One of the tricks that I use when packing for a trip is I always plan on bringing some beat up clothes.
These are the items that are destined for the rag pile (or trash): older socks, boxers, t-shirts are prime but so are shirts I’m no longer crazy about or that might have a little stain.
It’s kind of funny to me to think of folks who go out and purchase new items for an upcoming trip. I essentially am doing the exact opposite.
The reason for bringing these older items along is that they only make a 1-way trip.
As the trip proceeds, I simply throw these clothes out once they’ve been worn. My bag gets lighter (or more accurately, gets more space for items I might purchase along the way) and I know I’m putting to good use items which otherwise would have just hit the trash a little earlier.
I do bring with me some stained items that I would no longer feel comfortable wearing to work, etc., but it’s a fine line to draw not to bring anything that would be obviously gross or flawed.
And of course I bring along enough clean, newer items to cover all of the necessary outings.
But I also find that part of the enjoyment of a trip can be picking up clothing along the way – to cover for when you might not have exactly what you need. It not only creates an event that’s not just sightseeing, it allows you to interact a little more like a local and it gives you something to remember the trip by.
And of course, I’ve got plenty of room in my bag to store those items for the trip home.