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One of the best things about being over fifty is that travel can become simpler, lighter, and often much more enjoyable. With children grown or nearly grown, it is easier to plan a weekend getaway, a business trip, a cruise, or even a month-long adventure without packing half the house.
That does not mean I did not love traveling with my children when they were young. Those trips created wonderful memories. Still, there is something wonderfully freeing about traveling without diaper bags, strollers, car seats, and a backseat chorus of “Are we there yet?”
Travel after fifty can be comfortable, stylish, and stress-free when you know how to pack well. Over the years, I have learned that the secret is not bringing more. It is bringing the right things.
Travel Packing Tips from a Seasoned Traveller
Over the years, I have done a great deal of traveling to promote my books, sometimes spending a month at a time on the road. Since I am heading out again for my newest book, JUST IN TIME, this feels like the perfect moment to share my favorite packing tips for longer trips.
When I first started traveling regularly, I would lie awake the night before a trip worrying about what to bring, what to leave behind, and what I might forget. More often than not, I packed far too much. I dragged around two or three oversized suitcases, wore myself out before I even arrived, and spent money on airline luggage fees that could have been used for something far more enjoyable.
After plenty of trial and error, I finally developed a simple packing system that helps me travel light while still looking polished and feeling prepared. It works for a few days away, several weeks on the road, or even a month-long journey.
With a little planning, you can make packing for your next trip as easy as 1-2-3.
Step 1: Choose the Right Gear
Start with one excellent suitcase.
Whether you are planning a weekend escape or an extended cruise, the right luggage makes travel much easier. I recommend choosing one sturdy, medium-sized suitcase with strong zippers, practical compartments, and smooth spinner wheels. A suitcase similar to this London Fog suitcase can be a good choice if it suits your needs.
Spinner wheels are especially important. They allow you to push the suitcase in front of you or roll it beside you instead of dragging it behind your body. I learned this lesson the hard way after injuring my shoulder during a trip that involved pulling a heavy bag for weeks. For comfortable travel, especially on long journeys, spinner luggage is a must.
It also helps to choose luggage in a color or pattern that stands out. Black suitcases are practical, but they are also everywhere. If you have ever stood at baggage claim trying to identify your bag among dozens of nearly identical black cases, you know why a distinctive suitcase can save time and frustration.
For me, a 25-inch suitcase is usually large enough to hold everything I need for a month. A smaller carry-on can work beautifully for a weekend, but once I am away for more than four days, I prefer a slightly larger checked bag that gives me room to stay organized without overpacking.
A reliable carry-on is also essential. I bought a Travelon Wheeled Underseat Carry-On with Back Up Bag for my JUST IN TIME tour, and it quickly became one of my favorite travel pieces. It has space for my computer, tablet, power cords, books, a knitting project, spare underclothes, snack bars, and cosmetics. The included flat-folding backup bag is also useful if you pick up a few unexpected treasures along the way.
A well-designed cosmetic bag can make a big difference, too. I recently purchased this cosmetic bag, and I love how practical it is. It hangs on the back of a bathroom door and includes zippered plastic pockets to keep toiletries organized and help contain leaks. It also has a removable fabric pocket that works well for jewelry. I have tried many cosmetic bags over the years, and this one has become my favorite.
Step 2: Plan Your Color Scheme
Next, choose two basic wardrobe colors.
Once you have the right suitcase, decide on two main colors that work well together. For one book tour, I chose navy blue and raspberry. In other years, I used black and red, black and cobalt, or blue and cream. This year, I am packing around pink, gray, and black.
Limiting your travel wardrobe to two main colors might sound dull at first, but it is one of the easiest ways to pack light and still create many outfits. When your clothes coordinate, you can mix and match pieces without needing a separate outfit for every day.
Your two basic colors can be paired with neutrals, simple patterns, and accessories. Scarves, jewelry, and shoes can add personality and variety without taking up much space. This approach keeps your suitcase manageable while helping you look pulled together throughout the trip.
Step 3: Start Packing
Ready to pack? Choose three of each essential clothing item.
Once your suitcase is ready and your color palette is chosen, packing becomes much simpler. Select three of each type of clothing item you know you will need. For me, that usually means three dresses, three tops, three pairs of pants, and three pairs of shoes.
Keeping most items in solid colors or subtle patterns gives you more outfit combinations. A navy top can work with gray pants one day and a skirt or dress layer the next. A simple black dress can look different with a colorful scarf, a jacket, or different jewelry. The goal is to create options without filling your suitcase with pieces that only work one way.
Because my trips often take me through different climates, I also pack a sweater, a jean jacket, and an umbrella. These items help me handle chilly airports, sudden rain, cool evenings, or unexpected weather changes without needing bulky extra clothing.
Be Ready for Anything
On longer trips, laundry and ironing facilities are not always convenient or reliable. That is why low-iron clothing is one of the smartest things you can pack. Lightweight, all-weather knits are especially useful because they travel well and can often be refreshed without much effort.
If a garment is wrinkled, hang it in the bathroom while you take a hot shower. The steam often relaxes the fabric enough that you can skip ironing altogether. This simple trick has saved me many times when I had an event and no easy access to an iron.
I also recommend keeping a laundry pen in your purse or carry-on for unexpected spills. A few detergent pods sealed in a zipper-top plastic bag can be useful as well, especially if you find a hotel laundry room or have a chance to wash a few essentials in the sink.
The best travel packing tips are not about taking everything you might possibly need. They are about preparing wisely so you can handle most situations without carrying unnecessary weight.
Bon Voyage
That is it. You are ready to go.
By following this simple 1-2-3 packing plan, you can travel light for days, weeks, or even a full month. Choose one great suitcase, build your wardrobe around two main colors, and pack three of each basic clothing item. The result is a suitcase that is easier to manage and a travel wardrobe that keeps you comfortable, organized, and stylish.
After I finish packing, I always weigh my luggage to make sure it stays under the airline weight limit. That one small step helps prevent last-minute stress at the airport and avoids unnecessary fees.
Finally, before I close the lid, I tuck in one last essential travel accessory: a really good book. No matter how short or long the journey may be, books are still the very best traveling companions.
