Packing is exciting.
I’ve been on the road for 15+ years and I still love packing, re-packing and even unpacking my bags.
However, after watching a good friend of mine recently have a small but not insignificant crisis moment about how and what to pack for a weekend in NYC, I realized that it’s not like that for everyone!
I’ve spent the best part of my adult life on the road living out of one bag or two motorcycle panniers so I do know a thing or two about how to pack, however…
Something important to note before we continue is that this is not a sponsored post and I’m no fashionista!
I’m also becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impacts of the fashion industry and for the past couple of years have been working towards designing a capsule wardrobe of high-quality vegan and eco-friendly items.
This packing guide is based around the multi-activity trips I run In Guatemala but I hope you’ll find it useful for other trips you’ve got planned too.
HOW I DECIDE WHAT TO PACK
It’s all about my itinerary and the weather.
1: ITINERARY
You’ll do yourself a massive favour by taking some time to think about what you’ll be doing each day so you don’t end up taking things you don’t need, or items which aren’t appropriate, you could totally avoid ruin-your-trip kind of holiday blisters by doing this step alone!
2: WEATHER
Check the weather. Are you travelling to a part of the world which has a rainy season? Will you be spending time at high altitudes? Will it be scorchio during the day and hot chocolate weather at night? Are you leaving a very cold climate and going to a very hot climate or vice versa and will that influence your ‘travel day’ outfits?
Guatemala has a great climate; it’s warm and sunny during the day so you can happily wear a dress or shorts and a t-shirt but because most of the trip is at an altitude of around 1500 m, early mornings and evenings get cool enough to need a jumper or jacket but if you didn’t know that it would be so easy to pack the wrong things.
3: STICK TO A COLOUR PALETTE
Because I’m on the move so much I hardly own any clothes and have a very small capsule wardrobe. I’ve stuck to a white, grey, blue and black colour palette for years because it works for me but if you’ve got a wardrobe full of clothes and don’t know where to start then pick 3 neutral colours and one accent colour and go from there.
I discovered through trial and error that not doing this made me look like I’d lost a fight in a jumble sale. Not a good look, live and learn friends live and learn.
THE 23 ITEMS I PACKED & USED FOR THIS TRIP
In total I packed and used:
- 3 pairs of shoes
- 7 tops + 2 jackets
- 2 dresses
- 5 bottoms
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 cap
- 1 pair of earrings
- Small crossbody bag
- Day bag for hiking
- Carry on suitcase
1: City Sneakers from Matt & Natt
2: Sturdy sandals from Blowfish
3: Hiking shoes from Wills Vegan Shoes
4: Oversized V neck sweater bought in H&M many years ago. If you know of a good vegan, eco-friendly shop or company that sells something similar please spread the love and let everyone know in the comments below 🙂
5 + 6: White and blue t-shirts from some random street market in Colombia but check out this amazing company for great t-shirt options
7: Black lacey Cami from Asos
8: White tank top I bought a million years ago on a trip to NYC but I check out Know The Origin for quality cotton basics
9: Blue vest top, currently on its last legs – similar from H&M
10: Long sleeve white shirt, stolen from a friend and never returned (sorry Suze) – similar from Know The Origin
11: Jean jacket, ancient – similar from Everlane I’m still learning lots about ethical fashion and know that the denim industry has some pretty nasty environmental consequences so if you have any tips, tricks or advice or know of any more good eco-friendly denim options definitely let me know in the comments below
12: Outdoor jacket from Patagonia
13: Black jeans from Zara in Mexico City which I think is the best Zara in the world – similar from Everlane
14 & 15: These are both from Gymshark
16: White linen trousers from Uniqlo
17: Jean shorts from a second-hand shop in San Jose, Costa Rica – similar from Able
18: Midi day dress is a new part of my capsule wardrobe bought on a recent trip back to Europe from New Look
19: Midi night dress from Uniqlo
20: Crossbody bag from Natt & Matt
21: Carry on bag from Osprey
22: Day bag for hiking from Osprey
23: Cap from Salomon
24: One piece swimming costume from a shop in Rio in Brazil but when I get really brave I’m going to start wearing these from Batoko
25: Earrings from People Tree
I love doing this, I find it organizes my mind as well as my suitcase!
You can download the printable packing planner right here >>
WHAT I WORE EACH DAY
I really hope that helps, if you would like to know more about the trips I run in Guatemala, click here, next trips starts January the 07, 2023!
Emma x
