How to pack for a week in one carry on

Travel Tips

A week of basics fits into any carry-on. (Photo: Comstock/Stockbyte/Getty Images )

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The gear for a week-long trip that involves snowboarding, a funeral and a beach visit might not fit into one carry-on, but a small bag is big enough to tote everything you’ll need for a typical trip. Not an inch of space can be wasted when your carry-on is your primary luggage. Start early, pack slowly and relish your work when you breeze through the airport without coughing up any checked-bag fees.

Think Versatility and Wearability

Those deadly black heels or that perfectly-tailored suit might be just what you want to be wearing in your trip photos, but if you’ll only get one use out of any item bigger than a paperback, it shouldn’t earn a spot in your carry-on. Every item you bring should be useful on at least two days of your trip. Think jeans and wrinkle-resistant fabrics in patterns or dark colors; you can wear these pieces a few times without creases or small stains showing up. Bring light layering pieces to adjust the same few tops for any weather conditions. Aim to limit yourself to three pairs of shoes — athletic shoes, dress shoes and sandals or casual shoes like loafers will likely fulfill your needs — and plan to wear your bulkiest pair of shoes during travel.

Survey Everything at Once

Start shoving things from your dresser into your carry-on and unnecessary items will take up much-needed space. To be sure you’re packing just the essentials, gather everything you think you’ll need for the week on your bed or the floor so everything is visible. When you start packing, begin with the bulkiest and most crucial items, like shoes, a week’s supply of underwear, a few tops and pants and the bathing suit you must have at the beach. If you run out of room at the end of packing, the items that get left behind should be of the least importance — or you can cram them into your purse or messenger bag along with your wallet, phone, snacks and some light reading.

Save Space While Packing

Set your shoes in the bottom of your carry-on, soles together to protect the rest of your things from getting dirty, and start filling in the crevices with socks and underwear. Roll the rest of your clothing, arranging the rolled items tightly together in layers around your shoes. If you can’t get enough clothing into your carry-on, consider packing outfits in compression bags, which allow you to manually push out air. Your clothing won’t take up as much space in this type of bag, but as IndependentTraveler.com points out, they won’t lessen the weight of your suitcase. If you’re traveling with any business apparel or dress clothing, fold these garments in half or thirds and slide them into a large plastic bag. Tie the bag shut, leaving some air in the bag to act as a cushion against wrinkles, and place this bag on top of the rest of your clothing.

Skimp on Toiletries

If you’re flying, you’re limited to packing small quantities of liquids and gels in a carry-on, but even if your bag is traveling by trunk, toiletries should take up very little of your space. Fill a small, zippered case with travel-sized tubes of toothpaste and sunscreen, a miniature bottle of shaving cream, a disposable razor, a travel stick of deodorant and a toothbrush. Transfer some of any necessary hair products to travel bottles with squeeze tops. A woman may pack a few basic cosmetics, and any traveler should pack a 10-day supply of necessary medications. Most hotels will supply other basic toiletries, but if not, you’ll easily find shampoo and conditioner for sale in just about any destination. Pack any containers of liquids or gels in a plastic food storage bag tucked into your toiletry bag. It will protect clothes from leaks and be easy to remove for airport screening.

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Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Nowadays flights are relatively well priced and the thing that really gets you spending money while traveling are the baggage fees! A checked-in suitcase can cost you an extra 50$ and if it’s overweight you are DONE. Because of this, I have become a pro at fitting everything in one little carry on for trips that last weeks. Having just a carry on not only reduces the costs of packing for a trip but also reduces the stress. I find that when I have limited space I’m more strategic in my packing and put more thought into what I bring. With this mentality I rarely forget things and when I’m choosing my outfit for the day it is an easy choice.

I know for some people packing only a carry on sounds crazy, but honestly, once you start you will never go back! There are so many pros of just packing a carry on a suitcase; no fear of lost luggage, no airport employees tossing your bag and breaking stuff, no waiting after landing for your luggage and the list goes on. Just note that this post is about packing for warm-weather travel, packing a carry on for colder climates is slightly different but remember layers are your best friend! I have had a t-shirt, sweater, hoodie, winter jacket and scarf all on me at the airport in order to not pack large luggage.

Now that raved about packing light, I’m going to tell you exactly what I would pack for a week-long getaway in my carry on.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may receive a small discount. See disclosure for more information.

The Suitcase

The carry-on you use is very important. You’re going to be taking it all around so it better be easy to maneuver. I LOVE the carry-ons with four, 360-degree wheels, they are so much easier to move and feel so light.

Clothing

Packing clothes is the hardest part. I always think I’m going to need so much stuff and have so many “what if” thoughts. But honestly, if you pack the basics you will most likely survive & if you REALLY need something you can buy it there. For example, if you are going somewhere and the forecast says rain, don’t take up half your carry on with a raincoat, buy a cheap umbrella there.

Beauty & Health

This part of packing will be very different depending on who you are and what you need in your daily beauty routines and what health products you need.

But I will give you an outline of a list, where you can add or subtract things depending on your situation. A really good packing hack is the use of clear toiletries and makeup bags. I use clear makeup and toiletries bags because I’ve noticed airports getting more strict on liquids being in clear bags. This way all your liquids are in clear bags so you can get through quicker. I also pack a travel toothbrush that folds up.

Note: All liquids are “mini” aka under 100ml.

Personal Item

You are also allowed to bring one personal item while traveling, it could be a purse or a little bag, I bring my little backpack. This holds all my electronics such as my phone, computer, plug adapters, chargers as well as my passport, wallet, snacks, water and any other little things I may be bringing. Some of my backpack must-haves are pictured below!

With only this, I always have an amazing time! I think we sometimes put too much thought into how we look on vacation when we should just be enjoying ourselves. As long as you have your phone, passport, and money everything will be fine.

Do you travel with only a carry on? If so, did I cover everything you bring as well?

There’s no need to wheel around a giant bag for a two-week adventure! Use these tips to pack light before you hit the road.

Two weeks. You. A carry-on. That’s really all you need for the adventure of a lifetime. Have your doubts about traveling so light? No worries, man! It is entirely possible to last a fortnight on just the contents of one carry-on bag. The first step, of course, is snagging a compact suitcase that boasts lots of storage space. Once you have the right bag, take a look at this awesome video Eagle Creek made to show you how a carry-on can go the distance with the Pack-It™ system. Not only will all your things fit, but the system will also make everything faster and more convenient once you’re on the road.

Maximize Space

Every square inch counts, so be sure you put your space to good use. Roll clothes instead of folding them — and make those little bundles as tight as possible — to fit more items. Once the bigger stuff is in, fill up nooks and crannies with small and odd-shaped things like socks, singlets, and swimming trunks. It’s all about making bulky items as tiny as possible, and fitting tiny items where the bulky ones won’t go. Consider investing in Eagle Creek compression bags or packing cubes to shrink your belongings’ footprint, and conserve, conserve, conserve that space. For example, this Half Cube has two compartments so you can keep both your clean and dirty boxers and socks rolled tightly—and separated from each other.

Make it a Mini

Travel-size toiletries are your best friends when it comes to packing light. There’s no need to drag around jumbo bottles of shampoo and shaving cream when their petite counterparts will suffice for two weeks. You can either purchase miniature products at any drug store or buy a batch of TSA-approved empty bottles (Remember: Liquids must be 3oz or less!) to fill with your own stuff. The Pack-It™ Bi-Tech™ Trip Kit is a tough, water-resistant carrier that’s not only the perfect size for electric razors and cologne, but it also has a distinct masculine look.

Pack Light(weight)

Pack your lightest clothing pieces possible (unless you’re traveling to a cold-weather destination, in which case you may need a few heavier items). This won’t just help with space: travel trousers not only roll up to use much less room than bulky jeans, but they’ll also dry more quickly if you need to wash them. After all, with such limited packing space, you should aim to do laundry mid-trip and re-wear items a few times. Use a packing folder to keep your dress slacks and difficult-to-fold button downs neat and ready to go, and keep them from wrinkling too much!

Mix and Match

Keep things simple, and pack pieces that all match each other. You might love that neon orange t-shirt, but how many unique outfits are you going to pull off with it as a component? (On second thought, just ditch the neon.) Pick a basic color scheme and stick with it, and you’ll be able to make many outfits out of a few pieces. A few key staples can go a long way when you get creative. Even the most dapper gentleman will get mega mileage out of a capsule wardrobe.

Favor Versatility

We’ve discussed clothing choices to no small extent at this point, but you can fine-tune your travel wardrobe even further. When possible, bring pieces that do double-duty. Think: pants that can zip off into shorts or a jacket that has a removable liner. Try a reversible belt instead of bringing a black and a brown version. Make single items of clothing work harder for you. Use a Pack-It™ Half Tube Cube for rolled up belts and ties—so you can move things around in your bag and still stay organized once you’re adding souvenirs to the mix.

Go Easy On The Shoes

Sure, shoes are a necessary evil, but they’re also major space hogs. Between trainers, sandals, and dress shoes alone, a well-dressed fellow could easily pack an entire bag full of footwear alone! Limit yourself to just two pairs when you travel with a carry-on — one in your bag, and one on your feet. Remember versatility here, too: Bring shoes that are neutral in color, and can be dressed up or down, so you’re prepared for all outfits and situations. If possible, wear the heavier pair on the plane (or bus, or car, et cetera) to squeeze every last bit of space possible. The Pack-It™ Shoe Sac is the perfect size for a pair of dress shoes, or even some flip-flops and boat shoes together.

Once your versatile travel clothes and gear are packed tightly into the packing cubes and folders, then it’s just an easy game of Tetris to slide each component into your backpack or suitcase. The Eagle Creek Pack-It™ System is designed to not only save precious space you need in a carry-on, but it also makes your travels faster and more organized once you’re at your destination!

A step-by-step guide to getting everything you need into one portable bag.

Heading off on an island vacation? Lucky you! Here’s one piece of advice to start off your trip right: pack only a carry-on bag. You’ll save on checked bag fees, won’t waste precious vacation time waiting at the luggage carousel, and never have to worry about your luggage getting lost. Plus, if you need to fly standby or your flight gets cancelled, you’ll be able to hop the next available flight.

