The Packing Tips Digest, Issue 1

As I near the end of my England trip (one month to go), I’ve been thinking about the insane amount of travel I’ve been doing over the last year and a half (I’ve spent anywhere from three days to three months in Washington DC, San Francisco, Boston, Edinburgh, London, Louisville, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles) and I decided to think about my travels and put together a little series on packing for both the business and the tourist traveler (because my trips have always included both). So I guess this is part one.

The first tip I would offer is to try to anticipate what types of activities you will be engaging in while you are away (sight seeing or business? Will you be largely outdoors or indoors?) and pack a limited number of versatile items that you can mix and match.

So, to use my recent two month stint in Washington DC, I packed a pair of tailored jeans that look quite business casual but I can also roll the cuffs up and pair them with sneakers and create a more casual, sight seeing look. So here I am looking like a lunatic in front of the Washington Monument.



Or I brought some sleeveless blouses which are perfect for hot weather, outdoor sightseeing but can be paired with a cardigan to be suitable for a day in the archives. So here I am in Georgetown on the famous Exorcist steps in a very basic Ann Taylor blouse.



Scarves are always a good idea, they don’t take up a lot of room in a suitcase and can change the look of just about any outfit. It’s a neat trick to optimize your travel wardrobe. For example, this leopard scarf ($5 from a street vendor in NYC) transforms a basic black outfit outside of my rented DC apartment.



This photo really has no relevance, I was just looking at my DC photos and saw it again and chuckled.



I love how this sign seems to be suggesting that you just might casually run into George Clooney if you pay the entrance fee for the Newseum (I also love the name). I guess Clooney was out sick or something when I went.