AS SUMMER (finally) approaches, so too does the packing angst that can immobilize even seasoned travelers. When invited to a supposedly casual weekend at the beach, should you cram a party dress into your satchel—just in case? If the only people you’ll see are geriatric blood relatives, is it acceptable to wear the same shorts for 48 hours straight? While the suitcase tends to be small, the potential to pack the wrong stuff is limitless.
Summer weekend jaunts can be roughly divided into two types: “social,” an escape where “getting ready” will figure into the festivities; and “hermit,” whose agenda is almost entirely sweatpants-friendly.
The social-weekend packing strategy usually revolves around a key event and the dress you’ll wear to it. A key objective: making sure this pivotal dress doesn’t get crushed pre-party. “When I am packing for a weekend away that involves a special event I always pack one or two dresses by my friend, Vita Kin,” said Ramya Giangola, co-founder of brand consulting firm Gogoluxe. “They are so easy to dress up with the right jewelry and shoe. I generally use an Away rolling case, and I fold all the dresses and items into it.” Bags from Away, a smart luggage company known for its in-case USB charger, are easily augmented by a matching garment sleeve and garment bag.
To lessen the stress of potential crumpling, embrace brilliantly resilient textures, an approach favored by Sarah Rutson, chief brand officer of the Collected Group, which includes Joie, Equipment and Current/Elliott. “Crepe gives me the...drape and softness that I want but can literally be crushed up in a case and thrown on straight away, no steam needed,” she said. For a semi-ritzy weekend event, try one of Equipment’s silk shirts in a pale neutral (a thicker crepe version of this shirt will be available in August). Accessories add style while taking up little suitcase space, so clever social-bee packers shoehorn in extra statement jewels to dress up cotton frocks. Bento-box style jewelry cases by Marie Kondo and Cuyana keep your bits and bobs organized en route.
Hermit packing, which focuses on maximizing comfort and versatility, triggers fewer anxious moments. Cotton T-shirts and sweatshirts, like those from Scott Sternberg’s new Entireworld direct-to-consumer line, easily pass muster, as do dark leggings, which can be worn to work out, to sleep in, or to wander purposelessly about on chilly days; the Row’s Thilde pant is a luxe option, but Uniqlo ones work just fine. If you plan to be happily antisocial on a beach towel, too, add a no-brainer, one-piece swimsuit like Solid and Striped’s Anne-Marie or a classic Eres model. A linen Clyde Fisherman Hat is the rare packable chapeau.
Another option for hermit types: “I love any iteration of pajama dressing,” said Stephanie von Watzdorf, founder and creative director of travel-inspired line Figue. “It’s a great head-to-toe look, good for day and right into bed.” Figue’s pajama-ish silky separates and dresses represent a step up from athleisure.
Your next destination—buzzingly social or blessedly quiet—may not be predictable, but beauty routines are. If you’re a chronic procrastinator who ends up packing the morning of the trip, keep a packed toiletries kit in your suitcase. Include daily standby products, then layer in summer essentials like a high-quality sunscreen (Supergoop! is an insider favorite) and a reparative after-sun cream. The time saved by keeping a kit at the ready could be the difference between making the 4:06 p.m. train or missing it.