Fall Travel Packing Checklist

Friends, apparently, this is going to be a travel inspired week here at Mix and Match Mama because so far, we’ve had OUR LONDON RECAP PART 1, WHAT’S IN MY KIDS’ CARRY ON BAGS, OUR LONDON RECAP PART 2, yesterday, I shared MY 13 KEYS TO MANAGING JET LAG plus, I also shared my TUESEDAY TOURS: WHERE WE STORE OUR LUGGAGE, and today, it’s my FALL TRAVEL PACKING CHECKLIST!

See?  Somehow this turned into TRAVEL WEEK 🙂 .

Okay, I love me a good list when packing for a trip (as you’ll see below, I’ve shared posts like this one many, many times before!), so I thought it was time to share a packing list for FALL DESTINATIONS. 

By “fall”, I mean pumpkin-y/cooler weather/light jacket/look at leaves kind of trips…I understand you can totally sit on the beach in the fall too, but this isn’t that list (but please look below!).  I’m talking about trips to New York City, Vermont, Cape Cod, London…you know, “those” places that I really enjoy visiting this time of year.  This is just a really “basic” list of items I always bring with me regardless of whether the fall destination is domestic or international (just my “key pieces that always go with me”).

Should you be heading somewhere “fall-ish” soon, hopefully this helps make your packing a wee bit easier.

Okay, first things first, you know me…

…every single thing we take with us goes inside a PACKING CUBE including my carry on items (which is what you’re seeing here!).  E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!  I’ve done multiple posts on the brilliance of packing cubes.  I do not go even away for one night without using them.

#1: COMFORTABLE SHOES FOR WALKING

This will make or break your trip, right?  I don’t care how many blogs I read, Pinterest posts I “pin” or influencers I see on Instagram, if you’re really sightseeing, I mean REALLY sightseeing, you need a comfortable shoe.  Period.  End of story.  Sometimes, I scroll through Pinterest and see these beautiful outfit collages of travel days in London, and they’re wearing tall boots with a heel and look fabulous…and I love that.  I’m not that.  I’m the 41 year old mom schlepping her family of six from one monument to the next, covering miles of ground on foot…I need a sneaker.  A sneaker that won’t give me blisters or make my feet ache.  Ditch anything that doesn’t feel amazing on your feet.

#2: DARK DENIM

I am a big fan of denim year around, but especially in the fall and especially for travel!  A non-distressed, dark wash pair of jeans is always on rotation for me.  Yes, yes and YES to black denim especially as you can dress it up or down.  It can go fancy and it can go casual.  I’ll wear black jeans for site seeing (super comfy!), but then, I can also pair it with a blouse and heels and wear it to dinner out.  It’s probably THE most versatile piece of my travel uniform.  I wear these Black Ankle Skinny Jeans every single year (I think I’m on my third or fourth year with them).  They’re comfy, they wash and dry so well, they don’t fade and they work for all occasions.  With this particular brand though, size down.

#3: AN ALL-PURPOSE NEUTRAL COAT

I love a coat that keeps me warm, but also one that is neutral enough that I can wear it anywhere and for any occasion.  You can wear it sightseeing and walking around but also to dinner.  It looks cute and keeps you warm on the flight(s) too.  I have been saying this for years, but I’ll say it again, J Crew has the best coat selection for quality and price.  I love this Villa coat in Italian stadium-cloth and travel with it all the time.  It works well for sitting outside at sporting events, traveling, church, dinners out…it just works for everything.  That being said though…

#4: A PERFORMANCE JACKET

This is another thing I almost always put in my suitcase…and almost always in black.  On this last trip, I brought THIS ONE which I love for both exercising outdoors, wearing to sporting events and sightseeing.  A performance jacket (which in my opinion, is lighter and shorter athletic/washable jacket) is easy to shove in your tote if the weather warms up or tie around your waist.  Most of these jackets not only offer warmth but water resistance too which is essential when traveling.

#5: SIMPLE EARRINGS

Over the years, I have SIGNIFICANLY paired down the earrings I take with me when traveling.  I used to take so many different pairs, but now, I really take one pair of gold hoops (not too big) and a pair of diamond/faux diamond studs.  They’re light, they’re easy to pack and they work for every single occasion.

#6: A GREAT CROSSBODY BAG

My favorite bag for traveling is a crossbody bag.  It keeps your hands free, it’s easy to layer both over and under a coat, and if you find the right one, it provides just enough room for the things you need without adding too much bulk. It works equally as well for a day of touring as it does dinner out.

#7: NEUTRAL BOOTIES

I like a little heel on my booties for fall, but a flat bootie works just as well.  The key is being able to walk in them comfortably as you go about your day.  I find that booties tend to look cute with everything from shorts to jeans to a skirt or dress and trousers too, so they’re versatile for all of your leaf peeping activities on your fall trip.  I just bought THESE BOOTIES in ivory because I loved that they’ll work with both black and brown.

#8: LIGHT SWEATERS THAT EASILY LAYER

Yes and yes.  You can wear them alone, you can layer, you can wear them under jackets and coats or just by themselves.  They pack easily without wrinkling and work during the day as well as night.  They’re the key to your fall wardrobe!

#9: WATERPROOF BOOTS

It wouldn’t be fall traveling without a pair of all weather boots for me.  I love a comfy yet cute boot that I can wear on rainy days, cold days, snowy days, walking days, touring days…all the days.  No one wants to travel with wet feet.

#10: TRAVEL UMBRELLA

Bring one that is super light and compact that easily fits inside your crossbody bag.

#11: SUNGLASSES

Because even “fall” places are sunny 🙂 .

#12: A SCARF

I still travel with scarves every time.  They’re easy to add as an extra layer when it’s cold, they pack tight and don’t take up any space, they add an extra “something” to a regular outfit…they’re a fall travel must for me.

#13: COMFY BRAS AND UNDIES

I know this probably goes without saying, but you guys, traveling is the time for breathable, wearable under garments that won’t be driving you mad as you explore throughout the day.  Honestly, if you are even thinking about your bra and undies on vacation days, you’re wearing the wrong ones.

#14: COZY PJS AND SLIPPER

At night, after a full day of exploring, I love a hot bath, cozy pjs, slippers and a book before bed.  I started traveling with my slippers a few years ago, and it’s just that extra bit of “home” that I love pulling out of my suitcase in my hotel room.

Now, I’ve done posts like this one before, so if your next destination isn’t a “fall” trip but maybe more like…

…a cruise, you can see the CRAZY organized way I PACK FOR OUR FAMILY’S CRUISES!

Or you can catch SHAY’S ULTIMATE BEACH TRIP PACKING LIST where I share all the details on what we bring on every beach vacation (the list is comprehensive!!).

Or…

…if your family is heading somewhere cold this spring, make sure you check out my TOP 10 TIPS FROM A SKI MOM!

Maybe you’re heading out next spring…

…you can catch what I PACK FOR SPRING BREAK too!

Plus, make sure you check out my 18 KEYS FOR PREPPING FOR A TRIP post…

…where I deep dive into how I pack and prep so that going on vacation with my crew isn’t insane.

THIS POST HERE IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE of all of these packing posts, so make sure you stop by.  I cover everything you need to do BEFORE your trip in this post and then…

…I share all of my tips, tricks and ideas for everything you should do AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM YOUR TRIP to make your life simpler too.

That wraps up this Wednesday!

I hope you all have the BEST day!!!  I’ll see you here tomorrow. xx