For those of you that haven't done it before, it could be a little overwhelming. Here a few tips to help you pair down when packing...
One. Lay out your outfits for each day & then try them on. If you don't love the look at home, you probably wont on vacation either. Only pack one outfit per day. At the end you can add a versatile piece like a jean jacket to add a layer/change a look.
Two. Pack neutrals -- both for clothes & shoes. I like to wear tennis shoes and pack a pair of neutral sandals {or booties if it's a winter trip}. That's it! Don't pack clothes that you would need both black and brown shoes for. Stay with a consistent color palette for the trip. You can add pops of color with jewelry which is small and easy to pack.
Three. Wear bulkier clothes & shoes on travel day. If you're taking a plane, you'll probably want layers anyways.
Four. Buy travel sizes of your favorite hair and face products {& keep them in a bag specifically for travel so it's ready to go when you're packing}
Five. If you're taking a hat, consider wearing it. If you want to pack it, fill the hat with clothes {this is a great spot for pajamas, swimwear, under garments, & scarves} and put it upside down in you the bottom of your suitcase. Use the surrounding space to place your rolled clothes.
Six. Skip the things you don't need -- most hotels have hairdryers that work good enough, you probably don't need your robe for a week long family vacation, I bet you can get by with 3 pair of gym shorts/tanks if you bring fresh sports bras/underwear for each session, maybe pack enough swimsuit coverups for every other day, swimsuits are easily hand-washed and air dried so you don't need a new one each day, etc.
Seven. If you're staying stateside, you're likely going to do a supplies/grocery run anyways. Consider adding diapers, sunscreen, beach toys, etc. to your list so you don't have to use luggage space for them.
