When traveling as part of your job or with your family, following a packing plan is not only smart, it can be vital in terms of keeping your cool and making sure you have everything you need. In general, I’m a big advocate for working off of a packing list and making sure everyone is coordinated. But, when presented with a chance to travel for fun, sans fam, lists and plans are the last thing on my mind. If you have a solo or romantic trip in your near future, don’t sweat what goes in your suitcase, instead feel free to lean into these common packing mistakes.

A practical person would advise against bringing garments you’ve never worn before. However, it’s also fun to shop for a vacation and have something shiny and new to bring along on your adventure. Sure, by not having tried and tested pieces, you run the risk of painful shoes or too-tight jeans, but you also have a chance to look and feel fabulous in a breezy new dress that you wouldn’t have purchased if not for the trip.

Whether you roll, fold, or use packing cubes, when it comes right down to it, how you pack really doesn’t matter. Sure, it’s great to be organized with everything having a place and everything in its place. But there’s something extra adventurous about throwing things in a bag and hitting the open road; wrinkles be damned! For a fun girls’ weekend or a personal retreat, leave the pieces that need to be pressed at home, and pack clothes that are comfortable, fun, and fabulous.

If you’re pressed for space, especially if you’re trying not to check a bag for a flight, the smart packer will only bring one of a certain type of item. One pair of jeans, one pair of heels, one jacket, one purse, etc. But, what if you spill something on those jeans, or your regular day bag just doesn’t go with your LBD? Plan on checking that bag and free yourself up to bring along multiple items, outfits, and accessories.

Of course, multiples of everything does result in overpacking. I am a habitual overpacker, living by the rule of it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. This has left me hauling around a heavy bag and rummaging through clothes I don’t end up wearing trying to find the piece I actually need. So, instead of bringing back-ups for everything, go the minimalist route and make do with only a carry-on. Take it as a challenge to see how little you can get away with on your vacay, or plan on buying some of your basics once you arrive at your destination. Again, tap into that sense of adventure by tossing whatever you have on hand in your bag before heading out for wherever your journey takes you.

Sticking to a simple color palette with pieces you can mix and match for various outfits is a go-to packing method, but it can be a bit boring. When you’re traveling for fun, pack fun clothes, i.e., those statement pieces in vibrant colors and patterns. Who cares if they can be mixed or match.
Traveling for pleasure, be it a trip to Vegas or a week by the lake, is different for different people. No matter your destination, don’t be too concerned with packing the right way. Go ahead, make “mistakes” and pack whatever makes you feel your best.