What’s that you say, you’re going away for a week? No problem! Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting everything you need into one portable bag, all without having to shell out for expensive packing accessories. Let’s go!

Pre-Packing

The key to packing light is getting organized before you place even one flip-flop in your roll-on.

First, consult the weather forecast for your destination. Only sunshine during your trip? Leave the raingear at home — one secret to packing light is to only bring what you need, without adding “what ifs” to the bag.

Next, check with your accommodations to see what in-room amenities and toiletries they offer. Hairdryers and irons are standard at most properties, so need to pack them (and if they don’t have them, leave items that need to be ironed at home).

Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry on luggage (one, 1-quart bag with liquids no more than 3.4 ounces). Avail yourself of your lodging’s toiletries when you can (many luxe spots even offer poolside suntan lotion). Do, however, throw in some individual Woolite packs or a small container of detergent so you can wash clothes on the go.

Now, before you put anything in a bag, make a list. Overpacking happens when you start grabbing drawers full of shirts and dropping them into your open bag (for a packing check list, see below). Write down every item you’re going to bring on vacation.

Stick to a color scheme. A neutral background — think black, white, tan — with a few colorful accessories, such as a scarf or a sweater, will help limit what you’re packing.

Wear your heaviest items on the plane. For example, if you’re planning on hiking, wear your hiking boots on the way to your destination. For casual trips, wear sneakers and layers, including whatever outerwear you’re bringing with you for cool evenings, such as a jacket or sweater. Basically, anything bulky that will take up a great deal of suitcase space should be worn (leave the sandals and shorts to pack in your bag).

Pack it Up

Okay, you have your list and you know what you’re wearing on the plane. Now it’s time to pack your bag.

Consult your list and lay out everything where you can see it. Do not add anything to this. The secret to traveling with a carry on bag is to not overstuff.

Roll it up. T-shirts and shorts should be rolled to both save space and cut down on wrinkling. Start with a shirt face down flat on a flat surface. Fold the arms back so you have a perfect square. Fold in half vertically. Now roll up from the bottom to the top — voila, a perfect cylinder.

Fold and go. Heavier materials, like khakis and sweaters, should be folded into squares.

Bag it. For lingerie and delicate items such as bathing suits, use mesh lingerie bags (you can find these at most drug stores), which will allow security to see your items without actually touching them and keep small items organized.

Dress up. For dresses, skirts, blouses or dress shirts, place each item on a hanger, and place in individual plastic drycleaner bags. This keeps clothes wrinkle-free (the plastic reduces friction) and organized.

NOW you’re ready to pack your bag. Stack square shapes first, then rolled items around those. Tuck shoes and flip flops into corners (and remember that shoes don’t need to travel next to each other). Socks can be placed into shoes, or into empty spaces. Place your toiletry bag on top of your perfectly folded clothes so you can reach it easily for separate screening. Then lay your plastic wrapped dress clothes on top and fold over to fit into the bag. Zip and go!

Budgeting, Lifestyle, MONEY TALK, Saving, Travel

When given the choice between checking my bags or taking them with me on the plane, I always choose the latter. I have heard too many lost-baggage stories from close friends, family, and even strangers. I don’t want that to happen to me!

How to pack a carry on suitcase

My days working as an auditor required heavy travel. Like most girls I overpacked for my first couple of work trips. Bringing things like a curling iron, three pairs of shoes, and workout gear. I never once touched those things! Soon, I became a packing machine. My male coworkers would help me with my carry-on suitcase and comment on how light it was. Most of the time my suitcase was nowhere near full. Unless I was traveling to a colder place that required thicker gear.

Airlines allow a personal item in addition to the carry-on. I take full advantage with this Longchamp duffle bag. You’d be surprised how much I can stuff in there.

Okay, so let’s see how I packed three weeks worth of necessities into one small carry-on and personal item.

1. Determine what shoes you will bring.
On the day of travel, wear the shoes that would take up the most space if packed. Flip-flops and flats can be packed away easily. If you want to bring boots on your trip, wear them on travel day. It will be a pain to take off at security, but I would take that inconvenience over having to check a larger suitcase. Our trip will involve tons of walking, which means sneakers are a must. Sneakers take up more space than flip-flops and flats, so I will be wearing these Nike shoes (love the retro look!) onto the plane and packing my other shoes.

2. Mix and match.
Choose tops and bottoms that can be easily mixed and matched. I used to pack outfits for each day. And a different outfit for each night. I usually came home with half a suitcase full of clothes I didn’t even touch. Don’t overthink it. Just pack what you wear on a daily basis and be comfortable!

3. Roll, don’t fold.
I have found that rolling your clothes takes up less space than folding them. Make sure you keep the piece of clothing smooth as you roll it up. Otherwise, you’ll end up with annoying wrinkles. Not only will you not have lines from folding on your clothes, it will be easier to see what you have packed.

4. Heavy on the bottom.
Put your rolled jeans and other heavier pieces of clothing into the suitcase first. The second “layer” will be the thinner tops and shirts. This will keep your more delicate items from being smushed and make it easier to zip the suitcase if you are at max capacity.

All of my clothes for the three-week trip are packed into the carry-on suitcase with room to spare! The leftover space that you see next to my clothes will get filled up with underwear and socks. The “lid” of the suitcase gives an additional three inches of space! My clothes extend past the bottom half of the suitcase by about an inch. This leaves me two more inches to work with. Flats and sandals will go up in the “lid”.

What about my duffle bag? I keep my toiletries, makeup, laptop, Kindle, chargers, and my handbag in my “personal item”, just in case the overhead bins on the plane get filled up and the flight attendants make me check my carry-on. I use this Longchamp tote whenever I travel. It is water-resistant, extremely light, and flexible enough that I can stuff it into my personal item. I’m basically taking on TWO personal items!

The next time you take an extended trip, give these tips a try and let me know how it worked for you!

What are your top travel tips? Do you prefer checking your bags or carrying them on?

Did you like this post? If you did, I would love for you to share it!

It only takes the airline losing your luggage once to never want to check a bag again. Add in the fact that checking a suitcase can cost $50, wastes precious travel time sitting around a baggage claim, and there’s a lot of incentive to carry-on. Here’s how I manage to fit a week’s worth of clothes in my overhead bin bag.

Pack complimenting clothing.

If you stick to a complimentary color palate, you can make just a few pieces work double or triple duty. For example, pick a white button down shirt, a blouse with a fun print and cozy sweater. Next, a great pair of jeans, dressier black pants and a chic pair of joggers or khakis. You can mix and match all of the shirts with all of the pants, creating nine outfits. Throw in a little black dress and you’re prepared for anything!

Three pairs of shoes, max.

I know I’ll get a lot of flack from shoe lovers, but look– this is about practicality! I wear one pair of shoes (hopefully the biggest ones, like a pair of boots), then make sure to pack a chic pair of flats (leopard print is my go-to!), and maybe a pair of sneakers if I have time squeeze in a run. Think of it this way– you could check your bag full of shoes, or you could buy a great new pair with the $100 you’re saving on not checking a bag both ways.

Accessories are your friend.

You might be feeling a little bor-ing with your limited wardrobe options. Cheer up, friend! This is what statement jewelry is for. Pack a few chunky necklaces, bracelets, fun earrings, and definitely a scarf (which I use to roll up all of these accessories). I always pack a tube of great red lipstick, which takes an outfit from a 6 to a 10 in seconds.

Waste no space.

Every suitcase has nooks and crannies that are often overlooked. For example, the space on the bottom of your suitcase between the sides of the roller handle. I make sure to create a base layer of stuff in my bag– like socks, undies, and other small items– to fill up that otherwise wasted space. Every square inch counts!

Forget toiletry travel sets.

Big box store offer lots of great travel items, but re-useable containers for your shampoo, conditioner and soap are not one of them. Unless you’re traveling for a month, you do not need much of any of these products (plus, I am tired of decanting my shampoo!). I say pack sample sizes of your favorite goods. Talk to folks working at the beauty counter, at stores like Sephora or Ulta for free samples; or buy smaller containers of favorites at the drug store or Target. You could also check out a Birchbox membership for a few months to really stock up on samples of nice products. They’re the perfect size for travel (and don’t take up much space). Be sure to pack your liquids in an exterior pocket for easy access in the security line.

Packing cubes for the win.

Let me shout it from the rooftop: If you’re not using packing cubes, you’re doing it wrong! They keep your bag organized, and I love the ability to move a packing cube from my suitcase right into a hotel dresser drawer (how often do you think those things get cleaned? Exactly.). A cube also makes it easy to roll your clothes, which takes up less space. High-five!

WHAT TO PACK…
(with updated links)

I have to admit, even I’m surprised I was able to travel with just a carry-on bag for a week to Europe, especially needing warm clothing, lots of layers and rain gear. But, I did it last week and it worked out fine. The key is being extremely practical and making sure each piece has the versatility to be worn at least a couple of different ways.

There’s actually plenty here to work with, and mixing the various layers for day or nighttime activity is easy. One caveat…this was a casual trip to Switzerland, visiting my son who is studying in Lugano. I didn’t need anything too dressy. The days were spent exploring the city and trekking in the hills. Comfort, warmth and waterproof are elements that had top priority. When I wanted to feel a bit more dressed for dinner, I pulled an all black look together or black pants with a pretty blouse. Here’s my thought process on what I packed:

Outerwear: I know it might look extreme to have this many options, but like I said, comfort is key. A long puffer coat is necessary with temps dipping into the 30s and 40s at night. This is the bulkiest item, so I carried it on the plane with me. The other three pieces – a vest, lightweight shell and short puffer – were compressed and tucked into the corners of my suitcase. Ultimately, I didn’t need the shell because it was too cold, but the short puffer was good for hiking.

