My “wardrobe equation” for stress-free vacation prep
You know that stress you get right before a trip—when you still have packages of clothes and accessories arriving, but you also need to pack, get your nails done, spray tan, haircut, etc.? Well, this time around, I did things differently, and I’m going to break it all down for you so you’re not stressing, but instead slinking into your vacation with ease and grace. 😌
First tip: you’ll need to start this process two months before your trip. Yes, you read that right. Two months. I know—it sounds wild compared to how it’s usually done, but this will ensure you’re calm and collected in the final days before departure.
And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably saying, “Oh, I can’t possibly buy clothes that far ahead—I’m definitely going to stick to my diet and drop a dress size before my trip.” I hate to say it, but again, if you’re anything like me… you won’t. 😅 Oh well. C’est la vie.
So, without further ado, let me peel back the layers on how to enjoy vacation prep.
1. Review your itinerary and map out every outfit. I did this using the Notes app on my iPhone. It looked something like this:
2. Add it all up. This will be your guiding light for what you actually need. And I mean need. This process is designed to identify the essentials—and weed out the rest. Hint: you’ll be returning things that don’t complete your “wardrobe equation.” That equation is simply everything required to build each outfit.
3. Shop (but don’t get attached). Here comes the fun part: shop, shop, shop! I’ll be honest—I spent thousands on clothes, shoes, swimwear, accessories, and travel gear. I went crazy 🫣 and ordered so many cute things. But don’t get too excited… you’re not going to keep it all.
4. Build each outfit with intention. This is where the math comes in. Start designing the outfits you’ll wear each day—for every activity. Include everything: undergarments, accessories, jewelry, and shoes. Ask yourself, “What’s already in my closet that works with these new pieces?” “What’s still missing?” and “What can I mix and match?”
5. Take photos of your outfits and assign them. Snap pics of each completed outfit and match them to your itinerary. This will help you keep only what serves a purpose on the trip.
6. Ruthlessly return what doesn’t fit the equation. This is the hard part: return anything that doesn’t fit into the “wardrobe equation.” Save some versatile pieces for mixing and matching, but otherwise—RETURN IT! I ended up sending back 60% of what I bought. The stores probably hated me, but again… c’est la vie.
7. Finish with time to spare (and breathe). By now, your wardrobe equation should be solved, and you should be about two to three weeks out from your trip. Fair warning: you will be exhausted. Buying, returning, buying again. It doesn’t get resolved in one day—it may take several tries. It did for me!
With your wardrobe finalized, now you get to enjoy your beauty appointments and do some last-minute Amazon shopping for travel essentials—like a dual-voltage travel steamer, anti-theft locks for your purse, and shoe covers for inside your luggage.
Finally: Enjoy your trip! And don’t forget to return any unused Amazon items once you’re back—you’ll actually have the time to do it now!