Packing tip: bring some older clothes

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.

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