How to Live Out of a Suitcase in Style

I think we've all struggled with having to live out of a suitcase for some period of our lives. Whether it is a week away at grandma's, a family vacation, study abroad, or Spring Break visiting your boyfriend in Montana. The last is my current situation and I always find it frustrating, yet liberating to live with a small portion of my belongings. We may think we have to sacrifice style when on the road, but I refuse to find this the case and have 5 solutions on how to remain true to your style while away from your beloved closet.

1. Pack pieces that make you feel happy, relaxed and "you." This will simply improve your overall time away, which I think we most all can agree is exhilarating and beneficial for our mental health. Travel blogger, Gigi's goal is, "to feel beautiful, sexy, and confident while on the road. Which means packing things that make me feel good." Therefore, it is important to love each item you pack. I aim to treasure each and every article of clothing I take along, because I know it will make me feel happy and comfortable. Comfortable can still be stylish. Go ahead and pack lounge clothes, but aim for black leggings and long cardigans over sweats. You'll feel more confident yet cozy cute.

2. Pack layers so you're ready for all weather types. Sometimes we can't rely on the weather forecast, especially if you're traveling in areas that have inconsistent conditions. For this reason, you'll maximize space by packing layers so you can strip down in sunny conditions and bundle up in the snow. Travel writer Caroline says, "How can you really pack a parka and a dress for the same trip? If you learn how to layer what you already have, you won’t have to pack nearly as much."                             

3. Stick with a few key accessories and jewelry items that will coordinate with most outfits. Between silver, gold, and bronze, what will match your ensembles best? Go with the metal that is going to match your coloring as well as clothing choices best, which in my case is gold. Or in Gigi's case, pack one of each so you're ready for all occasions. Either way, this should limit your jewelry to just a few items. Pick a neutral colored purse so that it will coordinate will all your ensembles. If you're traveling in winter, pack 3 scarfs, any more and they can add a lot of space, especially if made from bulky fabrics. Go for a neutral or black one, a colorful printed one and a solid one in a current seasonal color. 

4. Don't pack more than 3 pairs of shoes. You should only need two to three pairs of shoes depending on where you're going. If it's an arctic wonderland, stick with 2 pairs of boots, heeled and flat. If you're headed to Cancun-like weather, go with a pair of beach sandals, going out heels, and comfy flats for shopping. Glamour editors suggest taking versatile shoes. Therefore, take cute sandals that could triple in use as beachwear, afternoon souvenir shopping and beach club dancing.  

5. Try to stick to one suitcase. Trust me, one large suitcase is better than two smaller ones. Think about when you're rolling your suitcase across the airport; having to keep an eye on one big item makes more sense. 

For more tips on packing check out Travel Fashion Girl's different packing lists according to your travel situation at http://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/. Enjoy your travels and be stylin on the go! 

Sources:

http://gigigriffis.com/how-to-stay-stylish-while-living-out-of-a-bag-part-i/
http://herpackinglist.com/2012/08/staying-stylish-while-traveling/

http://travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/