Guest post by Maralyn Hassell
Do you want to pack light, but feel unsure of how to streamline your packing list of clothes?
Read on to find out more about the Power of 3 – a fool proof method to help you pack light, whether you are travelling for 1 week or 1 month.
Page contents
Changing my habits
Who else has packed everything but the kitchen sink for a trip they’ve been on? Taking items because you don’t know what will happen, or you want to take it “just in case” is quite common. The downside to this is you end up with an incredibly heavy case, and usually a lot of unworn items by the end of your trip.
My husband told me one year that I could only take what I could carry! I couldn’t go with the massive checked in bag AND hand luggage case I’d been used to.
By giving me this ultimatum, it suddenly focused my mind on what clothes I was taking, and why. I am now a reformed packer, especially for short trips (and longer ones if washing facilities are available).
I would like to share my Power of 3 clothing technique with you, in the hope it helps you to pack light when travelling.
The Power of 3
I have devised what I call the “Power of 3” when packing clothes for my holidays. So far, it has worked well for all the trips I’ve taken, as my husband and I are lucky enough to be retired, enabling us to travel several times each year.
The basic principle is:
- Take clothing items in multiples of 3.
- Choose a complimentary colour palate i.e. blue and white.
- Ensure your items can be mixed and matched with each other.
Here is an outline of the types of items to take when using the Power of 3 (Po3) principle:
Naturally you can adjust the type of items in this list to match your preference. If you never wear skirts, or a skirt isn’t suitable for the type of weather, replace it with trousers, or crops, or leggings. The principle will be the same, but you can tailor this list to YOUR style. Additionally, should you want to take an extra outfit for a special evening, you can add this in as well as it can be counted as a miscellaneous item.
- Related AWTT Content: How to spend a few days in delightful Dubrovnik
What clothes should I travel in?
Some of your travel outfit is not counted as part of your Power of 3 list, and some is. Ideally, you will wear the heaviest pair of shoes from your Power of 3 choices, and your outer layer, but then you can choose an additional top, an additional bottom, and an extra pair of underwear.
These choices should also mix and match with the other items you are packing, so they can be worn with your packed clothes to create different outfits.
Make sure the items you choose are very comfortable, especially if you are flying anywhere. Things you should consider are:
- The temperature of your destination. Will it be hot or cold when you arrive?
- Whether you get hot or cold when travelling.
- Whether you will be arriving during the day or night, and what you want to do on arrival.
- Related AWTT Content: 5 things you’ll need for every trip
What about using the Power of 3 for longer trips?
Using this method will give you enough clothes for 7 day, and it should fit into hand luggage using packing cubes. My husband, my daughter and I have all used this method. It is much easier if you have no weight limit but depending on the items you choose, it could work if you have a 10kg allowance.
If you are travelling for longer, and are checking in a bag, you can easily adjust the quantity, while following the same power of 3 principles. To give you an example, for a 10-day trip you could add in up to:
- 1, 2 or 3 more warmer items (hoodie, jacket, jumper etc)
- 1, 2 or 3 more bottoms
- 4, 5 or 6 more tops
- 4, 5 or 6 more pairs of underwear
For a trip lasting 1 month you may want to double your initial Power of 3 list and then wash some items part way through your trip. This makes it much more economical.
By having items that mix and match with others (essentially a capsule wardrobe) you can have so many options for different outfits.
One piece of advice if you are travelling for longer and checking a bag in – don’t forget to keep a spare outfit in your hand luggage. I usually take one item from my bottoms list, and two from my tops, plus a couple of pairs of underwear.
You never know if you’ll be a victim of a misplaced or delayed bag. By including an outfit in your hand luggage, you’ll be able to mix and match the items you do have until you’re reunited with your suitcase.
- Related AWTT Content: 10 items to include in your hand luggage liquids bag
What about packing other items?
The Power of 3 principles are a method to help streamline your clothes packing. There are, however, other items you will need to take with you on your trip.
Toiletries
If flying, toiletries become a whole new ballgame with restricted liquids. There are ways to combat this including solid shampoo, conditioner and deodorant, and a bar of soap. These can all be kept in your case without using your 100mls allowance. As I have short hair, I only need half of the bar for any holiday, but you could fit a whole shampoo bar into a waterproof container.
Your accommodation may provide toiletry items, but if you take solid versions, you’ll be left with space for travel sunscreen, toothpaste, and make-up.
First Aid Kit
A mini first aid kit containing paracetamol/ibuprofen, Imodium, Gaviscon, and plasters will fit in a small make-up bag. I also include wash leaves (thin paper washing sheets to rinse out anything small), a sewing kit (liberated from a previous hotel stay) and a few safety pins (pinned to my packing cubes).
- Related AWTT Content: Travel medical kit – 7 items to bring with you
Personal bag
Some airlines will allow you a personal bag where you can carry your purse, camera/phone, kindle, sunglasses, tissues and keys. Others have more strict rules of a single bag. If you can only take one bag, you could put your personal bag into a duty-free shopping bag. Most airlines allow duty free bags in addition to your main bag.
You could also save a bit of room and buy your toiletries once you have gone through security. I have on occasion saved up Boots points for this.
When flying, remember to check the case dimensions you are allowed for your hand luggage items, and watch the weight. Some airlines from the UK will only allow you between 5-7kgs. Others have no weight limits, as long as you can lift it into the overhead storage compartment.
Conclusion
By following the Power of 3 principles, I have completely changed the way I travel. Travelling lighter has made it easier to get around and a more enjoyable experience. I also have clothes to wear when I get back, as I’ve not taken all my clothes away with me!
I hope you discover how much the Power of 3 can streamline your packing procedure for all your amazing holidays.
Have you tried out the Power of 3 packing method? Let me know in the comments!
- Related AWTT Content: How to spend four days in picturesque Porto
