June 8, 2006

Great Packing Is Key to an Unforgettable Getaway

With all of the last-minute details involved in planning a wedding, most couples tend to put off honeymoon packing until the very last minute. Not a good idea, according to the Fashion Design instructors at The Art Institutes.
“Pack at least one week before your honeymoon,” says Laura Portolese Dias, Academic Director of Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Seattle. “That way you have a good idea of what you have or don’t have, and have time to get what you need.”
Speaking from recent experience, Dias was getting ready for her own fall honeymoon and realized that many summer items she planned on taking had been packed or given away. When she went shopping, fall merchandise was in full swing. “Plan ahead and consider the temperature of where you’re heading. Had I planned better, I could have taken advantage of summer sales and been completely prepared,” she says.
As for arriving wrinkle-free, Dias suggests packing easy fabrics. “Despite the backlash against polyester, I love the textile. It’s versatile, looks great and best of all, you can cram polyester into a suitcase and it won’t wrinkle.”
For Laura Songer Egeln, a fashion instructor with The Art Institute of Charlotte, selecting key pieces that go with others can save space and keep packing hassle-free.
Says Egeln, “Whether you’re packing for cold or warm weather, select neutral colors that can be matched to make more outfits, for example, one pair of slacks that match with three different blouses or jackets. Try accenting with color and patterns, especially with accessories like scarves or jewelry.”
It’s always a good idea to pack a carry-on, which includes all the necessary toiletries, nightclothes and fresh undergarments. “That way,” says Egeln, “if your luggage gets lost, you can be comfortable until your suitcase is found, or you can go shopping.”
Other expert tips for a successful honeymoon include:
• Select one pair of comfortable shoes that will coordinate with at least three outfits; pick a dressier pair that will go with at least two.
• In addition to polyester, consider packing crepe or knit fabrics that won’t require ironing.
• Roll your clothes instead of flat folding them; it saves on wrinkles and space.
• Don’t bring a blow-dryer; it takes up valuable space and most hotels have them standard in rooms.
• Don’t take expensive jewelry or other sentimental items along for the ride; you never know how secure your belongings are.
• Consider purchasing a suitcase or bag with expandable compartments because you usually don’t put the same effort into packing items tightly for the trip home.
• Pack a small or medium size bag for any extra items you purchase on your trip.
• Depending on where you’re going and how informal you can be, consider bringing a backpack along; they can accommodate a considerable amount and are easy to carry.
Perhaps the most important tip of all pertains to how much clothing to bring with you in the first place. Says Dias, “On my honeymoon, I only wore half of what I brought. This left less room to buy things — enough said?”