PUFFER COATS

VESTS

Shoes: I like to have a few options to rotate in case my feet get tired from one pair. Sturdy boots and sneakers for all day touring are a must particularly with cobblestone streets. A loafer of some sort is a nice switch for dinner. Additionally, I like to tuck a pair of soft, slipper type shoes in my bag for quick trips within the hotel to the lobby or breakfast. I wear my bulkiest shoes on the flight to allow for plenty of space in the suitcase. For this trip, a pair of Rag & Bone boots with a thick sole (no longer available) did the job of keeping me comfortable and warm. The below are very similar.

Discount airfares to Iceland seem to be popping up more and more, making it much more affordable for people to travel to this incredible country. Of course, those low fares often come with a catch. Discount airfares generally come with extreme baggage restrictions, so travelers that want to keep their costs low will be forced to pack everything they need in just their carry-on luggage.

When I saw a super cheap fare to Iceland on WOW Air, I jumped on it. I, admittedly, did very little research and simply made an impulse buy. I later paid for my spontaneity, but I was still able to fly to Iceland for a really reasonable price, provided I flew with only a carry-on suitcase. Normally, I am not intimidated by luggage restrictions, as I prefer to travel light, but Iceland is not my typical destination. My one week trip involved driving all around the Ring Road and making several stops a day to get out of the car to walk around and explore. I knew I’d be facing the cold Iceland winds while I walked on unpaved ground to get closer to powerful waterfalls that might spray me with a cold mist. Icebergs and glacier lagoons were also on the itinerary. This was not a trip that called for my usual sundresses, jeans, and ballerina flats.

Once I had committed to traveling with only a carry-on bag, I was genuinely worried that I would be uncomfortable and cold for a week straight, but I promise you, I wasn’t! You absolutely can pack for a whole week in Iceland in just one small carry-on suitcase or bag.

Start with jackets

While Iceland isn’t actually the land of ice people tend to picture, it does get pretty chilly, especially when the powerful wind kicks up. My number one clothing recommendation is a high quality rain jacket. Even on dry days, you will appreciate the windbreaker material that helps cut the cold wind. Look for a jacket that is loose enough to wear over thicker clothing so that you can bundle up on colder days. I ended up wearing my rain jacket every single day, rain or shine. It was lightweight enough that I could go on longer walks and not get too sweaty when my body temperature started to rise, but warm enough that the cold air that rushed at me as soon as I opened the car door didn’t make me want to cry. Iceland is also full of amazing waterfalls, many of which you can take a look at up close. When you’re standing under a waterfall, a good rain jacket comes in pretty handy. I bought a Columbia brand jacket that actually packs into its own pocket, meaning the tiny square only took up a small fraction of my carry-on.

For colder days, you’ll want a thin but warm jacket to wear underneath your rain jacket. I have a nice one from Under Armor that is designed for outdoor excursions. It has thin insulation and breathable fabric, so it worked well as a layer between my shirt and rain jacket. This jacket also kept my warm on the cold airplane. Both my insulated jacket and rain jacket had hoods, which allowed me to skip the hat. One less thing to pack!

Plan reusable layers

When most of your day is spent in a car and your tops are always covered by a jacket, you really don’t have to worry about having super fashionable clothes. I also support re-wearing clothes on a trip, because who is really there to judge you? I packed a few tank tops to wear underneath long-sleeved shirts. My long sleeve shirts included 3 thermals and 2 dry-wick workout tops. On extra cold days, I put on a tank top, thermal, and then one of my workout tops. I was never cold, and sometimes the physical activity got me warm enough that I’d end up peeling one of those layers off later in the day.

Make sure your pants are outdoor-friendly

I’m not a hiker, so my outdoorsy clothing options are slim to none. Whenever I need to go on a hike, I tend to just wear my workout clothes, which are all shorts and capris. Obviously, that wasn’t going to work for Iceland. I decided to invest in some pants that are specifically designed for hiking. I found a pair of lightweight, quick drying grey pants with several zipper pockets. I lived in these pants for the entire trip. The material cut the wind very well, so even though they were thin, my legs were never cold. The pants took up about 1/3 of the space as a pair of jeans, making them ideal for packing only a carry-on. I did also shove a pair of jeans in there and I wore them a few times, but I definitely could have lived without them had I needed the space.

Bring small accessories that make a big difference

Three things that take up very little space but will be extremely useful in Iceland: gloves, scarf, and a swimsuit.

A swimsuit may sound like a weird item, but you can’t go to Iceland without visiting one of their amazing geothermal spas. These naturally hot waters are therapeutic and are paired with amazing views. The Blue Lagoon is a short trip from Reykjavik, but the mystical blue waters will make you feel like you are in another world.

If you plan to take a lot of photos (which you should), I recommend getting a pair of gloves that works with smartphones and touchscreens. My gloves were not touchscreen friendly, so I ended up taking them off constantly, which lead to very cold, dry, and cracked hands at the end of my trip. Gloves are not one of my go-to items when I pack, so I was ill-prepared. Scarves, on the other hand, almost always make it into my bag, or rather, around my neck for the chilly airplane ride. One good scarf will make big difference in how you handle the wind, and if you wear it on the day of travel, it won’t take up any space at all in your carry-on.

Spring for the good socks

My one regret was not investing in better socks. For some reason, I had no problem throwing down money for new hiking pants, a rain jacket, and gloves, but I drew the line at high quality socks. My feet were consistently cold, especially the day when I ended up knee deep in water at a black sand glacier beach.

Fortunately I only got wet feet and wasn’t pulled out to sea towards the dangerous Atlantic waves, which are life threatening – and not only because you could easily get hypothermia.

Thick, comfortable socks won’t take up much more space than their cheap, thin counterparts, so don’t cheap out on this. Long socks work great for keeping your calves warm on especially cold or windy days, and can be rolled down if you get hot.

I absolutely loved driving through Iceland and I never once worried about clothing I had left behind due to space restrictions. If you can score a cheap flight to Iceland, go for it and don’t worry about the luggage restrictions!

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Want to have a stress-free trip? If it’s your first time traveling or you want to brush up on your travel skills, follow my top 5 packing tips for a one week trip:

1. Packing Organizers

Packing cubes are the number one trick to fitting your clothing into one carry-on suitcase. It’s surprising how much you can cram into these space saving items. Use the rolling method shown in this packing video tutorial for maximum results with minimal space.

Watch the packing tutorial on Youtube!

In 2017, I launched Compass Rose Travel Accessories and my very first product was a 4-Piece Set of Carryon Packing Cubes. These are the only packing cubes sized to fit the exact width of a carryon suitcase and they also have a unique color-coded and numbered organization system – the only kind currently available anywhere on the market.

I put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the different methods to use packing cubes. If you use this specific packing strategy, they can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carryon only!

Buy Compass Rose Packing Cubes here!

2. Carry-on Luggage

This may sounds like an obvious tip but the reality is that the more space you have the more items you will want to pack. I’ts too tempting to fill up empty space so limit yourself by purchasing a carry-on that will force you to pack less.

3. Plan a Capsule Wardrobe

10 pieces of clothing is all you need for a 1 week or even a 1 month trip. By carefully selecting basics in neutral colors and ensuring that all items can mix and match, you can make over 3 weeks’ worth of outfits with just 10 pieces of clothing as shown in this post. Who knew?

Learn how to create your own capsule wardrobe with TFG’s packing eBook!

4. Stylish Travel Accessories

Use the lazy girl’s guide to travel style and let your travel accessories do the hard work for you. Pack key items that will add instant style to any wardrobe without taking up much space: fedora or knit hat, woven belt, printed scarf, classic jewelry set, statement shoes, and a leather camel color handbag.

Check out our posts and recommendations for cute and functional travel accessories!

5. Downsize Travel-size Toiletries

For a one-week trip, avoid using travel size 3oz bottles and pack only the exact amounts that you will need. Using smaller toiletry containers such as contact lens cases you can pack more of what you need in smaller quantities.

What are your best packing tips? Share them below!

Want more packing tips? Please read the following:

For a blog about Two Day travels, why would I need to know (or want to share) how to pack for 2 weeks? Because sometimes my Two Day Travels happen in a sequence – a group of them together – especially when traveling long distances, like the time I visited 5 Beautiful Christmas Markets in Europe . Sometimes they happen as a result of being somewhere already for work or for family and I add on another couple days for my personal travels, like the time I went to a wedding in Melbourne so spent some time exploring the sights there and then took a Two Day Trip Along the Great Ocean Road !

I find traveling with carry-on sized luggage much easier; not just because it means my luggage is always with me on a flight & rarely checked, but because it’s easier to carry around in between flights – onto trains, into a cab, on a subway, up stairs, down streets, etc. It also means I’m spending less time picking out my clothes every day and more time exploring the city I’m in!

Planning Your Outfits

This is my planning grid, based on actual clothes I own, for a 12-day trip that included 2 evenings out. With what I have planned, I can make more than enough outfits with these clothes + doing laundry once during the trip.

The most important things to remember when packing is to COORDINATE, LAYER , and ACCESSORIZE ! Everything here can mix and match with everything else. All of the tops work with each other in layers, and they work with all of the bottoms. I picked three neutrals (black, white, tan) and two colors (fuchsia, blue).

I found the combination of six tops + three bottoms worked perfectly to give me enough different looks for the 12 days I was traveling. Plus, I brought a black dress to dress up for a night out at the ballet. In addition, I had three pairs of shoes: walking shoes, ankle boots, and flats.

Here is a picture of everything I packed on the trip:

One note: the Gray Flannel scarf was swapped out for a much thinner, tan wool scarf and I dropped the fuchsia flats – they would have been fun to have, but I decided to save space for souvenirs.

The bottom left photo is my “Going There” picture – carryon luggage, the red tote (my computer bag and what I put under the airplane seat in front of me) and my travel outfit. On the way back, I had accumulated a few souvenirs, so used the bigger white tote as my 2nd bag – still small enough to fit under the seat, but big enough to hold red computer bag + new purchases.

My carry-on is a 19″ roll aboard that fits most international carry-on requirements, which are often smaller than US domestic flights. My specific Delsey suitcase is over 6 years old and doesn’t seem to exist in stores anymore, but you can find similar ones like this newer DELSEY Paris Luggage Helium Aero International Carry On Expandable Spinner Trolley-19″ or this AmazonBasics Premium Upright Expandable Softside Suitcase with TSA Lock – 19-Inch International Carry-On .

