Travel 101: How to Pack Light. You Can Do It!
I get it. You are going on a fantastic trip and you want to look cute for all of the posts you are going to make on the socials. What if I told you that you can pack for just about any length of trip in a carry-on sized bag and still look cute? Large suitcases are heavy and unwieldy. Do you really want to schlep it on and off trains, wheel it down a cobblestone street, and up and down staircases because there may not be an elevator or an escalator?
A defining “I am packing lighter next time” moment happened when I was traveling by train from Dresden to Prague. I had to heft my Away “Medium” bag that was packed to the gills up on an overhead shelf because there was nowhere else to store luggage. Getting it down without injuring myself or another passenger was also not fun. Never again, I told myself. As Rick Steves says “You’ll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags: ‘Every year I pack heavier.'” Can confirm. I have learned to simplify and it makes traveling so much easier!
My Gear
My suitcase of choice is the Away Bigger Carry-on (not sponsored). Note that this suitcase fits most airlines’ carry-on size restriction, but not all. There is a handy chart on the website showing which airlines will allow you to carry this size on the plane. Take these guidelines seriously. Non-US carriers are more strict about enforcing the rules than US-based airlines. I love Away’s warranty– if the suitcase is damaged they will repair or replace it. I can attest that they do, indeed, do this and the process is pain-free. My bag ended up with a dented corner. I sent them pictures, they sent me a new suitcase and a shipping label to send the old one back. How great is that?!
I have a 42L Cotopaxi backpack that has been awesome for more adventure-based trips to Thailand and Costa Rica.
My personal item is typically my Patagonia Black Hole 25L backpack (updated version of the one I have). It holds a ton, has been on planes at least twice-monthly with me for the last 8 years, and has worn very well. I have used it as a weekender bag, too. I also have the Away Everywhere bag that I take on business trips, but prefer the backpack for fun travel.
A Capsule Wardrobe Approach
Don’t bring outfits. Bring a cohesive selection of clothing that mixes and matches. There are loads of blogs out there on how to build a capsule wardrobe and different packing approaches like 5-4-3-2-1 (tops, bottoms, shoes, dresses, accessory set), 3-3-3 (tops, bottoms, shoes), etc. All of this can mix and match, no one-off things. I tend to fall into the 5-4-3-2-1 area. It gives me the best bang for my buck. I also bring a sweater and jacket that can pair well with everything. As far as jewelry goes, I wear pretty much the same stuff for my whole trip. Earrings, necklace, bracelets. I don’t wear rings because my fingers swell with lots of heat and walking around.
My favorite travel purses are my tan Marc Jacobs The Tote Bag in the small size and my black and gold Lululemon festival bag. Both pack well, are cross-body, hold a decent amount of stuff and don’t scream “I am a tourist!”
Other things to bring depending on your destination: a rain jacket, water shoes/Tevas, umbrella, swimsuit and cover-up, a packable puffy coat, a hat, travel towel (this can double as a picnic blanket), packable day pack
For my friends in bigger bodies, I get it. I am one of you. We are bigger, so our clothes are bigger and take up more room in our suitcases. We also don’t have as many options to shop abroad so I completely understand the feeling of wanting to make sure you have all the bases covered because sometimes just going out to buy something is not all that feasible. The struggle (and perimenopause weight gain) is real.
Laundry
Many things can be worn more than once even in hot, sweaty climates. Giving the garment a spritz of isopropyl alcohol or cheap vodka (this is an old theatre technique) and letting it air out will help keep things fresh longer, but you’re going to need to wash your undies and everything else at some point. There are several options. Pick what works best for you.
Option 1– Sending it out from the hotel. This is by far the most convenient but also the most expensive by a long-shot.
Option 2– A laundromat. Lots of laundromat machines are really fast. I washed and dried in less than an hour in Thailand. Many laundromats also offer a wash and fold service, so you can drop off in the morning and pick it up later that day or the next day. Some even have pick up and drop off service. Typically the laundromat route is not expensive and is my preferred option.
