To celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, Jay and I recently went on a trip to Arizona with our 2 1/2 year old. It was our first time traveling as a family with just the three of us and we had a blast. Vacationing with a toddler is a whole new level of exhausting, but it was truly a wonderful time.
If you’re planning a trip with your little one and looking for tips on what clothing to pack for yourself, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find my favorite ideas to help you be smart with your packing list and look stylish on your trip.
1. Be Smart with Shoes
This is especially important if your toddler is a non-stop whirlwind of energy. Our toddler can make it from one end of the Detroit Metro Airport to the other in a flash. For this reason, I left the wedges, heels and platforms at home and only brought a pair of sneakers and two pairs of flat sandals.
2. Embrace Comfort
Traveling with a toddler requires a lot of movement. I knew I would be chasing him through the airport, playing at the playground, and carrying him around from place to place. Instead of restricting clothing, I opted for knit shorts, jogger pants, and dresses. I also brought sweatshirts and sweaters instead of jackets with zippers or buttons. So much more comfortable for the two of us when it was my turn to carry him around.
3. Bring the Right Bag
Not only are you carrying your essentials through every mode of transportation, but you’ll likely have diapers, snacks, an extra outfit and maybe even some books or a tablet. Bring something large with compartments to help you stayed organized. You’ll also want to think about how easy it is to access the items. I brought a large sling bag that I thought would be ideal, however I found it difficult to stay organized and had a hard time find what I needed in the moment. A stylish backpack or travel tote would have been a better option.
4. Prioritize Versatility
Consider packing pieces that can be worn for various activities. A knit dress can take you from playing at the park in the morning to dinner in the evening depending on what you wear with it. Consider clothing that can be dressed up or down as well as mixed and matched. It helps to pick a cohesive color palette and bring pieces that fit within that scheme. I stuck to 5 colors that paired well together including tan, black, clay, sage and cream.
5. Focus on Items that can be Reworn
Save room in your suitcase by packing clothing that can be worn more than once. Jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets are all items I can wear more than once without feeling dirty. Pack tee shirts to wear under sweaters and sweatshirts to help keep these items as fresh as possible.
Flexibility is your friend when it comes to traveling with a toddler. And having a versatile, comfortable vacation wardrobe can make a big difference on your trip.
Need more travel tips? Want to learn how to put together the perfect vacation wardrobe? Contact me today!