Outfits by Day

Here are all of the outfit combinations I wore during the trip:

As you can see, I bought a new Blue Polka Dot scarf on my trip – useful, fits into the coordinating scheme, easy to pack, and it’s a fun souvenir of my trip!

While I obviously repeated items of clothing throughout the trip, I never repeated an entire outfit!

Additional Tips

I used my red bag as my day bag around town and had the black crossbody/clutch for evenings out. The red bag was extremely lightweight, allowed me to reduce layers (scarf, sweater) throughout the day as it warmed up, and carried the souvenirs I bought while out exploring! In addition, I had a small foldable tote ( similar to this one ) that fits into my jacket pocket that was handy on days I didn’t want to carry the full tote bag.

One of the smartest decisions I made was to bring my heavier New Balance shoes . I had briefly contemplated bringing a smaller, lighter type of tennis shoe but with the amount of walking I did, I’m really glad I brought the New Balance ones!

A helpful packing tip is to use packing cubes for smaller items. I used my Eagle Creek packing cube for underwear, scarves, and socks, but they’re also useful for anything you want to keep together!

There are only a couple things I’d do differently:

1) I wish I’d brought a few more inner layers – some black & white tank tops, for example, just for some added flexibility of layers on warmer days.

3) I should have brought some of my Clay Masks as it is light and compact and great for oily skin when traveling to humid countries.

Are you a carry-on only traveler? Let me know in the comments your favorite packing tips!

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Hey, everyone! It’s Hannah again! Thank you all SO much for your amazing feedback on my first post , it means more to me than you’ll ever know. About a month ago, the team and I were brainstorming summer content ideas when Chriselle asked me if I had given any thought to what I wanted my 2nd contributing post to be about. (ICYMI, you can read my first post here !)

“Yes!” I lied (sorry, Chriselle). I had in fact given zero thought as to what my second post would be. So I improvised: “Since I’m going to Madrid in a few weeks, one of the ideas I had was to write about how to pack for a week in a carry-on!”

“That’s a great idea, Hannah!” Chriselle exclaimed, “Perfect for summer. You should totally do it.”

You see, I’m an over-packer. Like, two-suitcases-for-a-week-at-home kind of over-packer. Very bad. I straight up pack a small suitcase to spend the night at a friend’s place. Why is it that I wear the same jeans/sweaters/shoes on rotation but the second I’m packing for a trip I throw stuff I haven’t worn in months into my suitcase? But I wasn’t about to disappoint the boss lady so I embraced the challenge and you know what, it was kind of amazing.

I knew it was going to be warm in Spain, so bodysuits, cute tops, dresses, and shorts were the way to go. Which luckily, can be easily squashed into a tiny space, i.e, my carry on. But then, I had to decide which shoes to pack and we all know how much room shoes take up. I’ve been known to travel with 5+ pairs of shoes, but I cut it down to 3! (I’m quite proud of myself thank you very much)! I was visiting my younger brother who’s studying abroad, so a huge shout out to him for being such a good sport as I demanded an OOTD photo every day. Here’s everything I wore while in Madrid and a weekend in Barcelona:

For my first day exploring Madrid, I grabbed my cut-offs, some lace up sandals and a cute lingerie top. In this photo, I’m jet lagged, my ankles are still swollen from the flight and I’m standing in the Plaza de España.

For my day 2 look, I 100% completely outfit copied a girl I had seen at a coffee shop the day before. I wore my striped pants, a sweater because it was pleasantly chilly and my tennis shoes ‘cause I did a lot of walking.

Can’t go wrong with a t-shirt, jeans and a top knot, right? My brother and I did a little shopping that day and a whole lot of eating. My hair took a turn for the worst on the trip- humidity forced me to wear my hair up and in ponytails. Rude.

Here’s me in front of my Vespa. Kidding. Day 4 was pretty relaxed. My brother had class and I took the time to catch up on some much needed sleep. The same cut offs from Day 1, a black tank top and my new shoes and bag were the perfect casual look for stuffing my face with paella.

Thank God for elevator mirrors because my brother had class all day and couldn’t take an outfit photo for me. I wore a super comfy maxi dress and my lace-up sandals for another day of shopping and catching the train to Barcelona!

Barcelona had me singing Ed Sheeran and Cheetah Girls all weekend. I wore a knit tank-top , some cute silk shorts and my lace up sandals for a day of sightseeing. I can now say with 100% certainty that everyone should visit Park Güell before they die. It was amazing . Dinner plans? More paella, of course.

For my last day in Spain, I wore a button down dress that I picked up at Zara in Madrid a few days earlier. In LA, I’m not much of a “ dress-girl “as I am a “t-shirt and jeans girl,” but this dress might have just turned me. Maximum chic with minimal effort.

You all know how much I love my Samsonite Winfield Carry-On Suitcase. It used to be that I only took the bag on short trips, but since learning tips for how to pack for a week in a carry-on suitcase I’ve been able to take this suitcase on week-long trips with no problem. I recently look it on our vacation to St. Lucia and I felt like I arrived with less luggage than anyone else at the resort, though I had quite a bit of stuff with me.

As a recap, here’s my suitcase:

It’s just about the size of my dog Bacon if I lay it on its side.

Here’s all of the stuff I was able to fit into the suitcase:

That’s 11 Tank Tops, 5 tee shirts, 3 dresses, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of sandals, pjs, yoga pants, 3 bathing suits, packing cube with unmentionables, makeup bag, toiletries case, travel surge protector, travel adapter, wet bathing suit bag (not pictured) assortment of sunscreen in a waterproof pouch, Gorjana scarf, Amrita Singh coral necklace, and waterproof band-aids. Needless to say, I didn’t really skimp when it came to packing and I never actually got around to wearing everything I packed! (In the interest of full disclosure, we attended a wedding in St. Lucia and the dress I wore did not get packed in this suitcase, so were I traveling alone to this wedding I probably couldn’t have used this case.)

It used to be that I couldn’t go away for a weekend using such a small suitcase, let alone for a week. The reason I’m able to pack for a week in a carry-on suitcase is exactly what you see above: I roll my clothing to make each piece as small as possible! Not only will rolling your clothing help you fit as much stuff as possible into your suitcase, but it will also prevent your clothes from wrinkling. With a little bit of practice you’ll be able to stuff more items into your suitcase than you ever thought possible!

Pack your suitcase by putting your biggest items on the bottom. Above I’ve rolled and packed 3 dresses and a pair of shorts. Rolling your clothing will also help you fit items between the bars that are at the bottom of every suitcase. Make the most of every little inch of space!

Keep rolling and packing items, creating multiple layers within the suitcase.

Finally, I put the white items on top. I feel like this will help keep them cleaner for some reason, but it probably doesn’t matter.

I have three full layers of clothing in this side of the suitcase, which is almost all of the clothes I needed to pack. I wouldn’t have been able to do this without rolling my clothing and fitting the items into the suitcase like a jigsaw puzzle. The only items I wasn’t able to fit into this side are my swimsuits, pjs, and unmentionables, but they’ll easily fit with what’s left on the other side of the divider.

I put the items mentioned above, as well as all of my other accessories into the left side of the suitcase. I stacked one blouse that wouldn’t roll easily on top of all of my other clothing, and then placed my Ame & Lulu Shoe Bag on top of everything else.

Close the divider, and the suitcase easily closes… with a week’s worth of clothing, accessories, and necessities enclosed inside! Learning how to tightly roll my clothing has really changed the way I pack, and made it so I can bring my smallest piece of luggage on almost any trip.

For more travel fun, last summer I shared how to pack a carry-on bag for a long plane trip, and I packed a very similar bag this year when we went to St. Lucia, with the only change being that I brought along the Microsoft Surface instead of my old work iPad.

Do Tell: What tips do you have for how to pack for a week in a carry-on suitcase? What are your favorite tricks for packing for long trips? What travel tips do you have that we didn’t cover this week?

Pack smarter with these travel accessories:

By Shivani Vora and Michelle Higgins

Illustrations by Julia Rothman

Packing may seem simple, but it is a science with rules that travelers often learn the hard way over thousands of miles on the road. Doing it strategically can be the difference between a harried vacation with countless detours to local drugstores and a streamlined one with everything you need at your fingertips. Here’s our shortcut to packing the right way: how to find the best suitcase, minimize your load, pack what you need on a beach trip or a business trip and cut down on wrinkles.

6 Packing Tips

Follow these basic tips to pack efficiently and effectively for any trip.

1. The bigger your suitcase, the more you will put into it: The simplest way to avoid bringing too many things is to buy a hard-sided suitcase, no more than 22 inches tall (so it can work as a carry-on) with a structured shell so you can’t squeeze in any extras.

2. Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs. Throw in a swimsuit and exercise gear or a suit jacket and dress if you’ll need them.

3. Lay out what you think you’ll need, then edit ruthlessly: “Think twice about everything you want to put in your bag,” said Ben Nickel-D’Andrea, who writes about flying first-class with his husband, Jon Nickel-D’Andrea, at , part of the BoardingArea blogger network. The jet-setting couple once flew to Morocco for nine days with only carry-on bags and backpacks. “Fully get rid of the ‘just in case I need it’ category,” he said. “If and when you need it, you can buy it.”

4. Think Tetris: The best way to fit everything into one bag: Fill every inch of space. For example, footwear should be stuffed with socks. Then lay your shoes together heel to toe at the bottom of your suitcase in a plastic shopping bag to protect clothes from dirt.How exactly you arrange everything in your suitcase is a matter of personal preference.Here are some popular strategies:

• Roll your clothes. This helps to maximize space and minimize wrinkles.
• Use packing cubes. These smaller bags help you keep your clothes compact and your outfits ordered.
• Try the . Carefully , with underwear and T-shirts at the center, and large tailored items like blazers and dresses as the outer layer.

5. Keep liquids in easy reach: “Toiletries should always be placed on top of your suitcase in a clear bag since you never know when T.S.A. might be interested in looking,” said Matthew Klint, a frequent flier and the award expert at .

