Traveling is one of those things that I couldn’t live without. There is something about getting to a new place and exploring things you’ve never seen before that gives me a special type of happiness. The problem with being in the adult world is that PTO & time off requests exist, making it much harder for people to just jet off around the globe for weeks at a time. Back when I had a 9-5 job, it was pretty impossible to get time off. I basically had to sell my kidney just to get one day off. I’m so glad I no longer have to deal with a crazy strict work policy, but I still have to work with the constraints of my boyfriend’s job when we want to travel. Luckily, his work is MUCH more flexible than my previous employer, but we still like to save his PTO for long trips & time spent with family during the holidays.
Through the constant battle of wanting to travel & not wanting to take time off work, we have pretty much mastered the weekend getaway. I can definitely say that we have done more weekend trips the past six months than we have in our entire lives. They’ve mostly consisted of visits to nearby locations like Las Vegas, San Diego, and back home to Phoenix, but it’s been a pretty regular thing for us to do a quick road trip and be back in time for Colton to get to work on Monday.
I can definitely say that with all of my mini-travels, I have learned what and what not to pack for a quick getaway. I used to be the queen of overpacking and while I still often pack things I probably don’t need, I have figured out the essentials for what I need during a weekend trip. No matter where I’m going or what I’m doing, these 10 things are always brought along with me!
1. A Versatile Dress
Dresses are my favorite thing to pack for travels. They are so easy to throw on and look put together with minimal effort. Plus, they hardly take up any room in your suitcase. Find yourself a dress that you can wear in multiple ways. This one I’m wearing from Envy by Me is perfect for traveling because it’s so extremely versatile. I can wear a pair of sneakers for a casual daytime look and then switch them out for a pair of heels to go out at night. I can throw on a jacket and still look cute or I could even layer a white tee under it for ultimate 90’s vibes. Find a dress that you could wear all weekend long no matter what occasion. You never know what could pop up and you’ll need to have a dress on hand!
2. Denim Jacket
Denim jackets are my favorite lately, mostly because they go with everything. They are typically my go-to while traveling because they look good tied around your waist if it’s hot, but you can still have it handy if it starts to cool down. Plus, I find them to be surprisingly comfortable to wear on an airplane. If you’re worried about room in your suitcase, a denim jacket is an easy thing to bring along with you on a flight.
3. A Stylish & Comfy Pair of Leggings
Every girl in the world owes a big thank you to whoever invented leggings. While I’m not a wear leggings all day everyday type of girl, I still love to bring them along during my travels. They are great for wearing around the hotel or during plane rides and road trips. If you plan on doing a lot of walking, site-seeing or maybe even getting in a workout, leggings are a must-bring! I’m sure you will get at least one use out of them during your trip, no matter where you go!
4. Your Best Pair of Sneakers
I love that sneakers are so on-trend lately. They are the perfect thing to bring along while traveling because they are comfortable, stylish, and go with a multitude of different outfits. I typically bring along my Adidas Stan Smiths or my white Converse because they look great with pants, shorts, dresses, leggings, you name it! Try and pack a pair that you can wear with several different outfits.
5. A Pair of Heels or Booties
Now that you got your sneakers packed, it’s time to think about bringing along a fancier pair of shoes. For me, this is a pair of heels or some sort of booties. I like to bring a pair of shoes that I could wear to a nice dinner or even to a night club if the occasion presented itself. The key is to bring what’s going to be most comfortable in case you end up out late or walking around. No matter what, bringing along a nicer pair of shoes always comes in handy.
6. A Small Crossbody Bag
I am one to use a crossbody on a regular basis, but if you typically use a larger bag I recommend swapping it out for something smaller and more compact. There is nothing more annoying than trying to go about your day and having to lug around a huge purse. Bringing along a crossbody bag will make things much more convenient for you. You don’t have to worry about bringing a big bag with you while you’re out and about and it creates much less stress.
7. Your Favorite Pair of Jeans
I think it’s always necessary to have a pair of jeans with you when you’re traveling. The thing that sucks about packing jeans is that they take up quite a bit of space in your suitcase, so try and stick to just one pair that you can wear multiple times if needed. I usually grab my favorite pair of high-waisted Levi’s because they go with the majority of my clothes and look cute with any type of shoe. Find a pair that works best for you and stick to one option for your weekend trip.
8. A Classic Pair of Denim Shorts
Denim shorts are always a go-to for weekend trips because like jeans, they go with everything. Whether you need a coverup for the beach or something to wear on an adventure, denim shorts are always a great option. I usually bring along my favorite pair of mid-wash cut offs because I can pair them with 90% of my closet. They are cute and comfortable and I always get use out of them during a weekend getaway.
9. A Cozy Sweater or Sweatshirt
Similarly to leggings, brining along a sweater or sweatshirt is a great idea for when you want to be comfortable during your trip. I always bring a sweatshirt with me, especially for beach trips and weekends where I’ll spend time outside. I also love to bring them along on flights because I can ball it up and use it as a pillow if necessary. I recommend bringing one that’s fashionable so you can wear it while you’re out as well!
10. Essential Tops
When it comes to packing shirts, I try and stick to packing things in the same color palette. That way I can keep the amount of shoes I need to bring to a minimum. I also try and bring shirts that can be worn several different ways so I am prepared for any occasion. Some of my favorites that I tend to bring along with me are off the shoulder tops, a black bodysuit, and some sort of button down that I can tie around my waist or wear on its own. Bring items that you can mix and match so you can keep the amount of clothes you bring to a minimum and still have plenty of options!
Now that I’ve shared the main traveling essentials with you, I want to help you out just a little bit more! I have created a super cute, super organized FREE packing checklist for your next weekend getaway! It includes the 10 things I talked about above as well as your other necessities (ya know underwear, your phone charger, etc.) so you don’t forget a thing. All you have to do is enter your info below and you will get it sent straight to your inbox!
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