The Perfectly Packed Weekender Bag

There’s nothing like a weekend getaway to revitalize your soul when you’re feeling worn down by the daily grind. Instead of using the weekend to catch up on chores around the house, getting away is an exciting way to have something to look forward to and then reminisce about afterwards. Whether your budget allows you to do a quick road trip to a nearby unexplored city or a quick jaunt to Europe, the trick to having a successful short trip is to limit complication–this includes what you bring along.

Weekend Bag Packing Tips

Here are a few tips for the perfectly packed weekender bag:

Take Only Essential Items

Packing is a skill that requires a little bit of forethought, but once you’ve done it a few times, it’s a breeze. The worst thing you can do on a weekend getaway is to take too much stuff and get bogged down by it. There is very little you can’t get by without for just a few days, but here’s what you do need:

• Tickets/Itinerary (on your phone if you can)
• The most essential toiletries
• No need to bring a hair dryer, toothpaste, or shampoo if your hotel offers them for you
• Necessary medication
• One pair of pants
• Two, maybe three, shirts
• Socks & underwear
• Phone charger
• Wrinkle release spray if needed
• Laptop only if you absolutely need it
• One or two accessories (like earrings and necklaces for women and a tie or extra belt for men)
• Optional activity/weather related items: a swimsuit, a coat, gloves, golf shirt, etc.

Pack the Right Way

• Staying organized is key, even on short trips! Consider investing in packing cubes and a bag specifically for your toiletries. This keeps your items organized and it’s much easier to find in your bag.
• Instead of folding your clothes, look up how to roll them to take up less space and reduce wrinkles.
• Don’t pack your bag so it’s completely full. Allow yourself space to bring home any items you purchase in case you go out shopping.

Having a quality weekender bag is key. While you could get away with a rolling suitcase, backpack, or old duffle bag borrowed from a friend, it’s likely none these are really the correct size for a weekend trip. What’s worse they can be either cumbersome, too small, or look like something that

Investing in a good weekender bag that you can use again and again and again is a must as cheaper bags might breakdown after only a few trips. When that happens, you’ll end up spending more over time replacing cheap bags than you would investing in a quality option. Something like this bag from leather goods maker Jackson Wayne is a stylish option that will last for years to come.