6. Never unpack your toiletries: “I recommend keeping a separate toiletry kit for traveling,” said Marie Kondo, author of “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.” Keeping a set of bathroom products already packed also ensures that you don’t forget a toothbrush or contact lens case that you might use the morning of takeoff, she said. “Keep these items in a small pouch or box in the corner of a cabinet or drawer for easy access when packing for a trip.” To streamline what you need, consider all-in-one options like BB creams, which combine foundation, moisturizer and sunblock. To prevent leakage, double up that plastic bag.

For more on packing strategies, read ” ”

The Best Toiletry Bag

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Wallaby Small

This bag’s large hook and simple, effective interior organization make it particularly easy to pack, hang and access a week’s worth of toiletries.

Moew Wirecutter toiletry bag picks. Right Arrow Icon

No baggage fees. No lost luggage. Just you flying through the airport with the greatest of ease.

Stick to this no-fail formula for a week-long trip: Pack one dress, six tops, three bottoms, two bras (nude and black), two work-out outfits, nine pairs of underwear and socks, and a set of pajamas, says Hitha Palepu, founder of the travel blog Hitha on the Go and author of How to Pack. Opt for clothing made of fabrics that are less likely to rumple, like ponte, stretch denim, and polyester blends. Choose two pairs of shoes—three, max. For most locales, you’ll be fine with sneakers, heels, and sandals or flats.

Start thinking about specific garments a week before you depart to sidestep snafus. “This will give you plenty of time to do laundry, collect dry cleaning, and make sure everything is in good condition. Plus, you’ll be able to plan out your mixing and matching,” says Palepu. Wear your bulkiest items—jeans, sneakers, and a jacket, say—on the plane. Download Palepu’s packing list at

There are four main types to consider: international (about 22 inches tall), domestic (between about 21 and 23 inches tall), hard case (strong yet rigid), and soft case (expandable but heavy). If you often fly out of the country and hardly ever check your bag, opt for a hard case that fits international size limitations (consult the airline for specifics). If you tend to overpack or shop during your trip, and if you don’t mind occasionally checking your bag, choose a soft case up to 23 inches tall.

“The right personal bag is key, as it can help you conserve space in your carry-on and have all your travel essentials within arm’s reach,” says Palepu. Go for a zippered tote or backpack with room for a laptop, book, and souvenirs. “A bag that’s 9-by-10-by-17 inches or smaller will meet nearly all airlines’ requirements,” she says. Your personal bag is also a good place to keep travel-size liquid toiletries (placed in a resealable, quart-size clear bag, per TSA rules) for easy access when going through security.

To roll or to fold? Palepu has the answer: “I roll my bottoms and fold my tops—I find my clothes end up with fewer wrinkles and I can fit more in my bag.” Use a packing cube, adds Kristin Addis, founder of the blog Be My Travel Muse. She likes the large (10-by-14-by-3-inch) cube from the Eagle Creek Pack It Cube Set ($22; amazon.com). “You can add more than you expect because the cube compresses everything,” she says.

Stow each pair of shoes in a shoe bag (so the soles won’t dirty your clothes) and pack them first, at the bottom of the case. Place the packing cube next. Finally, cram compact items—swimsuits, underwear, socks—into empty corners or even inside your shoes. Include a laundry bag with a few dryer sheets stashed inside to bring dirty clothes home.

Packing for Europe can be quite the process. Last year I hopped on a jet plane headed to Prague to visit my baby sister. I was flying alone and on one of the economy airlines, which charges an arm and a leg for luggage. Thus, I had to trim down my packing list to one single carry on. The goal for our Packing List for Europe…20 outfits in just a single carry on.

Packing for 10 days in Europe in only a small carry on. Can you do it? I did and here is how…

First I went pin crazy. I am terrible at putting together capsule wardrobes so I go straight to the experts and copy them. You will see my favorite inspiration in the three capsule packing lists below!

Choosing Your Capsule Packing List

10 Perfectly Edgy Outfits for the Trendsetter:

I love the way she paired casual and trendy by swapping in accessories. You can make great use of the same items by creating capsules. Like the one you see below!

You will need a couple of pairs of jeans, a few different tops, and some accessories. You’ll definitely need this cute fedora, these black vans, this cute black Panama hat, and these rockin’ boots in order to make these outfits work.

**BONUS** All the ones I linked are super cute and I found pieces with the BEST prices too.

Shop These Looks (Similar + Cheaper!)-

10 Comfortable & Cute Outfits:

While I do love the edgy outfits above, the capsule below best represents what I packed for Europe. The only difference is that I leave my wedges at home. I have found the cobblestone is not very forgiving to a woman in heels. You can find most of these items below. But a few of my MUST HAVES include this cute black Maxi, these comfy faux leather pants, these super cute gladiator sandals, and these fun flats.

Shop These Looks (Similar + Cheaper!)-

Capsule Style Packing List for Europe in the Summer:

We were only in Rome for a short jaunt, but this list gave me some great inspiration for warm weather clothing. When we were in Rome the weather was pretty hot, just like it was for our Mediterranean Cruise. These outfits were ideal. These boyfriend jeans are my FAV (and they’re on SALE). This dress I own in multiple colors and just throw in my purse when using it as a bathing suit cover, and you definitely should own a pair of these sandals (I have had mine for 4 years and they are still like new).

Shop These Looks (Similar + Cheaper!)-

What To Do Once You’ve Decided on Your Capsule Looks

Pretty awesome right. Like they say, “why re-invent the wheel.” Go a little pin crazy. After you have found your inspiration follow these easy steps:

1. Scour your closet- you will be shocked by how much is in there I promise.
2. Purchase needed items- head to Nordstrom’s Rack, H&M or Target to pick up any items you still need while on a budget.
3. Have a Fashion Show- try on everything. Find as many combinations you can make out of the least amount of pieces.
4. Lay everything out- then 24 hours later go through and take out anything you feel you don’t REALLY need. Be really strict with yourself here, less IS more.
5. Then pack.

Don’t Forget THIS Must-Have Item- a Portable Charger

Not just any portable charger but specifically this one- the MyCharge Portable Charger Power Bank. I have tested tons of portable chargers throughout my travels and this one is by far my favorite. Not only does it charge incredibly fast (up to 75% faster to be exact), but it also has two charging cables attached so you don’t need to attach any additional cords. And, the MyCharge charges directly in the wall making it so much more effective than any other portable charger I have used. Grab one on Amazon (it’s prime) here.

5 Things Not to Forget!

1. Travel Pillow – It’s a long flight from the States, you want to get some sleep on the plane. Pack a nice travel pillow. Some attach to the outside of your bag like the one I use here.

2. Wrinkle Release Spray – In Europe, you are often on the go which means irons are not always handy. Grab a little wrinkle release spray to spritz on your clothes and you will be traveling through Europe wrinkle free.

3. Fanny Pack – Not the ones your mom used to wear; the cute trendy ones. This will be a nice safe spot to hold your cash and passport.

4. Comfortable shoes – Europe is about walking….a lot of walking. Without comfortable shoes, say goodbye to a good time

5. Melatonin – Melatonin is a must in my international packing. Getting used to a time change is so much easier when you have a little sleep aid. Melatonin is all natural, so you shouldn’t have any lingering sleep issues after taking it. We love this brand here.

Here is a quick video that talks about my Favorite Packing Hacks:

Using the above methods I successfully packed my entire wardrobe in my carry on suitcase.

I filled my backpack with my laptop, camera, chargers, universal adapter, passport, copies of all my travel reservations and my cross body travel purse. And, now I am good to go!!

The good news: You’re spending a week at a conference or in your company’s office in another city. The bad news: Your employer is paying for the flight—but checked bag fees? Not so much. And trying to cram a week’s worth of outfits into your carry-on is not exactly going well.

Well, we at The Daily Muse have endured more business trips than we’d care to remember, and we’ve got the packing challenge down to a T. Here’s our no-fail, carry-on size packing list: just eight pieces plus three pairs of shoes, and how to make it work all week long.

Your Packing List

1 classic black dress in a no-wrinkle material like knit or stretch wool, like this shift “Betty” dress from Theory.

1 patterned wrap dress. Yes, you can use this as your excuse to buy a DVF wrap dress, but I also love this more wallet-friendly option from Jack and Ginger.

1 knee-grazing skirt in a neutral color and your favorite fit, like pencil, A-line, or tulip.

2 short-sleeved blouses or tanks. Your tops will be the key to mixing up your look, so make two totally opposite selections, like a graphic print and a bright solid.

2 not-too-businessy, not-too-casual blazers, one in a neutral like black, white, or grey, and one in something colorful.

2 pairs of tall-but-comfortable heels. Take one pair of black, and one in another neutral, like nude or brown.

1 pair of super-comfy flats. These are essential for commuting (and running through the airport!) but should look professional enough if you need to wear them around the office.

As many accessories as you can reasonably fit. Belts, scarves, and statement jewelry will help pull your looks together and make it look like you brought far more outfits than you really did.

Winter additions: If you’re traveling in the colder months, swap heels for knee-high boots, bring three pairs of knit tights, and wear the heaviest work-appropriate jacket you own on the plane.

Your Looks

Monday

Start the week off with a classic look: a bold-colored, solid tank with a neutral blazer and skirt. Then, make it your own with accessories, like a multi-strand necklace or this funky ikat bracelet. Heels feel like too much after sleeping on the plane all night? Throw on your flats, which will look perfectly professional paired with the rest of the pieces.

Tuesday

After you’ve slept off the jet lag, kick things up a notch with this fun, feminine look. Start with your black dress, then throw on the bold blazer, a pretty ruffled scarf, and plenty of jewelry. Neutral pumps keep the look light and airy, while still completely office-ready.

Wednesday

Bust out your patterned dress in the middle of the week, since it’s the only piece you won’t be mix-and-matching. All you need to complete the look is your black pumps and a single piece of standout jewelry.

Thursday

The black dress you donned on Tuesday will look completely different when it’s paired with another blazer and a big, bright necklace. If you have a day of meetings, wear black pumps, and if you’re running around town, throw on your flats.

