Surely you’ve heard of jet lag, culture shock, cabin fever and other travelers’ afflictions but, have you heard of wardrobe fatigue?

Wardrobe Fatigue defined (by me!):  When you’re are on a trip and you are sick and tired of everything in your suitcase!

Help is on the way…read on!

Sound familiar? If there’s one thing I know about travel planning, it’s that, most of us agonize and fret over what clothes to bring: What will I wear? What should I  pack?  I need new (fill in the blank) for this trip! And often we obsess for weeks, if not months, in advance…often until the last bag is checked! (OK, guilty as charged!)

Despite your careful planning, at some point during and certainly by the end of a trip, as you put on that pair of pants again or that top (that you used to love) again…did a little moan or whimper escape from your lips? Or, have you ever sworn you can hear your suitcase and its contents moan or whimper, too?  Ah……

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve actually vowed to toss, if not burn, every single piece of clothing in my suitcase when I got home! At the least, after unpacking and washing I do not want to even set eyes on them for a very, very long time! Definitely wardrobe fatigue…

Confession (just to make you feel better!): I consider myself a very good packer but, despite making my list following every single guideline here, I have found myself squeezing in one more thing and I have also been caught in unseasonable cold and heat…. Well, I simply couldn’t wear about one third of what I brought so I did a lot of hand laundry, more mixing and matching, and well, you’ll see me in the same garb in a lot of photos. So, talk about wardrobe fatigue!?!

Now that we know the symptoms, what is the cure? Well, I cannot guarantee you will never experience wardrobe fatigue but I do know that if you follow my “prescription” carefully,  you will definitely minimize the symptoms! But first…

♦ First Things First: Start with These 6 Basics ♦

#1 Where are you going?

#2 What will the weather be like?

#3 How are you traveling (car, plane, train, cruise, tour, etc.)?

#4 Length of your trip?

#5 What types of activities will you be engaged in?

#6 What size and how many piece(s) of luggage can you bring?

 ⇒ Victoria’s Prescription: A Dozen TipZ You’ll Thank Me For! ⇐

#1  Do you have a packing list? Make one, use it.

#2  How many “outfits”/changes will you really need? C’mon…be honest…

#3  Take out everything you’re thinking of bringing – mixing and match = “make outfits”. Now, how many outfits can you create from the minimum number of pieces? Does it match up with #2?

#4  Everything you bring should be versatile and be able to be worn several times. Leave out anything you will only wear once or even just a few times. (Personally, I want to be able to wear everything for a minimum of ¼ – ½ of the days of the trip.)

#5  Pick a simple palette with one basic dark color as the foundation for your travel wardrobe. Black, brown, navy are classic and perfect.

#6  Minimize accessories: You don’t need to be matchy-matchy, coordinated all the time. Use a few versatile colorful pieces such as shawls or scarves that are practical, easy to pack and great accent pieces.

 #7  Wear and toss along the way: Bring clothing/accessories you were thinking of donating/tossing anyway. No, not your holey, stained jeans but t-shirts, nightgowns, undies, sox, and slippers are a few items you can wear and leave behind. I even wore a pair of shoes that I was ready to donate on an international flight and left them behind at the first hotel.

#8  Think separates and layers: Consider that you will wear pieces a lot more than you think you will, especially pants and skirts. They also require less laundering.

#9  “I’ll buy it when I get there.” No no no! If you’re really going to need it, bring it with you. This is especially true for essential pieces such as shoes. Don’t wait to “shop for the right pair”!

#10 Less is more! Don’t pack to the max!  Remember the adage, “take half the clothes and twice the money”? It’s true! (One of my bad habits was “squeezing in just one more” when I had a little room. Trust me, resist the temptation!)

#11 Once the last zipper is zipped and you’re on your way, no more fretting! Make the best of it and leave a little room in your suitcase for those goodies you “have to have” and collect along the way.

#12 Remember: No one else notices or cares! Besides, you’re on vacation, you’re not going to see these people again!

♦ The “Top 10 Test”: Can You Say “Yes” to Every Article of Clothing? (No Cheating and No “Maybes”!)

#1  Is it comfortable?

#2  Is it practical?

#3 Is it versatile?

#4  Can I mix and match with my color scheme?

#5 Is it coordinated with other separates?

#6  Is it easy to pack?

#7   Is it wrinkle-free or resistant?

#8  Is it easy to launder?

 #9  Is it appropriate?

#10 Could I live without it if it got ruined or lost?

Now, you’re all set!  You will amaze your fellow travelers with your savvy, versatility, and creativity…and your wardrobe fatigue will be reduced to no more than a little sigh!

More Great Packing Advice:

♦ The Art of Packing

♦ Don’t Forget & Don’t Bother Checklist

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How do you plan your vacation wardrobe? What helpful suggestions can you share?