Packing Effectively For Spring Break

Author: Jeremy Candelas

From my completely unscientific observations, when girls go somewhere for the weekend, they bring a suitcase just for shoes. They spend a night somewhere and bring a Nordstrom warehouse along with them. They pack three outfits for each day of the trip.

…Which makes me think that packing for spring break must be a nightmare.

If you’re one of those people who has to bring every article of clothing you own on vacation, pay close attention. Or you could go back to trying to close the suitcase you’ve been sitting on for the last three hours.

Hopefully you’ve already thought about your plans for spring break, considering it starts this weekend. If not, now is the time to get on that – like, right now. First, think about where you’re going. If you’re planning to hit the beach somewhere, obviously you’re going to want to bring your swimwear along with you. You don’t want to end up like this guy:

No matter how trendy you think you look, or how great those over-exposed, heavily photoshopped pictures of couples in pants and sweaters at the beach looked, you’re going to look ridiculous if you don’t dress appropriately. You’re smart enough to know what the essentials are, so we’re not giving you a packing list.

If you’re going to NYC, it’s not getting too warm next week (highs in the upper 40s and mid-50s), and it’ll be a bit rainy. You might want to pack a sweater and a light jacket for the rain. Think smart, pack smart, dress smart.

Next, you need to plan how much to pack. How long are you actually staying there? If you’re only staying for a few days, do you really need to bring three suitcases and a backpack? Chances are you don’t, even if you’re staying for the whole break. Pack the essentials, and try to plan out what you’ll wear each day to cut down on unnecessary clothes.

When it comes to shampoos and soaps, realize that you don’t have to bring your full-size bottles with you. Many stores carry travel-size items, and you always have the option of buying them at your final destination or using the free ones available at your hotel.

Yes, knowing how to fold your shirt like a ninja is certainly very cool. And perhaps it’s useful for putting clothes away in drawers. But when it comes to packing, there are much more efficient methods.

Individuals who travel a lot know that rolling is the most effective method. Yes, rolling your clothes. I was skeptical at first – but then surprised by how much extra space was left when I did. Additionally, it helps prevent wrinkles for those of you who still can’t use an iron.

When it comes to socks, stuff them into your shoes. You save space and keep the shape of your shoes.

If this packing guide made no sense to you (how dare I suggest you pack only two pairs of shoes?), I tried, I really did. Whether or not, on behalf of Slope Media, we hope you have a fun (and safe) spring break!