Packing for Spring Break: 7 Luggage Essentials

Spring break season is finally here which could mean some fun road trips, beach adventures and last-minute getaways are on the itinerary. You’ll need to dress for the occasion and also make sure you have a packing plan in place. Whether you’re packing your spring break essentials in a personalized luggage set, a weekender bag or a vintage suitcase, here are seven packing tips to keep in mind:

1. Plan Your Outfits Based on Activities. Since you’ll be spending your days enjoying some fun in the sun, out on the water, on the road and partying the night away over spring break, you’ll need a variety of outfits for every occasion. If you don’t have a plan in hand, you’re probably going to overpack—and have to worry about hauling extra items around, paying extra checked baggage fees and stressing about re-packing all those wardrobe items when it’s time to go home. Keep things simple and create a master list of all the outfits you’ll need based on your itinerary.

2. Pack Your Beach Bag Separately. Your beach bag is going to be your carryall tote during your spring break travels so you’ll need to pack this bag with just the necessities. Pack your beach bag with sunscreen, your cell phone, wallet with ID, a reusable water bottle, a beach hat or visor, headphones, your laptop or iPad and your bathing suit cover-up. There might be room for a beach towel in there and some other accessories. Think of this as your go-to bag for those travel days.

3. Travel with Personalized Luggage. Monogrammed luggage can be part of your spring break splurge when shopping for your new wardrobe this year. A personalized luggage set, like our monogrammed suitcase available in a carry-on and large size, are perfect for fitting everything you need for spring break travels. You can also pack smaller bags and totes inside the suitcases to keep everything organized.

4. Be Smart About Your Wardrobe. If you’re traveling by plane, you can save on checked baggage fees by only packing what you need in a carry-on or weekender bag. If you absolutely have to have more than one bag, limit yourself to one bag and pack smart. Pack clothes that you can layer and create multiple outfits with. Consider all the different ways you can wear a beach wrap dress, sarong and other resort wear so you don’t have to pack a different outfit for each day of your trip. Rompers, maxi dresses and denim shorts with a t-shirt are some of the most versatile pieces of clothing you can have in your travel wardrobe.

5. Pack a Separate Bag for Toiletries. All of your skincare products need to be stored separately from your clothes, shoes and makeup. Since some of these items may be liquid, you’ll need to make sure you’re only packing items that meet TSA standards if you’re planning to fly anywhere this spring break. If it’s just a road trip, you can pack full-sized items but avoid the temptation to overpack. A train case is perfect for packing skincare items without stress. It’s made with durable materials and is also easy to clean.

6. Pick Your Hair Styling Tools Wisely. Some days you might want curly hair, other days you’ll want beach waves. Whatever styling tools you use, try and choose something that has multi-purpose features so you don’t have to pack several styling tools for the road. These tools can take up lots of space in the suitcase and may be tricky to pack with those long wires. Limit yourself to just one or two styling tools—maybe a curling iron and a straightening iron—and make sure to pack them up in their own drawstring bags or plastic bags to protect them from any damage in the suitcase.

7. Don’t Forget the Cosmetics. Even though you’ll be spending lots of time outdoors and will probably be going makeup-free for a few days at the beach, you’ll still need some makeup for those nights on the town. Pack your cosmetics separately in a smaller bag so your foundations, lipsticks, eyeliners and other makeup essentials are easy to find and won’t get damaged during the trip. A monogrammed clear cosmetic bag is the perfect carryall for those makeup items and is easy to stow away in a suitcase or tote.

Whether you’re heading to the Bahamas or enjoying a road trip with friends this spring break, make sure you’re ready for the adventure with the right packing plan. Use the luggage and packing tips to gear up for an unforgettable spring getaway this year!