I’m flying to Spain tomorrow, and I’ve put myself up to the ultimate test — I’m only allowing myself to bring only a carry-on sized suitcase. This may sound normal to most of you, but, for me (an eternal over-packer) this is really lightening the load. Especially for an overseas trip.
So, how do I up my travel game? Practice makes perfect. Which is why, after a lot of practice (and a lot of packing fails) I’ve finally compiled my top packing tips on what to consider, what to pack and what to leave behind.
What to consider:
- The first thing to think about is weather. Is it sweater weather? Or are you headed to the beach? Wherever your headed remember this top tip; light layers are your friends and make sure to wear bulky items like boots or sweaters on the plane.
- TAKE ONLY WHAT IS NECESSARY. The thing that always makes for overpacking – “options,” I always thought having options and packing more was better than getting to a destination and regretting not having something. This thought process has only weighed me down (literally) in my lifetime of travels. If you don’t absolutely need it, DON’T BRING IT! Worst case scenario, you can always make a purchase along the way or when you get to wherever it is that you’re going.
- Is your carry-on bag up to par? The shape, size and overall design of the bag can really make a difference. The average allowed carry-on dimensions are 9 inches wide, 14 inches long, and 22 inches high. Make sure to shop around and find one that best fits your needs – note that a good suitcase is worth investing in as it should last you years.
After all things considered, it’s time to pack. Here’s what to bring:
- Travel Wrap/scarf . Contrary to what you might think, cashmere and summer do go together. Don’t let the warm weather outside deceive you – air conditioned planes and airports will not pleasantly complement your breezy summer outfit. Take a cashmere wrap that can act as both a cozy scarf and a blanket for onboard snoozing. White + Warren’s wrap is the perfect companion for long flights, cold terminals, and chilly summer evenings.
- 2 pairs of shoes. Shoes can take up the most room in your suitcase, so try limiting them to two and planning your outfits around them. Try opting for a pair of wear-with-anything flats such as Birkenstocks and a good pair of sneakers is a must.
- 4 tops. A white tank, 2 white tees and a shirt. I like to pack pieces made of cotton — they’re easy to wash, dry fast and don’t wrinkle as much as other fabrics.
- 2 pairs of shorts. Pack a pair of shorts that can be paired with almost anything, and you can get multiple wears out of them before washing. I also like to bring a pair of soft lounge shorts. They’re great for sleeping, don’t take up a lot of room, and are good to have in case you want to work out or take a hike and need something extra comfortable.
- 1 jacket. Packing a not-too-heavy oversized jacket that’s oversized is good for cool weather… really, it’s just great to have a jacket along, in my opinion. (And it makes the best blanket or pillow for the airplane.
- Comfy Socks. Since you’ll be wearing flats to the airport for comfort and a quick security check, socks are positively essential. Having cold feet on a long flight is no bueno. A wool and cashmere blend, like this pair by Pantherella, is a safe bet to combat the cabin’s blasting AC.
- Reading material. Even with in-flight Wi-Fi and movies, nothing compares to unplugging with a good book.
- Sunglasses: A pair of shades is especially liberating for an early morning takeoff or a crack-of-dawn landing. This iconic pair of Ray Ban’s with on-trend mirrored lenses will lend you an incognito vibe. They’ll also be your best friend once you arrive at your sun-drenched destination.
To finish, throw in your laptop or tablet, chargers, wallet and passport in my backpack, make sure my camera is charged up and all proper gear is in my camera bag, and then it’s adiós!!
Where are you traveling next? Do you have any packing tips? Let us know in the comments below!
