Welcome back to our Memos from Mom journal! It’s finally summer, and Mom reflects on how she preps for all her summer travels, what she likes to pack, and the importance of always being prepared… which for her includes always having a housedress on hand! Read on for some expert mom advice on all things packing for vacation.

School just ended for the summer in my town and you can almost feel the buzz of anticipation as students and their parents look forward to a relaxing summer and perhaps, some time away for travel. If only the weather in Southern California didn’t feel so much like fall! The weather alone could provide serious motivation to get away or perhaps your work schedule keeps you on the road.

I’m looking forward to a trip next week that combines a number of stops. I start in Florida with a business trip, head up the east coast to spend some time with family, then fly to Las Vegas for a very important event – Maddie’s wedding! This trip is going to take some planning, so let’s talk about how to pack, which for me, is one of my least favorite things to do!

To make packing for vacation (let’s focus on having fun!) as easy as possible, I try to plan ahead and consider the following when thinking about what to include in my luggage:

The Weather

Checking the weather before packing for a trip is smart, but not foolproof, as weather often changes without much notice. For me, bringing items that can be layered is a good solution, especially for those times of year when the mornings and evenings are cool, but mid-day can be very warm when the sun is out. Light sweaters, jackets, oversized shirts, shawls, or even a large blanket scarf can be layered on to get you through just about any type of weather. I also have a rain jacket that packs into its own pouch and takes up very little room in my bag. It protects me from the wind, rain, and chilly days while looking quite nice, even when the weather is dry.

Wearing Occasions

The Grace Housedress styled for a spring outing.

Think about your itinerary and the activities you’ll be doing or the events you’ll be attending while on your trip. Outfits that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion are space savers, for sure! A black dress or slacks can be taken from day into night by adding a jacket, dressier shoes and jewelry without taking up much space at all in your bag. Sticking to a coordinated color palette allows you to mix and match clothing pieces and accessories (think capsule wardrobe) while minimizing the number of pairs of shoes you have to carry.

Packability

Consider how easy it is to pack the items you’ll take on your trip. Can they be folded? Rolled? Scrunched up without wrinkling? Do wrinkles even matter? I like to use packing cubes to keep things organized and I feel as though I get more in my bag when using them. They seem to be good at keeping clothes wrinkle-free and you can even buy compression cubes that squeeze the air out of your clothes so you can fit more in your bag. Just be careful not to pack so much that you can’t easily carry your things or you exceed airline weight limits for checked bags. It’s also smart to leave just a little room in your bag, or take a small tote bag along for souvenirs you might buy while on your trip!

The Grace Housedress styled for a Christmas Bazaar.

Versitility

The items that are most likely to make it into my bag are the ones that are the most versatile. They can be worn in many different ways to minimize the number of pieces I have to pack. You may have a cute bathing suit cover-up, for example, that can be worn as a sundress. Or you may have a sundress that can be used as a nightgown. Tees and button-down shirts are among the most versatile items you can pack, especially for layering purposes.

Easy Care

If you select easy-care fabrics, you can increase the usefulness and wearability of the clothes you pack. Spot-cleaning stains or washing items out in the sink and hanging them to dry overnight will easily extend your wardrobe for more than one wearing. Fussy fabrics that require dry cleaning or special care have no place in my bag!

These Are the Reasons Why I Pack a Housedress in My Vacation Bag:

Me in my Rosalie Housedress on vacation in California.

A This is My Housedress garment checks all the boxes that are important to me when packing for travel:

A housedress can be worn in any type of weather– Styling the dress with tights and sweaters when it’s cold outside or wearing them with a coordinating scrunchie and a pair of sandals in warmer weather makes them wearable is just about any climate and on any day.
A housedress can be worn for many occasions – Housedresses are super easy to dress up or down. I’ve worn mine to parties with a great pair of shoes and a belt or statement necklace, but I’ve also worn them poolside or while shopping. The pockets are the best – no handbag or clutch required to carry your necessities so you have one less accessory to pack as well!
A housedress is extremely packable – I have three housedresses and they always look great no matter if I’ve taken them straight off a hanger or pulled them out of a stuffed tote. The full, gathered skirt falls into shape as soon as I put it on and do a little twirl – no ironing required!
A housedress is easy - Easy to put on. Easy to take off. Easy to style. Easy to wear. Easy to clean. Easy to care for. And in those times when travel can get frantic and stressful, isn’t it great to know that something you’ve got with you is easy – and comfortable – and relaxing – and beautiful – and wonderful!