egregious error in packing that you have ever committed, and what was the most important lesson you took away from it?
"I was 20 years old when I went to London for a few days over the month of October. In addition to bringing a large duffel bag and a backpack, both of which were stuffed with clothes I had no intention of wearing, I did not bring a coat with me. I thought that a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit indicated that it was warm... I was mistaken in my thinking. Not only did I not have the appropriate apparel with me, but I had also brought a pair of heels with a heel height of five inches to wear at night. If you have ever tried to walk in heels on cobblestones from the 1800s, you understand why this was a horrible idea. To make a long tale short, I've realised that I need to give greater consideration to the packing process, wear heels that are more appropriate for the occasion, and always, always check the forecast.
One more, because I've really been in quite a few situations similar to this one in the past. You are required to fill out either a customs form or an entry form if you travel outside of the country. Always remember to have a pen with you in your carry-on or personal item. Nobody likes to be the passenger who has to hang about and look for an extra pen or ask other passengers if they would mind if they borrowed their pen once it's been used up.
Which carry-on luggage do you most frequently use?
"I've tried out a few different kinds of carry-on luggage, and out of all of them, the Away Bigger Carry-On is by far my favourite of the bunch. It's not only lightweight but also roomy, and it hasn't failed me yet. In addition, I can attest that it has a capacity that is at least one or two outfits higher than any of the other carry-on bags I own. Even though I've become a better packer over the years, when time is of the essence, I still tend to bring more things with me than I need.
Do you recommend any more essential accessories for packing?
It might be difficult for many travellers to achieve the ideal airport look, which consists of being both comfortable and well-put-together at the same time. There is a general consensus that sweatpants and leggings do not project an image that is appropriate for a professional setting. My go-to travel outfit consists of an oversized jacket, a basic tank top or t-shirt, and trousers. This is because an oversized blazer is typically the ideal layer for airports and aeroplanes. You look the part if you're going to a professional function, but if you're jetting off to a holiday spot, take off the jacket, put on your sunglasses, and you're ready to go.