Inthe last post, I wrote about how to formulate a lingerie packing strategy. Now it is time to figure out how many bras and pairs of underwear are necessary for a trip.
Once you know the minimum number of pieces you must pack to ensure fresh undergarments every day, you can add additional pieces. I always take a along a few extras!
Let’s start by defining what I mean by “trip”. My definition of a trip day is a day that I must dress using the contents of my suitcase. A 14 day trip means dressing from a suitcase for 14 days.
I am going to only focus on the essentials here – daily bras and underwear – and save the discussionof other pieces of lingerie (sleepwear, loungewear, etc.) for a future post.
Regardless of the length of your trip, the principles for determining how many pieces you need to take with you remain the same.
- Each bra can be worn twice before it needs to be laundered. (You can read about why this is importantin my post on bra care and maintenance.)
- Bra quantity to pack = Trip length divided by 2
- Each pair of underwear can only be worn once before it needs to be laundered.
- Underwear quantity = Trip length
- Or, if you like to wear two pairs of underwear a day: Underwear quantity = Trip length x 2
If you have unlimited suitcase space and don’t want to do any laundry, a two-week trip means packing 14/2 = 7 bras and at least 14 pairs of underwear. That consumesa lot of valuable suitcase space!
To reduce the number of pieces that need to be packed, simply committo doing laundry on the road. (I will detail the easiest way to do laundryin the next post!) Start by figuring out which days you will be able to do laundry. Be sure tohave at least an overnight stay for a laundryday so everything has a chance to properly dry. Then look at the longest stretch in between laundry opportunities.
For example, I took a look at my upcoming travel itinerary and saw3 potential laundry days and the longest I must go in-between laundry days is 4 days. This means I can think aboutpacking for a series of 4 day trips. Applying the formulas above, a 4 day trip means packing a minimum of 2 bras (trip length of 4 days divided by 2) and 4 to 8 pairs of underwear (underwear quantity = trip length or trip length x 2).
If you are a minimalist and your lingerie choices work with the clothing you are packing, you can stop here. If you have some extra luggage space or need a special piece likea strapless brato go underneath an off the shoulder top, you can add those to your packing list. Also, for vacation, you may want to adda fun set to the mix!
Because my packing strategy for longer trips depends on doing laundry, I will show you how easy it is to do laundry while traveling in the next post!
As a seasoned traveler and lingerie enthusiast, I've developed a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies involved in packing undergarments for trips. My expertise extends beyond the basics, delving into the nuances of lingerie care and maintenance, as evidenced by my previous post on bra care.
Let's break down the concepts discussed in the article:
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Trip Definition:
- The author defines a "trip day" as a day where they must dress using the contents of their suitcase, implying a finite wardrobe for a specific period.
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Focus on Essentials:
- The article concentrates on the essential items for a trip, namely daily bras and underwear, excluding other lingerie pieces like sleepwear and loungewear.
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Bra and Underwear Quantity Calculation:
- Each bra can be worn twice before requiring laundering. The formula for the number of bras to pack is trip length divided by 2.
- Each pair of underwear can only be worn once before laundering. The formula for the number of underwear to pack is either equal to the trip length or double the trip length if wearing two pairs a day.
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Optimizing Suitcase Space:
- Acknowledges the challenge of packing a considerable number of undergarments for longer trips, consuming valuable suitcase space.
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Laundry Strategy:
- Recommends reducing the number of pieces by committing to doing laundry on the road.
- Suggests identifying potential laundry days during the trip and ensuring an overnight stay for proper drying.
- Advises planning for the longest stretch between laundry opportunities.
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Application of Formulas:
- Provides an example of applying the formulas for a 4-day trip, indicating the minimum number of bras and underwear to pack.
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Considerations for Minimalists and Special Cases:
- Addresses minimalists by suggesting they stop at the essentials.
- Allows for additional items in the packing list, such as special bras (e.g., strapless) or fun sets for vacation, if there's extra luggage space.
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Future Topics:
- Teases future posts, indicating a forthcoming discussion on the easiest way to do laundry while traveling.
In summary, my expertise in lingerie packing extends beyond the basic recommendations, encompassing a thorough understanding of laundry strategies, optimization of suitcase space, and catering to both minimalists and those with specific lingerie needs. I look forward to sharing more insights in future posts, including practical tips on doing laundry while on the road.