Option 3– The sink or bathtub. This is the most economical choice, but can be messy and garments can take a long time to dry since there is no “spin” cycle. If you’re going to do this get some laundry sheets and cut them in half or quarters, but them between wax paper in a ziplock bag. Bonus- your suitcase will smell laundry-fresh! I usually carry a sheet with me just in case.
Shoes
Shoes take up so much room in your luggage, so be wise in what you select. Do not bring a pair you will only wear once or twice. I take two pairs, maaaaybe three. I want a pair of stylish sneakers that are comfortable enough that my dogs aren’t barking too loudly after 15-20,000 steps. I bring nicer-looking shoes to dress up an outfit that are also comfortable to walk in- so flats. No heels. Maybe a wedge. Maybe. Heels and cobblestones are a bad combination. Sometimes I also throw in a thin pair of sandals if I am someplace particularly warm (not flip-flops- those are only for the beach). Your feet will thank you for having a couple of options. It feels good to change into a different pair of shoes for the evening. Also, not shoe-related, but rolling your feet out with a lacrosse ball feels so awesome after a long day of walking. Pro tip: Put it in the fridge if you have one in your hotel room. Bliss!
Toiletries
These can get out of control quickly. If you are carrying on, remember that everything has to follow the 3-1-1 rule and must be in a clear bag. Some airports are more picky about this than others. London-Heathrow is notoriously picky and sometimes insist you have your liquids in their provided bag. When I flew out of Medellin, Colombia they didn’t care that I had a full-size sunscreen in my bag. Best not to take your chances though. I suggest paring down your beauty routine to the basics and also, if it is an option, taking trip to the drug store when you are at your destination. I do this for facial sunscreen, especially. One of the filters in US sunscreens makes my eyes burn like mad, but the European sunscreens have superior formulations, don’t burn my eyes, or feel nearly as gross on my skin.
I decant my shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion into these silicone bottles or buy travel-size bottles at my destination.
My skincare routine at home is simple, so that translates well to travel. Face wash, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen when needed. Thassit. I find I wear less makeup when I am traveling. My favorite items to pack are a foundation stick, a cream blush, mascara, an eyebrow pencil, and lipstick. Maybe a bronzer, powder, and eyeliner. What can you do without?
“Just In Case”
Nothing will fill your bag quicker than all of the little things you want to throw in “just in case.” I joke that the larger the purse I carry with me the more crap I am tempted to fill it with. For travel, I have a small makeup bag with a few doses of essential medications like pain killers, anti-diarrhea pils, an antihistamine, pseudoephedrine, etc. I also have a few bandaids and feminine hygiene products. I take just enough to get by until I can go to a local drug store if I need more. Your “just in case” things that you will likely not need are probably available at your destination. Save yourself the room. We are packing in a carry-on size suitcase, remember?
To check or not to check?
It’s up to you and whatever your opinion is, it’s not worth getting worked up over if someone else does the opposite of you. This seems to be one of those hot-button topics people get irrationally passionate about, like pineapple on pizza, Apple vs. Android, or shoes in the house. Sometimes I check a bag, sometimes I carry my bag on. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I will say, however, that if you do check your bag (and that’s totally ok!) pack a change of clothes and some basic toiletries in your carry-on just in case your bag does not arrive with you. It’s rare, and *knock on wood* in all my years of travel I’ve only had my bag arrive later than me once.
The biggest disadvantage to checking your bag isn’t your bags getting lost, as this is fairly rare when you think of how many bags are checked in a day all over the world, but if you miss a connecting flight and get stranded somewhere your bag is in airport limbo until your next flight. But this can be mitigated by…a change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on bag. If I am on a long trip, I am more likely to carry on for my outbound flight and check my bag for my inbound flight. If I get home and my luggage doesn’t arrive with me, it’s not a huge deal. It’ll show up eventually. I am also more likely to check a bag if I don’t have a connection.
tl;dr DO WHAT YOU WANT. There is no right or wrong answer.
How can you simplify? Learning to pack light makes you a much nimbler traveler and it takes so much less time to unpack and repack at every destination.
