Packing the perfect suitcase can be extremely difficult for many people. You find yourself over-packing for a weekend trip, or under-packing for a week-long vacation. One of the most difficult parts of packing is limiting the amount of shoes you take with you!
The key to packing shoes for traveling or for a vacation is to only pack three. Follow these tips from The Shoe Spa while packing your travel shoes for your next trip.
But first, know the area
Before you can begin packing anything, it’s important to research the area you are visiting. Even if you are traveling domestically, check the weather forecast for the area and plan what you are going to do while there. Ask yourself:
- Will I be doing a lot of walking?
- Is there a mandatory attire for an event?
- What will I do during my down time?
After getting a feel for the area, and a grasp on what you will be doing while there, you can begin packing. Generally, packing a heel, a flat, and a sneaker/closed toe shoe is a good idea no matter your destination and length of stay.
Something to impress: High heels
It’s always a good idea to include a pair of high heels while packing. Unless you are on a strictly “adventure travel” trip, or have no intention of needing to change out of your sneakers, you need to pack something you can wear to a more formal event.
Depending on the event you’re attending or the culture of your destination, pack a pair of high heeled shoes that are appropriate. Make sure they are a heeled shoe that you can wear with multiple outfits to avoid over-packing your shoe selection. Generally, black booties can pair with a lot of different outfits – like the Aquatalia Wallis Boot – but if you plan carefully, you could pack something a little bit flashier, like the Salpy Geneva Bootie.
Something practical: Flats
It’s always a good idea to pack a pair of shoes that are both “dressy’ and comfortable to walk in. Pack a pair of ballet flats or a closed-toe shoe that you can wear casually day-to-day. Typically, these are the shoes you will wear most often depending on the reason for your trip.
Ballet flats look both professional for a business conference or casual for a lunch date. Try the Joan Oloff Claudia Ballet Flat in black and white for a style that gives you a more sophisticated, polished look. If you prefer another option, choose something that has a sporty-chic look like the Gabor 24164 Gabby Perforated shoe. It gives you a shoe to wear casually and comfortably that gives you a more laid-back look than a ballet flat.
Something to explore: Sneakers or sandals
No matter where your destination, you definitely want to pack a pair of shoes that you can walk in all day. If you are an exercise enthusiast, these would be your running or walking shoes that you wear to the gym. However, if you only require a shoe that you can commute comfortably in, tour attractions, or go shopping, you can consider some other options.
If you choose the correct sandal, they could be a great shoe for commuting between events and meetings, or shopping along a boardwalk. The Onex Camilla Slide sandal is a good option that can be worn with a casual dress or a pair of jeans, giving you more of a variety than sneakers. However, if you would rather wear a pair of closed-toe shoes, try the Eric Michael Wanda Espadrille. Though it does not provide as many options as a sandal may, it does give you a beautiful pair of casual shoes that can elevate a simple outfit.