Friday

When Friday, comes, have some fun with a graphic tank, your bold blazer, and black-and-gold accessories like a chunky belt and bracelets. When paired with your pencil skirt, it’s all totally work-appropriate.

Friday Night

Headed out after work? Ditch the blazer and add great jeans, statement jewelry, and a clutch, and your graphic top becomes instantly evening-ready.

Saturday

If you’re planning on a day of shopping or brunching, throw on your jeans, the solid tank from Monday, and flats. If it’s a chilly, just throw on the scarf or a blazer.

By Christy Woodrow , Last Modified: October 27, 2019

Packing light for carry-on only is an incredibly liberating habit to get into. Doing so will not only allow you to avoid those nasty checked-baggage fees, it will also save you precious minutes at the baggage carousel and give you peace of mind knowing where your belongings are at all times.

While the decision to ditch the checked bag has many benefits, it also requires sacrifice and a fair bit of planning.

Packing for carry-on only begins with choosing the right bag. First, check your airline’s website for size restrictions, and then choose a bag that complies. We have used this one by Nicole Miller and, given its two separate sides, found it great for organizing. Plus, the spinner wheels are a must-have when trying to maneuver airports and train stations!

Cut down on space and weight by bringing articles of clothing that can be used for more than one purpose. For example, bring a colorful pashmina that can act as a sarong, scarf, light blanket, cover-up, or privacy curtain.

Another versatility tip is to color coordinate your clothing. Keeping every item of clothing in your bag in the same general hue will give you more outfit choices than packing clothing from every color of the rainbow. I tend to bring signature pieces — such as jeans and shirts — in black or grey and dress up my outfits with colorful scarves and accessories like this turquoise bracelet.

Sorting your belongings into packing cubes is truly the best way to organize your bag. With packing cubes, if you’re in transit and are in need of something at the bottom of your luggage, you don’t need to take every item out and turn your packing job into chaos in the process! We’ve been using them for smaller items on our travels for years!

Space is everything when packing for carry-on only, even the space in your footwear! Make sure to fill every last nook and cranny of your larger shoes or boots with clothes.

Likewise if you’re a hat wearer, filling the crown of your hats with clothes not only saves space, it’ll help your hats maintain their shape!

Rather than folding them, rolling your clothes will optimize the space in your bag and help keep them wrinkle-free. Additionally, as with packing cubes, the rolling method will make things easy to find without having to unpack your entire bag!

If you’re going to be away from home for more days than you have outfits, plan on doing a load of laundry at your destination. Check and see if your accommodation has washers or a pick up and delivery laundry service, or simply map the nearest laundromat!

We’ve all played the ‘what if’ game when packing. “What if it rains the whole time?” “What if I end up needing five different pairs of shoes for five unidentified, yet, specific activities?”

While such concerns can be tended to with a larger checked bag when packing light for carry-on, it’s best to remove the what-ifs and focus on the items you know you’ll actually need.

There’s no rule that says you have to take everything you’ll need with you! If you know you’ll be able to purchase items such as deodorant, toothpaste, or in the case of rain, a travel umbrella at your destination, then do so!

This is an especially good tip if your packing routine includes liquids. Given airline restrictions on the amount of liquids allowed in the cabin, it can definitely pay to bring only the bare necessities on the flight, and then pick up products such as shampoo and conditioner, body wash, and contact solution at your destination.

How To Pack A Suitcase for A Week In a Carry-On.

Ever notice how when you pack a regular suitcase you typically end up wearing a fraction of what you packed, or least realized you could have taken fewer clothes?

I used to do that myself, but for the last two years I have been fortunate enough to travel to Europe for a week, and I challenged myself to only take a carry-on suitcase.

One year it was a trip to Dublin, Ireland and this year to London, England. Both destinations required layers as their weather changes drastically within a few hours, and you never know if it will rain. I was determined to not check a bag, and deal with fees, lines, potential lost luggage, and definitely lost time at the baggage claim area.

So here is part 1 of how to pack a suitcase for a week:

Get a good and sturdy carry-on suitcase with 360º wheels so it can easily be maneuvered thru the airport.

Next, I planned what to bring with 3 things in mind: Can I wear each piece at least 2 different ways, is it lightweight and can I wash it by hand in my hotel room.

Below is everything I chose to bring and actually wore during my fabulous week in London.

I am now offering virtual consultations for those that are too far away or are not yet ready to work one to one with me.
It’s only for you if you finally want to know what to wear.

Copyright © Scarlett Image™., All Rights Reserved

Cesar and I leave for China tomorrow and we are so thrilled! We decided early on that we would pack for our entire two week trip in a carry on and a backpack each. We like to travel light and have learned from years of consulting that checking a bag isn’t an option. As a self-proclaimed “fashionista” and two very different climates, I knew this was going to be a challenge.

We are visiting four cities: Seoul (during a layover), Macau, Hong Kong, and Beijing. Beijing will be chilly during the day and colder at nights, and the others will be hot and humid throughout.

When I start packing I always start with the smaller items: underwear (I always bring at least one per day. the idea of rewashing underwear never appealed), socks, tank tops, and bathing suits.

I then move on to tops. I brought 4 colorful, light tank tops that could be mixed and matched over dresses, with skirts or over jeans. I tend to stick with solids so that they can easily be rotated between bottoms.

Finally, I moved on to dresses. I knew I wanted to bring my ASOS floral dress from this post. It is amazingly lightweight and a great piece for all-day walking. My Club Monaco maxi dress is so comfortable and good for cooler days. I also brought the J.Crew skirt from this post.

Finally, I moved on to long sleeve tops. I always bring one lightweight sweater (similar) for layering and decided to add one lightweight blouse for Beijing days.

Shoes were the hardest for me to narrow down. I knew I had to sacrifice style and take my tennis shoes. “Cute” walking shoes just don’t cut it for me when it comes to all-day walking, so these were a must. I brought my Tieks for a bit more fashion and sandals for Macau pool days.

This is everything laid out, excluding two pairs of jeans: my JBrand high waist skinnies and my BDG black skinnies. You’ll notice I didn’t pack any shorts. While I love the idea of shorts, I hate how they look on me and find them terribly uncomfortable, so I left them out. Finally, I brought one piece of costume jewelry that matches everything: this Sole Society necklace.

One last note: these packing cubes are life savers. Really the greatest way to pack and keep organized!

Wish us luck on our flight! Communication might be a bit delayed for the next few weeks but posts will go up regularly.

Not to brag or anything, but I’ve traveled a lot. I’ve been to Europe and back multiple times, and I’m fairly comfortable with navigating airports and train stations that have signs in other languages. I’ve gone on the dreamy excursions like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea and hiking in the national parks of Croatia that remain on many travelers’ bucket lists. With every experience, I become more inspired by and passionate about the world and the beautiful places in it. In addition, I find that one part of traveling continues to be an adventure: packing. My latest trip taught me how to pack for a week in Florida using only a carry-on bag, and now I’m here to pass that lesson onto you.

TBH, I didn’t think I would be able to do it. I was supposed to squeeze seven days of essentials like tropical-printed clothes, my digital camera, and a jar of coconut oil into a backpack and a duffle bag? Yeah, OK. Keep dreaming, Marisa. The night before my boyfriend and I headed to the airport, I stood over my piles of shoes and beachy accessories and thought, “It’s not possible,” especially for a classic over-packer like me.

To my pleasant surprise, though, everything fit. The sandals I just bought, the curling iron I wasn’t sure was #necessary, and the extra bottles of shampoo and conditioner I wanted to pack “just in case” all had a place. It was all organized, so I knew where to find each outfit or bathing suit when it came time to take a dip in the pool. (I even had some room for the chips and fruit snacks that I inevitably bought at the airport.)

I was beyond proud of myself, and felt so stress-free about my suitcase situation as we jet-setted on our little vacation. Now, I think it’s time to send those good vibes, tides, and packing tricks your way. You can enjoy your week in Florida and live your dreamiest life out of a carry-on bag, too — trust me.

Here’s how to pack for a week in Florida using only a carry-on bag.

The key to packing everything you need for a week in a carry-on bag is this: Know yourself. Be mindful of the items in your closet you love, and the ones you realistically won’t wear. When you’re making piles and debating your “must-haves,” challenge yourself to answer questions like, “Do I normally wear this,” “Did I buy this specifically for this trip,” and, “Is this item comfortable?” More often than not, I’ve found that if I don’t wear a piece at home, I won’t wear it on a trip.

Then, take into consideration what products you can’t live without, and which ones you can pick up at the store once you arrive. The perk of traveling to a destination like Florida, as opposed to a city or somewhere in another country, is that you can likely find your go-to sunscreens and hair products there. You can make a quick stop after getting picked up from the airport, and then be on your merry way to your hotel or other accommodations.

Finding products that can be used in multiple ways can also free up a lot of space in your carry-on bag. For example, I didn’t pack my lotion and used my coconut oil as a moisturizer after chilling near the pool instead. I left my bottle of shaving cream behind, too, and opted for the razor blades that have it built-in.

Last but not least, face the facts: Soaking up the sun in Florida doesn’t require heavy sweaters, bulky boots, or anything that isn’t meant for summer. Your bag is likely going to be filled with bathing suits, sunnies, and a good book for the beach, which are super lightweight and easy to condense into a duffle or cute tote. That alone makes a huge difference, and can keep you from saying, “Ugh, I think I need to check a bag.”

I left behind anything that wasn’t comfortable, practical, or needed for an Instagram picture.

For me, eliminating the anticipatory stress and, “What if?” scenarios going through my head was key, too. It made me feel like I didn’t need to overpack, and like the items I was bringing had a true purpose. Once I answered those tough questions, the piles I laid out were much smaller and only consisted of pieces that were going to be comfortable for walking around the restaurants and ice cream shops in Sarasota and Venice, and practical in the Southern heat.

The Instagram pictures I wanted to take were also accounted for, which made me feel more ready for a week of rest and relaxation than ever before. I wasn’t constantly wondering, “Do I have something to wear for dinner later?” or, “Will these accessories match with that black jumpsuit?” I had it all figured out and didn’t have to track down my bag at baggage claim. Long story short: It was freeing.

