How to Pack Like Miranda Priestly: If It Doesn’t Serve a Purpose, It Doesn’t Go in my Suitcase

Featured image: Packing with less is the new power move | Photo by NomadSoul1 on Envato

Seven rules for packing less, the new power move

By Diana Eden

As an 86-year-old traveler, I can no longer heave a 45-pound suitcase up curbs, onto scales at the airline check-in, onto the conveyor belt at security checkpoints, off baggage carousels, or up hotel steps. I have had to adjust, and I think Miranda Priestly, of “The Devil Wears Prada”, would approve.

Luxury, she might suggest, is curated restraint, not excess. “More” no longer means better. One shouldn’t dress to impress others, but to express oneself with clarity and effortlessness. Packing is also about having the confidence to make firm decisions ahead of time to avoid the back-and-forth the day before departure.

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Seven packing rules inspired by “The Devil Wears Prada”

Rule 1:  Pack no more than 30 pounds

In my dreamworld, I would prefer to travel with three steamer trunks filled with gorgeous, fashionable outfits for every occasion— Prada, Valentino, Dolce Gabbana, accessorized with the perfect minimal but ultra-luxury accessories such as a Hermes scarf and Chanel sunglasses.

But I give myself a firm limit of 30 pounds for my checked bag and 15 pounds to carry on my back. My new Bagsmart backpack holds quite a lot.

I recently packed for a three-week multiple-country journey, back-to-back cruises, each with different climates and cultures, an expedition cruise in the Arctic and a Danube River cruise in Europe. With limited space and weight, I was forced to adopt that clarity of purpose, simplification, and abandon the need to look perfect.  I could not take all the choices with me and choose once traveling. I had to make all the decisions before I left.  I love this portable luggage scale – small enough to take with me and easy to use.

Rule 2: When packing for different countries, choose a neutral palette

For my European/Arctic adventures in May into June I started with an understanding of climate.

For the River Danube in May the chance of rain is 40 per cent on any given day. Average temperatures are 52 to 72 degrees. I knew there would be certain amount of walking through ancient European towns.

I began my planning with Miranda’s neutral, powerful palette of black, white, and camel. I purchased an inexpensive classic beige trench coat and added my existing beige pants from J Jill. Plus, some black pants from DKNY, like these.  I included an olive jacket, and gold and yellow tops as accent colors. For colder weather I need layering tees like these here and here. I can always find some nice classic sweaters at J Crew.

In Iceland, it’s windy on the water, possibly rainy, and there will be uneven surfaces. Fortunately, Aurora Expeditions is providing us with heavy waterproof parkas and knee -high muck boots for what they call “wet landings” and hiking through lava fields.  I purchase some black waterproof pants (a necessity, I am told, for those excursions in the zodiacs).

Rule 4: One pair of shoes, hats, and everything else

Shoes? They can take up so much room and add weight. I used to avoid sneakers, not wanting to be immediately identified as a tourist, so now I opt for half-fashion/half-practical sneakers, going with these gold ones from Vionic. I wear my white Steve Madden sneakers on the plane, and pack one pair of go-with-everything slip-ons, also in gold.

As for hats, my warm wool beanie for Iceland takes up little room, and a sunhat (just in case) lies flat. I am fond of the hats from Coolibar, as sun protection is so important for avoiding skin cancer.

I keep jewelry to a minimum, in a little zippered satin purse, some  silver, some gold,  and sometimes I include a flat envelope-style purse for evenings out. Neither takes up much real estate.

Rule 6:  Pack orange tape and tea lights

I now also carry a small roll of orange tape and two LED tea lights. Why? Because I find in ship cabins there is often a step up into the bathroom that I trip on at least six times before I learn it’s there!. Putting orange tape across the step catches my attention.

The tea lights serve as a nightlight in the bathroom and don’t’ require electricity. (In fact, in Africa, they were very helpful in helping me extricate myself in the middle of the night from my mosquito netting!)

You will also find that most hotel rooms and cruise ship cabins have plenty of bath gel, shampoo, and conditioner. Rarely has there not been a hairdryer available. Have faith and leave yours at home. I often use the free shower caps as plastic bags in which to wrap things later, like dirty socks.

Rule 7: Have the confidence to pack less

A capsule wardrobe isn’t about limits or restrictions. It’s about removing the fear of not having a multitude of options, of “not having the right thing”. In most places you can always buy something you’re missing and support the local economy.

So, as I pack, I think of Miranda Priesty. That’s all I need. That’s all I will take.

Knowing when “that’s enough” is your power. Why did it take me so long to realize this? The confidence to choose less. That’s all.

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