The Packing Principles
Enlightened Efficiency
Packing is about anticipation and understanding our needs. Alas, self-knowledge is a difficult thing, which is why people bring too much when they travel. Of course it’s more than that, people feel a romantic pull to Venice or Montana and want to dress in a way that suits their imagination. Reality will often let you down—what are all these people doing in Harry’s Bar?!—but that’s an even better reason to dress up, you can class up the joint.
We’re fascinated by what other people pack because it’s a chance to see what they think is enough. We hope their well-considered minimalism transfers to us. It’s also true that what happens on a trip can translate back home. Many times, so many times, I’ve adopted the travel edit when I return to New York.
I hope these packing principles make your suitcase smaller. Some might even help you dress when you’re back on the home front.