I was able to lay amongst the palm trees, savor plates of penne a la vodka, and happily pose with the saltwater for social media. I was able to enjoy a veggie burger, a bunch of sweet family events, and a beautiful view of the ocean, without a worry in the world. The packing lesson was and is to outfit plan, try on your vacation looks, and imagine situations in your head. That’ll keep you from upgrading to a checked bag, feeling disorganized, or struggling with your zipper at the last-minute.

What packing tips and tricks should you know, so you only use a carry-on bag on your next trip?

Do you feel confident you can spend a week in Florida using only a carry-on bag? I sure hope so. But if you’re still feeling a little uneasy, let me give you a few more packing tips and tricks.

First, roll whatever shirts, dresses, tank tops, and cover-ups you decide to bring. Jeans should be laid flat, and sweatshirts should be folded in half. Use a couple of packing cubes or vacuum-sealed bags to organize your items as well. That way, you’re making the most of the little space you do have.

Second, embrace the space in your backpack — aka, your personal item you’ll also bring on the plane — and leave behind the electronics that won’t help you disconnect and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. Living your dreamiest life in Florida with only a carry-on bag and your significant other is possible. You just have to face the inner over-packer in you and follow these little pieces of advice.

Packing carry-on only is a basically a superpower. You can avoid pesky airport scenarios like losing your luggage, being charged an overweight fee for checked baggage and lugging around a heavy bag all day. Plus, you can also get a little extra sleep or time in your destination as you don’t have to rush to the airport to make the luggage check-in time.

I recently discovered how amazing it is just to travel carry-on only. In the past two years, I have done three week-long trips to New York, a week-long trip to Quebec City and a two-week trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, during which I attended a wedding as the maid of honour – ALL by carry-on only. So naturally, when I was packing for my four-day trip to Vienna, Austria, carry-on only was a no-brainer.

Leading up to my trip to Vienna, a British luggage company called Cabin Zero reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try one of their 44L back packs. (Mine is in the colour Karma Blue.) Needless to say, Cabin Zero’s features peaked my interest! It fits most major airlines’ carry-on restrictions, it has global tracking and you can use TSA-approved locks on the zippers. Plus it comes with a 25-year warranty if you like them on Facebook. They were also so kind and sent me three packing cubes, which definitely helped keep my toiletries and clothes in order during my trip!

So today, I thought I’d share a video of what I brought along for my four-day weekend getaway to Vienna!

Click here if you want to shop Cabin Zero for your own backpack or packing cubes! You can find a 10 per cent discount code on my YouTube and Instagram, which expires on May 23, 2017.

For a full list of what I brought along with me (from the video, plus a couple items I forgot to include), pin this post using the social media buttons on the left. (If you’re on mobile, they’ll be at the bottom.)

Like it? Pin it!

What are your carry-on only packing tips? How long can you get away with packing carry-on only?

Let me know what you think about my first ever YouTube video in the comments below! Be sure to join me for all my travel adventures, tips and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

If you enjoyed this post, please share it on your favourite social media platform(s) using the buttons on the left. (If you’re on mobile, they’ll be at the bottom.)

To read more posts about packing, click here. Thanks for reading!

** Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a referral commission from these products at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love myself. And I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Your support in purchasing through these links enables me to maintain and update my blog, and finance future trips. Thank you!

Packing carry-on only is a basically a superpower. You can avoid pesky airport scenarios like losing your luggage, being charged an overweight fee for checked baggage and lugging around a heavy bag all day. Plus, you can also get a little extra sleep or time in your destination as you don’t have to rush to the airport to make the luggage check-in time.

I recently discovered how amazing it is just to travel carry-on only. In the past two years, I have done three week-long trips to New York, a week-long trip to Quebec City and a two-week trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, during which I attended a wedding as the maid of honour – ALL by carry-on only. So naturally, when I was packing for my four-day trip to Vienna, Austria, carry-on only was a no-brainer.

Leading up to my trip to Vienna, a British luggage company called Cabin Zero reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try one of their 44L back packs. (Mine is in the colour Karma Blue.) Needless to say, Cabin Zero’s features peaked my interest! It fits most major airlines’ carry-on restrictions, it has global tracking and you can use TSA-approved locks on the zippers. Plus it comes with a 25-year warranty if you like them on Facebook. They were also so kind and sent me three packing cubes, which definitely helped keep my toiletries and clothes in order during my trip!

So today, I thought I’d share a video of what I brought along for my four-day weekend getaway to Vienna!

Click here if you want to shop Cabin Zero for your own backpack or packing cubes! You can find a 10 per cent discount code on my YouTube and Instagram, which expires on May 23, 2017.

For a full list of what I brought along with me (from the video, plus a couple items I forgot to include), pin this post using the social media buttons on the left. (If you’re on mobile, they’ll be at the bottom.)

Like it? Pin it!

What are your carry-on only packing tips? How long can you get away with packing carry-on only?

Let me know what you think about my first ever YouTube video in the comments below! Be sure to join me for all my travel adventures, tips and recipes on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram!

If you enjoyed this post, please share it on your favourite social media platform(s) using the buttons on the left. (If you’re on mobile, they’ll be at the bottom.)

To read more posts about packing, click here. Thanks for reading!

** Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a referral commission from these products at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love myself. And I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Your support in purchasing through these links enables me to maintain and update my blog, and finance future trips. Thank you!

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Is four pair of undies for a week-long holiday enough?

According to travel bloggers Mark and Mim, it is.

After three years travelling around the world, the Melbourne couple know a thing or two about packing.

In light of airlines cracking down on carry-on luggage weight, we lured Mark and Mim into the ABC Life studio to share all their packing secrets.

How you pack your items is important, but what you choose to take is the key to sneaking in under the 7-kilogram allowance.

We asked Mark and Mim to pack us up for a week-long trip “somewhere sunny”, but they said anything shared here can be stretched out for a longer trip.

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Compartmentalise and roll

Mim and Mark’s number one tip is to use multiple satchels to separate clothing, shoes and toiletries within your bag or suitcase.

OTT packers share their tips

Airlines are cracking down on carry-on baggage allowance. But never fear, these hacks from frequent flyers will help you maximise space.

They also maximise space and allow you to keep everything compartmentalised for easy access.

“On top of that, we roll all of our clothes to save some extra space in the suitcase,” Mim says.

Clothing (and underwear)

“We start with the four T-shirts and we have neutral colours,” Mark says.

“We have a pair of pyjamas and some workout gear if you’re feeling like you might need that,” Mim says.

“[Pack] a pair of bathers and some underwear as well — generally about four pairs and you can wash them as you go.

“A jumper for those chilly evenings, and we also have a dress for those just-in-case moments.”

For our bottom-half, Mark and Mim recommend one pair of jeans and one pair of shorts — sticking with the neutral theme, so navy, denim and black.

If you want to pack for all weather, you’ll likely want to take a jacket.

Wear that on the plane, and if you need two, “wear both of them”.

“You might look a bit silly, but it saves you packing it into your luggage,” Mark says.

Shoes

A pair of versatile sneakers “that look nice” and slides is generally enough to get you through a week, recommends Mark.

Stricter carry-on luggage limits

Australia’s airlines have announced they’re going to be stricter about carry-on luggage — in particular, how much it weighs.

“If you think you want to go hiking or do something more, you can wear your hiking boots or high heels on the plane,” he says.

“It saves you packing them — they generally weigh a little bit more than normal shoes.”

The couple also pop their shoes in a satchel to save space and keep them separated.

“We don’t want any mud coming back with us,” Mim says.

Toiletries

Because toiletries and make-up can weigh so much, Mim recommends keeping them to a minimum.

“A couple of powders, one brush maybe, a small eye shadow palette and you’re set,” she says. “You don’t need to bring your whole make-up case with you.”

How to have a better flight

Looking forward to your holiday, but dreading the journey? Some people who are travelling all the time say there are things you can do to make it a little easier.

The couple are huge fans of soap and shampoo bars. They take up less space and are kinder to the environment as you’re cutting down on plastic bottles.

“[They] really help in reducing the amount of size and weight within your bag,” Mark says.

“[It] also helps with going through security as you don’t need to take them out and put them through.”

Liquids and documents

Make sure liquids and documents are within easy reach inside your carry-on.

“We’ve got a foundation and lip balm [for example] … these go in the front so that as you’re going through security, you can just pull them out,” Mim says.

Important documents go inside the front zip so they are “nice and safe but still easily accessible”.

When I found myself between jobs, I decided to fulfill my longtime desire to travel in my twenties. I planned a four-month trip across three different continents — and before I left, I was asked an obvious question.

“Backpacking?” My friends and family, excited about my big adventure, were curious.

“Not really,” I replied sheepishly. “I’m carry-on-ing.”

I didn’t arrive at this luggage choice after some long, grueling brainstorm session, nor did I make a Venn diagram weighing pros and cons. It just made sense.

The idea of stuffing all of my clothes into a freeform backpack was completely unattractive to me. The idea of bearing the weight of all my belongings on my back seemed even worse. I would be flying every other day, so the thought of checking a suitcase seemed like an inconceivable waste of time. I was left with a single option: I would pack everything I needed for four months in a carry-on.

Here’s how I did it.

What I Packed

Whether you’re backpacking or carry-on-ing, you have to understand that you’ll be doing laundry along the way. Once you research the climates of your destinations, it’s fairly easy to figure out what you’ll need. For me, there was a lot of variation: I knew that it would be chilly fall weather in Amsterdam, very hot and humid in Southeast Asia, summery in Australia, and crisp spring in New Zealand.

That meant one pair of jeans (high-waisted, light-wash from Madewell that go with everything); four pairs of workout leggings; one pair of jean shorts; one denim skirt; a handful of light tops; a couple long-sleeve tees; a few cotton dresses; one sweater; one windbreaker; two bathing suits; and two week’s worth of undies and socks. I will tell you right now that my undies math was off. If you’re washing your clothes at least once a week, half of your fourteen pairs of underwear will go untouched.

