The Packing Battle: What I Packed vs. What I Wore

Packing for trips is always a challenge: figuring out the list of what to take, how many tops, bottoms, extras, etc., to take, planning for weather and unexpected activities. For me, packing is always a hassle, and each trip dependent has different requirements, so every time is like the first time to do it.
Packing is a large part of my travel preparation. I start way in advance of the trip. I usually make a list by day and activity, planning out what I’ll wear for each event. I coordinate colors and wear things more than once. I try to anticipate the weather-don’t we all- and that adds a complicating layer as well.

I think I pack pretty well-not too heavy, not too light; but I did a packing check-up on myself and as a result I will need to rethink my packing planning.

This Trip: I just got back from a 10 day family vacation in Colorado. We skied, we went out to eat, we had fun with friends and family. And we celebrated Christmas and New Year’s Eve with a large group.
I would need clothes for all those activities: skiing, evenings out, hanging out in the condo, a bathing suit for the hot tub, dressier clothes for the holiday events, plus boots and shoes and all the extras like hats, scarves and gloves and coats.

Here is a photo of the clothes that I packed:

Across the top: nightshirt, scarves, ski pants/jacket, down coat, hats, head bands.

In the middle: 2 Eagle Creek compression sacks for underwear, socks, bathing suit, several pairs long johns, 5 microfiber shirts for skiing, shoes, boots, gloves, goggles, extra hats
Foreground: cardigan, fleece jackets and fleece vest, long bathrobe, ski sweater, more fleece tops, 3 pr. black pants, 6 tops.

Not pictured: ski boots and extras in the ski boot bag: toiletries kit;

I had 3 pieces of luggage for this trip:
A 28″ Eagle Creek Tarmac bag, a ski boot bag, and an overnight bag.
Here is link to a newer version of my suitcase: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/tarmac-28/d/1013

I actually had more room than I needed in the suitcase.  Since we were driving to Colorado I didn’t need to save space. Not everything pictured had to fit into the one suitcase.  In  another post I will detail  the  type of trip where everything does have to fit in one suitcase and tote bag. The main point here is I did have a lot of clothes with me on this trip.

Now for the photo of what I actually wore while on the vacation:

Top row: Minus scarves and hats/headbands
Middle row: Minus bathing suit, extra long johns, tennis shoes, 3 skiing tops, extra goggles and hats
Foreground: Minus fleece jacket, ski sweater, fleece top, 2 pr. pants, 2 tops.

Outcome: I didn’t wear at least a third of my clothes. I did laundry halfway through the trip because the condo had washer and dryer-how great is that?
Obviously I overestimated the changes of clothes necessary for the various activities.

This packing test is one I’d like to repeat: Identify the clothes I’m packing before the trip and then review what was actually worn on the trip, hopefully packing more efficiently the next time.

Have you ever analyzed what you took on your trip vs. what you actually wore on your trip and then tried to pack differently for the next trip?
Would love to hear your stories and comments!