For reasons that remain rather inscrutable to us, my husband and I travel frequently over weekends in the winter and spring. But whether we’re visiting family for 5 days or just heading out for a weekend wedding one thing remains the same: we are devoted carry-on-ers. If you are as Google-crazy as I am, you have probably googled “wedding weekend what to pack” or some such thing and you’ve probably read lots of advice columns about packing mix-and-matchable outfits that don’t need ironing. But while that’s helpful on some level, it’s way more fun with pictures:
Here’s the spread that I’m packing for a wedding weekend in Colorado. The weather will be on the brisk side — highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid-20s — so a coat, hat, and gloves will of course also feature. The only non-casual event for the weekend is the wedding itself, so my packing list is fairly simple.
The List:
- 2 jersey dresses: a black and white print one for the wedding and a navy one for casual time
- 1 yellow sweater
- 1 long gray cashmere blend cardigan
- 2 long tees: a purple one and a white one with a lace print
- 1 pair of straight leg jeans
- 2 pairs of shoes: low wedge cognac boots and gray wedge heels
- Blue ombre scarf/wrap
- Necklaces – orange and red; earring tin (not pictured)
- Purple clutch
- Brown leather belt
- Pajamas (the purple stripey business)
- 3 neutral camis: cream lace, brown, and black
- Undies (not pictured)
- 3 pairs of tights: purple, brown, and magenta
- 2 pairs of boot socks (not pictured)
The Plan:
A comfy yellow sweater and jeans for an early morning flight. The boots slip on an off easily at security and the scarf can act as a blanket or pillow once I’m on the plane.
Dinner with friends in the same jeans and boots, but with a rich purple tunic and a long sweater of a fine that makes it dressy enough for evening. I wouldn’t be surprised if an orange necklace made an appearance here, either, or if I decide to switch out the boots for the gray wedges.
A black and white floral print dress for the wedding can be punched up with purple tights, dangling earrings, and a purple croc clutch. The purple and gray combination freshen up the classic black and white and help make the outfit appropriate for a mid-afternoon wedding in chilly mid-March.
A jersey dress, the same warm cardigan, and boots make for an outfit that’s put-together enough to explore the city during the day and comfortable enough to fly home in at night.
The Rationale:
- On neutrals. I’m not one to limit my weekend to only one neutral, so I am cheerfully including gray, tan, and black as my building blocks. Gray and tan go beautifully together, as do black and gray, as do black and tan.
- On a color scheme. Some advice columns suggest that you pack around a particular color scheme, thus ensuring that everything in your suitcase will “go” with everything else. As you can tell from the hodge-podge of colors on the bed, I don’t totally buy that advice. I would grow weary of an all blue weekend. Instead, I have a mix of warm colors (a yellow sweater, red necklace, orange necklace, and warm cognac leather) and cool colors (a purple shirt, purple tights, and a blue scarf) that can play off each other in numerous ways, thanks to my trusty color wheel.
- On shoes. I’m making do with just two pairs of shoes — boots and a dressier wedge — but since each can be paired with either my jeans or my dresses I’ll never have a shoe dilemma even if I decide to change up a “planned” outfit.
How do you pack? Do you use a trip to debut new outfits or do you stick with tried and true favorites? Do you pack with specific ensembles in mind or do you wait for inspiration to strike once you open your suitcase at your destination? Do you pack around a color scheme? How many shoes must you have for a weekend away? I have a few more trips left this spring, so do share!
- e.
Thanks for sharing your packing plan with us! I’ll be referring back to this when I travel this summer. I have a bad habit of overpacking and then not even using everything I pack when I travel.
i love your steve madden boots! unfortunately, i can only find them on ebay… in the wrong size! they are the Iriss model, right? any ideas on where i could get them?
I am totally a google-it kinda girl. I just got back from a trip myself and I always have to have things listed out ahead of time, along with potential outfits. I sometimes even go as far as trying on my clothes before I pack them to make sure they’re what I will wear.
I also pack extras, mostly things that I can interchange in case of change of weather, plans, or heart.
:0]
By the way, just stumbled on this blog today and it’s awesome! Definitely coming back.
I am totally a google-it kinda girl. I just got back from a trip myself and I always have to have things listed out ahead of time, along with potential outfits. I sometimes even go as far as trying on my clothes before I pack them to make sure they’re what I will wear.
I also pack extras, mostly things that I can interchange in case of change of weather, plans, or heart.
:0]
By the way, just stumbled on this blog today and it’s awesome! Definitely coming back.
P.S.: Wanted to mention great post!
This is such a great post!!! Wonderful tips! :)
Way to go!
I once went to New York City in March for 4 days on a carry on. I felt pretty cool.
Like you, I took two pair of shoes: boots and flats. I wore the boots on the plane as well.
I can’t remember what else I packed, but I made sure to have a cozy scarf, hat and gloves to stay warm.
Thank you, all, for your kind words and excellent packing suggestions! Keep the ideas coming! I am heading out of town AGAIN this weekend for a conference, so I’ll be trying a different round of items for a professional environment.
Abbie, yes, the boots are Steve Madden’s Iriss model, and I’m sorry you’re having trouble finding your size on eBay! I actually was first looking for his Intyce style, but then found Iriss — which looks very similar — instead. So perhaps try looking for the Intyce boot, see if you like it, and see if you can eBay that one? Good luck!
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