I’ve been so excited for my first solo “back in action” trip. My mother agreed to care for Baby Points Traveler, so that I could have a weekend for myself (complete with lots of sleeping in). What a great belated birthday gift!
In short, my extended-weekend plans looked like this: Thursday and Friday in Seattle for the Freddie Awards and some mingling at the FTU cocktail hour followed by a somewhat impromptu hop to Miami for a few nights… since I’m officially over the never-ending winter in NJ.
At 5 am on Thursday morning, my groggy-eyed self packed my carry-on. Apparently I had sun and sand on my mind, because I filled my suitcase with lots of cute skirts and sundresses, along with sweats and pajamas.
Turns out, I forgot to pack any tops! I knew I couldn’t strut around town in my Cathay Pacific pajama top, and wearing a summer dress in chilly Seattle wasn’t going to cut it either. Adding to the stress was the fact that I was at the Holiday Inn airport hotel with no shopping in close vicinity.
I had to get creative. I ended up taking a mini skirt and wearing it as top for the time being… hey, it worked (it actually matched my jeans too!).
Once dressed in my make-shift outfit, I set out to join Kendra and a nice group of others to go thrifting in downtown Seattle. I always love a good deal, and now that I was short on “regular” clothes, I had the perfect excuse to go shopping.
In the end, I made out pretty well – I got a perfect fitting pair of jeans for just $5.74 and a top for $2.50.
One thing though – I think it’s time to revamp my packing strategies for the future. While, I love to pack lightly when traveling (I spent 5 days in Brazil last year with just the backpack shown below… yes I even had my computer and heels in there), I tend to forget some of the basics here and there.
 I’d love to hear some similar stories! How did you survive your packing mishap?
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Nothing as bad as your situation, but on a winter trip to New Zealand and Australia, the coat I packed wasn’t warm enough. I was traveling with my dad, and he spotted a wonderful, warm jacket he wanted to get for himself. He was trying to find reasons not to buy it, but I convinced him to go for it and to give me the old one he was wearing. I layered his jacket with my LL Bean coat and survived the snowy weeks in New Zealand.
Glad you made out so well, especially given your circumstances!
could be worse.. once i forgot my sunglasses!
My general strategy is to keep a bag permanently packed for a 3 day trip. I usually wash / re-pack it as soon as I get back from one trip just so I’m ready to go on the next. It works better for me though because men’s clothes tend to be fairly similar for most situations.
Love the Tumi bag … you’ve got great taste!
ugh…packing haha
I do most of my packing for myself and my two toddlers (and sometimes my husband too).
This weekend we were planning an impromptu trip to New Mexico (which we cancelled last minute due to weather changes) but I spent a couple hours yesterday packing for all of us.
I’ve found that I seem to have created a generic travel wardrobe and I know I can always grab those pieces and I’ll be fine. I also keep my Emirates first class amenity kit packed with all the toiletries I would need at all times.
When it comes to packing for my kids though, I almost always forget something. As long as it isn’t diapers and wipes though, we can generally get creative enough to make it work.
Glad you had a great thrifting trip! I was just in Portland last week and spent some time thrifting and came home with some great scores!
I go to the nearest Marshalls or Tj maxx
I’ve went on vacation with just underwear, bras, and PJs packed in an huge suitcase so I could go shopping. I normally do this when I go to Florida so I can shop at my favorite stores. That’s the only way I can get them home without having to either ship them or purchase another suitcase.
Airlines lost my luggage but assured me it would arrive any minute. Naively I believed this and did not go shopping for the concert I went to that night. Ended up wearing a t shirt and cargo pants while surrounded by girls in short dresses and heels. At first I was mortified then by the end realised how much fun I had in my relaxed outfit. I can now deal with a packing mishap by NOT CARING WHAT I WEAR!!
I forgot underwear last year on a trip. Luckily I was driving and could go to the Bali outlet store which was very close. No idea how that happened.
I have an Excel packing checklist. Easy to add and delete stuff as needed and I never forget anything.
When I travel, at most times I will wear older clothes that I would have donated anyway and somehow either give them away in the country I’m visiting or throw them away (so I have room for new clothes/souvenirs.)