Oops, I did it again.
I just got back from a pretty spectacular trip to paradise: the gorgeous island of O'ahu. My husband and I went there to celebrate 25 years of marriage. And we had the best time eating ridiculous amounts of food with ridiculous ocean views. It truly was paradise.
These days, every time I go to pack, I'm confident in myself that I will pack right. I've talked many times here about how I've learned to pack well, and as a minimalist, not only pack well, but pack in five minutes because it doesn't take long anymore. It's a breeze, and I want to keep it this way.
But this time, though I knew better, I still overpacked shoes. Yes, this is because I have a weakness for shoes, but it was also because I didn't have a key piece in my wardrobe. Let me explain.
Most everything else I packed, I packed right. For a week's vacation, I was able to mix and match all my clothes. There was a single pair of shorts and one skirt I brought that I didn't wear, and that was because it had been a long time since wearing them; I didn't realize how uncomfortable I was in them. (I immediately gave them away as soon as I got home, by the way. No use keeping space for them.) Everything else was spot on. Yay, me!
But, the shoes... so I packed like six pairs. Guys, I know. You don't get it. But for women, we need shoes that go with different outfits because in Hawai'i, we like to change for meals. Just how it is. (It also happens to be a severe weakness for me.) So, for dinner with my dresses, I brought several sandals. I realized while I was packing that:
1. I still have too many sandals I don't wear. I brought several because one pair went with one outfit, and the other went with the other. Why was I able to mix and match my clothes but not my shoes? That was my problem. I had the key piece of clothing to blend, but I didn't have the right key sandals to blend in with the mix-and-match outfits. That's when I realized I...
2. Needed a key sandal for all my outfits. I needed a neutral sandal that went with the maxi dress, one that went with my sundress, and one that went with a skirt. This same sandal could also be worn with my shorts and other outfits. This explained why I was frustrated with choosing the right shoes for the trip, standing in my closet with numerous sandals in my hands. Nothing worked for everything, and that got me to actually...
3. Buy the key piece while on my trip. I know. Crazy, but I was in a clothing shop on the island looking at a sandal, and it was exactly what I needed to go with everything. So, I bought it! And it really did go with every outfit. To the point that I ended up wearing them nearly exclusively every day. And left the other five pairs of sandals I brought just sitting in a heap in the hotel closet.
I don't think I've ever purchased a key piece for my wardrobe while on vacation before, but there is a first for everything. And in this case, it was exactly what I wanted and needed.
If I had had these sandals before the purchase, I could've left the other pairs at home. My packing for this trip (minus the one skirt and shorts, which were my fault... I should've tried them on before packing, and minus the extra sandals) would have been perfect otherwise.
I have a trip coming up to Florida in February. I'm determined not to overpack one single item. And I can't wait to do it and tell you all about it. This time, it's going to be just right! Learn from me. Make sure you love what you want to wear, that it fits you, and that it mixes and matches with everything in your wardrobe.
If you don't have those key pieces, find them, make your outfits revolve around the key pieces (like the sandals, or the blouse, or the pants), then eliminate the extras. Pare down, pare down, and, ultimately, pare down to love.
Happy travels!
No comments:
Post a Comment