You know that moment when you pull everything out of your closet and toss it on the bed, hoping that somehow a cute, cohesive travel wardrobe will magically appear?

Yeah… we’ve all been there 😅

If packing feels overwhelming *especially when you’re trying to pack light* here’s one small shift that can make a huge difference:

Start with your bottom pieces.

🚫 Not your favorite tops.

🚫 Not those shoes you’re dying to wear.

🚫 Not more random dresses hoping to fill your bag with one-and-done outfits.

✅ Start with your pants, skirts, and shorts.

Why? Because this simple trick gives your travel wardrobe some structure.

It makes everything else fall into place, keeps you grounded in your style, and *my favorite part* it even creates space to have fun with what you wear on vacation!

So, let me show you two powerful reasons why this can be such a game changer:

1️⃣ Bottoms are the anchor for everything else.

They’re the most connected piece in your travel wardrobe. The bridge between your tops and your shoes. If they work, everything else becomes easier to figure out.

Bottoms are also the hardest to get right. It’s rare to find bottoms that are:

🏆 Comfortable for long days

🏆 Versatile enough to dress up or down

🏆 Weather-appropriate

🏆 Easy to move in

🏆 And (if we’re being picky, which we are) flattering from all angles

Easy peasy, right?

That’s why I always try to start with 3–5 bottom pieces I already know I love and fit me right.

They set the tone, define my color palette, and shape the vibe of my travel wardrobe. Once those are locked in, the rest becomes a million times easier to figure out.

It’s not just about color, either—fit and silhouette matter too.

Some bottoms require a tucked-in top. Some only work with structured shapes.

If you start with bottoms, you can filter the rest of your suitcase through what actually works.

Which leads me to...

2️⃣ Bottoms give you a confident place to start.

When you’re trying to pack light, it’s not just about quantity—it’s about making the right choices. Starting with bottoms helps you do exactly that.

Once you’ve decided which pants, skirts, or shorts are coming with you…

✅ You’ll have a better sense of which tops to pack (because they have to work with the bottoms)

✅ You’ll quickly see which shoes make sense, and which ones don’t earn a spot (your shoes also have to match your bottoms)

✅ You’ll stop wasting space on items you wish worked but never actually end up wearing

🙋🏻‍♀️ And here’s my personal favorite part...

I actually have the most fun with my bottom pieces.

Bold colors, fun prints, pleats, textures, etc.

Then I keep the tops simple with a tee or tank and finish the look with the basic shoes I always travel with and the right accessories.

✨ Easy, elevated, effortless.

So next time you're staring at a suitcase (or a bed covered in clothes), start here:

👉 Pick your bottom pieces first, and build your outfits around those.

Not only do they shape the style of your wardrobe—casual, polished, playful—but they also shape the function.

Before locking anything in, ask yourself:

✔️ Do these cover all the activities on your itinerary? (Like… are you renting a scooter but only packing skirts and dresses? Not ideal.)

✔️ Will you feel good wearing these more than once without having to wash them? (If they stretch out weirdly after one wear or need intense ironing every time… probably not worth the suitcase space.)

✔️ Can you dress them up or down depending on the plan? (Can you wear them to explore a new city during the day, and to a nice dinner with just a shoe + accessory swap?)

That’s the secret: your bottoms should do double (or triple!) duty.

Dinner one night, exploring the next day, long travel days in between—when your bottoms are comfy, stylish, and versatile, your suitcase gets lighter and your outfit options get better.

🧺 And one more thing to keep in mind…

As women, there are certain realities—our cycle, specific activities, and basic hygiene—that can make rewearing bottoms a little trickier. And that’s totally valid.

So if your trip is longer than 11-12 days, just assume laundry will be part of the experience and plan accordingly. (It’s way better than overpacking and dragging a giant suitcase around for no reason.)

Packing smart doesn’t mean packing perfect. It means setting yourself up to feel good every day of your trip.

You’ll feel more confident, look more put together, and spend way less time second-guessing your vacation outfits.

Thanks for reading. I hope you found this helpful! 💛

XO,

Aimara

PS: Next Friday, I’m sharing my long weekend packing list for St. Augustine, FL — perfect for any summer getaway (especially Labor Day weekend!). You won’t want to miss it!

🏆 My top bottom pieces to travel with:

1. 5-star wide-leg pants – I got these from Quince in black and green. One in size 2 (inseam 26), the other in size 4 (inseam 24)... weird, but both fit great 😅 (also, they don't wrinkle)
2. A printed midi skirt – Works with sneakers or sandals and they're perfect for all my feminine gals out there. Sometimes I like to splurge with these, sometimes I get them at LOFT. It varies. (if you're into silk, this one has been my favorite for about a year now)
3. ​These high-waisted linen shorts are a dream. This is coming from someone who does not even like shorts! I just traveled with these. That says a lot!
4. Comfy joggers – Ideal for travel days, exploring or casual lounging. These are my 'going out joggers' which also come as wide leg pants. And these fleece ones are so soft! (more casual, but they were so comfy for a recent travel day)