I did my best to pack articles of clothing that would be easy to mix and match, which is pretty seamless to do when your wardrobe, like mine, consists solely of black, grey, white, and denim. My other prerequisite was to include as many outfits as possible that did not require a bra, an article that somehow becomes even more uncomfortable when you’ve been on the road for months (plus, I wanted to take advantage of the freedom of life outside the office). For shoes, I narrowed it down to a pair of white leather Tretorn sneakers for walking, my running shoes, one pair of black leather sandals, and waterproof flip flops.

My small, green Fjallraven Kanken backpack functioned as a drug store — one that my mother had stocked with every conceivable over-the-counter medicine she feared wouldn’t be available in Chiang Mai. In terms of liquids, I brought a handful of shampoo and body wash samples, but resolved to mostly rely on what hotels, Airbnbs, and hostels would provide. I could buy anything I needed along the way — turns out, every country has conditioner.

In the entertainment and technology department, I had my phone, Kindle, journal, headphones, and an adapter for every country I’d be visiting.

Cesar and I leave for China tomorrow and we are so thrilled! We decided early on that we would pack for our entire two week trip in a carry on and a backpack each. We like to travel light and have learned from years of consulting that checking a bag isn’t an option. As a self-proclaimed “fashionista” and two very different climates, I knew this was going to be a challenge.

We are visiting four cities: Seoul (during a layover), Macau, Hong Kong, and Beijing. Beijing will be chilly during the day and colder at nights, and the others will be hot and humid throughout.

When I start packing I always start with the smaller items: underwear (I always bring at least one per day. the idea of rewashing underwear never appealed), socks, tank tops, and bathing suits.

I then move on to tops. I brought 4 colorful, light tank tops that could be mixed and matched over dresses, with skirts or over jeans. I tend to stick with solids so that they can easily be rotated between bottoms.

Finally, I moved on to dresses. I knew I wanted to bring my ASOS floral dress from this post. It is amazingly lightweight and a great piece for all-day walking. My Club Monaco maxi dress is so comfortable and good for cooler days. I also brought the J.Crew skirt from this post.

Finally, I moved on to long sleeve tops. I always bring one lightweight sweater (similar) for layering and decided to add one lightweight blouse for Beijing days.

Shoes were the hardest for me to narrow down. I knew I had to sacrifice style and take my tennis shoes. “Cute” walking shoes just don’t cut it for me when it comes to all-day walking, so these were a must. I brought my Tieks for a bit more fashion and sandals for Macau pool days.

This is everything laid out, excluding two pairs of jeans: my JBrand high waist skinnies and my BDG black skinnies. You’ll notice I didn’t pack any shorts. While I love the idea of shorts, I hate how they look on me and find them terribly uncomfortable, so I left them out. Finally, I brought one piece of costume jewelry that matches everything: this Sole Society necklace.

One last note: these packing cubes are life savers. Really the greatest way to pack and keep organized!

Wish us luck on our flight! Communication might be a bit delayed for the next few weeks but posts will go up regularly.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage. All opinions are 100% mine.

Packing Tips: See how I pack 5 days of clothes in one carry-on bag!

Atlantic Luggage sent me this great carry-on bag and asked me to pack as much as I can for our upcoming trip to visit family. This little bag has great features:

*It weighs only 6.5 pounds (which means I can pack more for airline flights before reaching the 50 lb limit!).

*It has a retractable handle and wheels so I don’t have to carry all 50 pounds of stuff.

*It has additional handles (with a velcro closure) so that I can use it as a duffle bag if I want.

*It has multiple zipper compartments so I can easily find things like my cell phone or laptop charger.

So let’s get started with the packing tips:

Start with your shoes in the bottom of the suitcase (you can place them in plastic shopping bags or zipper bags if you wish).

Roll socks, hose and other undergarments and tuck inside your shoes. I always take a pair of cheap flip flops to use in the bathroom and shower if we are staying in a hotel. They’re also great for going to the pool.

The bag that Atlantic Luggage sent me has a dividing flap that you can fold over to separate your shoes from your other clothing.

Fold your slacks in half (one leg over the other) and roll them from the legs up.

Place rolled jeans and slacks on top of your shoes.

Fold t-shirts into thirds before rolling up.

Roll and pack t-shirts and knit tops.

Next pack your jewelry roll and toiletry bag. (Click here for tips on packing jewelry.)

If you’re flying remember the 3-1-1 rule: All liquids must be in 3 ounce or less containers, and all liquids and gels must fit inside one quart size zipper bag. I keep my quart zipper bag in the outside zipper pocket of my carry on bag so it’s easy to remove during the security screening.

Fold dress shirts into thirds and pack on top.

All packed and ready to go!

You May Also Enjoy:

How to Pack Jewelry 10 Ideas for Roadtrips w/ Kids Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half!

What to pack for Florida for a week using just my carry on was a challenge and very time-consuming, but a total success. For my trip to Florida with my girlfriends, I opted to only bring a carry-on. I don’t like packing light, but I decided to take a leap of faith and just do it. I am so glad I did, because I packed just the right amount of outfits, and it was great to travel light. Next time you are packing for hot and humid Florida, check out my list below so you will not have to second guess your choices if you are bringing just a carry on luggage.

What To Pack For a Week In Florida Using Carry On

2 everyday dresses
2 pair of shorts
5 tops – Have a mix of t-shirts, tank tops and dressier tops for going out.
1 lightweight cardigan and/or 1 jean jacket– I brought both, but honestly the jean jacket would have been sufficient for the plane.
1 pair of sweatpants or leggings – I wore my skinny sweatpants on the plane and it was the best decision ever.
9 pairs of underwear – An underwear per day plus some extra ones just in case.
2 bras – I actually packed one bra, but in retrospect, I should have packed two. One nude, one strapless. You can also throw in a sports bra if you are planning on hiking/working out.
1 pair of flip flops for the beach
1 pair dressy/everyday sandals
1 pair walking shoes or sneakers – I brought a cheap pair of white sneakers I bought from Ardene for $15. I always bring a cheap pair of sneakers that I can just toss at the end of the trip. Especially after a full day at Disney, these sneakers were done. From being stepped on while waiting in line on rides, to getting wet while riding Splash Mountain, I had no regrets throwing these out after the end of our trip.
2 bathing suits
1 cover up for the beach
2 pairs of sunglasses
1 sun hat
1 pair of socks (I always bring a pair for the plane and for around the house, also if you bring sneakers these are a must)
2 purses – I brought my fave Barrington tote to travel with and a straw bag to have with me for everyday use that can easily transition into evening.

Bonus Tips For Travel Packing Using Your Carry-On

If you are looking for a cute weekender bag I highly recommend getting a customized Barrington Gifts Belmont Cabin Bag – Monogram Stripe. It is easy to carry and I get so many compliments on it. I opted for the banana leaf prints, and I customized it with seafoam trimming and of course my initials. I loved how it turned out and it also makes the perfect bag to get you in the mood for your tropical vacay. The detailing is beautiful, there is even a lovely leather address tag, and best part there is a shoulder strap as well if you do not want to carry the bag with your hands.

Use packing cubes to stay organized and maximize the space of your carry-on.
Wear your sunhat on the plane to avoid damage.

The weather in Florida is unpredictable. Throwing random clothes in your carry-on, just won’t cut it so think about the activities you have planned for your trip to Florida and accommodate your travel packing list accordingly. Don’t pack fancy items if you know you are going to be lounging by the pool the whole time, or forget to pack runners if you know you will have a long day at Disney.

What to pack for Florida for a week using just my carry on was a challenge and very time-consuming, but a total success. For my trip to Florida with my girlfriends, I opted to only bring a carry-on. I don’t like packing light, but I decided to take a leap of faith and just do it. I am so glad I did, because I packed just the right amount of outfits, and it was great to travel light. Next time you are packing for hot and humid Florida, check out my list below so you will not have to second guess your choices if you are bringing just a carry on luggage.

What To Pack For a Week In Florida Using Carry On

2 everyday dresses
2 pair of shorts
5 tops – Have a mix of t-shirts, tank tops and dressier tops for going out.
1 lightweight cardigan and/or 1 jean jacket– I brought both, but honestly the jean jacket would have been sufficient for the plane.
1 pair of sweatpants or leggings – I wore my skinny sweatpants on the plane and it was the best decision ever.
9 pairs of underwear – An underwear per day plus some extra ones just in case.
2 bras – I actually packed one bra, but in retrospect, I should have packed two. One nude, one strapless. You can also throw in a sports bra if you are planning on hiking/working out.
1 pair of flip flops for the beach
1 pair dressy/everyday sandals
1 pair walking shoes or sneakers – I brought a cheap pair of white sneakers I bought from Ardene for $15. I always bring a cheap pair of sneakers that I can just toss at the end of the trip. Especially after a full day at Disney, these sneakers were done. From being stepped on while waiting in line on rides, to getting wet while riding Splash Mountain, I had no regrets throwing these out after the end of our trip.
2 bathing suits
1 cover up for the beach
2 pairs of sunglasses
1 sun hat
1 pair of socks (I always bring a pair for the plane and for around the house, also if you bring sneakers these are a must)
2 purses – I brought my fave Barrington tote to travel with and a straw bag to have with me for everyday use that can easily transition into evening.

Bonus Tips For Travel Packing Using Your Carry-On

If you are looking for a cute weekender bag I highly recommend getting a customized Barrington Gifts Belmont Cabin Bag – Monogram Stripe. It is easy to carry and I get so many compliments on it. I opted for the banana leaf prints, and I customized it with seafoam trimming and of course my initials. I loved how it turned out and it also makes the perfect bag to get you in the mood for your tropical vacay. The detailing is beautiful, there is even a lovely leather address tag, and best part there is a shoulder strap as well if you do not want to carry the bag with your hands.

Use packing cubes to stay organized and maximize the space of your carry-on.
Wear your sunhat on the plane to avoid damage.

The weather in Florida is unpredictable. Throwing random clothes in your carry-on, just won’t cut it so think about the activities you have planned for your trip to Florida and accommodate your travel packing list accordingly. Don’t pack fancy items if you know you are going to be lounging by the pool the whole time, or forget to pack runners if you know you will have a long day at Disney.