Fall Packing List: Three Must-Haves

My favorite season of the entire year is fall and for me, it’s one of the best times to travel, before the temps go down too low and it becomes harder to navigate the rain, snow and slush. Changing colors and cooler days are perfect for apple picking, fall festivals, day trips and long visits on the back porch with friends. When traveling to another location which involves a flight and a suitcase, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are three of my “must” fall packing list considerations.

Fall Packing List: Three Must-Haves

The Right Shoes For All Weather

The weather may not cooperate, and your carry-on luggage may not accommodate all of your favorite fall boots, hiking shoes and dress shoes for nights out to dinner. Weatherproof boots are an easy option because they can be used for function and also dress up an outfit. Whether you choose one with a lug sole or a leather option with a heel, make sure and weatherproof them, either professionally with a quick spray of scotch guard. A pair of tennis shoes can also multitask in a pinch as a walking shoe and a high-low look with a great pair of slacks.

Select a cute, leather trainer rather than a workout canvas you would wear to the gym. If you are packing a dress shoe, and I always do, make sure you are going to use it by bringing along a pair of black slacks and dressy blazer, or a dress that must be worn with that particular shoe. This is how I force myself to wear everything in my suitcase – I limit my options.

My Perfect Choice of Coats and Totes

A puffy, short jacket is easy to roll into a tiny little ball and store in the corner of your suitcase. It’s simple to pack and versatile, keeping you warm and is not bulky to wear. You can dress it up or down, depending on where you are going. It can be worn in the rain or on a breezy day or night. A tote is great for carrying on the plane, to haul your laptop, a scarf, a few gifts you purchased at the airport and even a smaller purse, filled with your jewelry and vitamins, that you can take out when you get to your final destination. An all-weather raincoat is also a great option for cooler weather, with or without the rain.

A Variety of Technology

Even on a vacation, I always end up working in some capacity or another. Being prepared with what I need, even though I usually think I won’t need it and always do, makes my life easier when I am caught in a pinch. There are charging stations everywhere, but when it’s time to charge my phone, I can’t seem to find a single one of them. I like to always bring a portable charger that is as small as a lipstick tube so that I am always connected in an emergency. At the very least, it will give you the added peace of mind.

I also bring along my earbuds and noise-canceling headphones. I subscribe to the adage, “better safe than sorry,” and sometimes I prefer one over the other. The noise in the airplane when attempting to watch a movie is deafening, and noise-canceling headphones can almost eradicate the cabin noise, making the volume and sound pure and clear. The music you listen to or the movie you watch will be much more enjoyable when wearing the correct technology. Earbuds are easier for other situations so I like to bring both.

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If you enjoyed My Fall Packing List, you may also like Fall Travel Etiquette: 6 Ways to Stay Healthy While Traveling this Season. See what Diane is up to by following her on Instagram and Facebook. Find etiquette inspiration on her Pinterest account and keep up with her latest tweets. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, refer to her posts on Inc. and HuffPost.