Travel
I'M GOING ON VACATION
AND I'M TAKING
My calculations for the perfectly packed suitcase
I am organized chaotic. I don't do to-do lists. I have post-its. Stuck all over the house. I have at least 35 browsers open on my laptop. Add to that about the same number of unsaved documents and a desktop filled with a jumble of saved Pinterest images. I also do half cans of cola. I have half bottles of sparkling water in the fridge. And half cookies in the jar. But when it comes to textiles, I am the queen of OCD. Everything must be color-coordinated. Everything must match, from underwear to pairs of socks. Dark clothing goes on black wooden hangers. And there is no cream-colored top that has ever not ended up on a light hanger. The commonality between the two is the neatly turned-in hooks. And this tic manifests itself on every textile front.
Apply them and trust me: for sun-and-nothing-else vacations, these rules ensure that the basic textiles (and a little more) are in order at the location.
So it goes with packing the suitcase. And that is going to happen. In a few days, I will fly to a paradise destination called Vieques. There are wild horses, hidden beaches with black sand, and lots of cocktails with umbrellas in them. And as a slight obsessive-compulsive, I am already methodically packing that suitcase. And by methodically, I really mean methodically. I have rules. Count rules for how much of what I take, and that schedule has never let me down. I always have everything I want to take within the allowed number of kilos. Well, that last part may not be entirely true. But I do have everything my baking-and-broiling heart desires. Always. So, let me share my crazy mind with you. These are the main rules. Apply them and trust me: for sun-and-nothing-else vacations, these rules ensure that the basic textiles (and a little more) are in order at the location.
The 2-piece
For every textile calculation, you always take the number of vacation days as a starting point. And to calculate the perfect number of bikinis, take that number and divide it by 2. For example: I will be spending 7 days on a paradise island. And this number of days divided by 2 is 3.5. By the way, you always round up. So for 7 days of vacation, 4 bikinis are perfect. Make one of them a one-piece and your bikini stock is ‘on fleek’, ladies!
The 1.5 factor, and then divide by 3
The 1.5 factor has everything to do with underwear. Multiply the days by 1.5 and voilà, that’s how many thongs should go in the bag. Oh, and then divide that result by 3. And once again ‘voilà’ for the number of bras. Oh, and don't forget: always round up.
The minus 3 rule
Subtract 3 from your days of applying sunscreen in bounty-like places and then you arrive at the number of bottoms that need to come along. So shorts, skirts, that kind of stuff. Vintage Levi's are without exception included.
1.5, and a little more
Just as it goes with the underwear, so it goes with the tops. But always a little more. Half of these should definitely fall into the category of beach tops. Lovely flowy things that hang off your shoulder. You know exactly what I mean.
Always 3
Is the number of shoes. And that is totally separate from the shoes you wear on the plane. I usually opt for one heeled sandal, one flat sandal, a pair of espadrilles, and then a cool pair of sneakers for the flight.
Flirt twice
Most of the time you will be walking around with sand in your hair and sunglasses on your nose. But there are always outings. And whether it's a romantic dinner with your love companion or shamelessly drinking mixed drinks with friends, there are always evenings when you wash off the sand and will flaunt your freshly tanned legs in a summer dress. I call this category ‘the flirt dress’. Always take two of those: one black and one more colorful. You can also choose.
Wool is once
Unfortunately, it can happen that the weather gods are not on your side. Storm, cold, or a fresh wind after sunset are unfortunately not always avoidable. So something warm must also come along. Something woolly. Take one of those with you. I always take a wrap poncho-like thing. I just scored a new one. Made of wool with knitted tassels. Always comes in handy.
So, those were the main rules. Don't forget the accessories (ankle bracelets and such) and sunscreen is also important. Oh, and the above numbers are all exclusive of the perfectly styled airplane outfit. So that one pair of long pants, an easy cotton long sleeve, and the sunglasses, those go with you in the cabin.
