I promise you can do it.
When I was a sophomore in college, I did a month long study abroad across Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Spain. We were only allowed to bring a carry on and a backpack for the whole trip, which I thought was insane. Since that trip, I’ve managed to go even smaller, packing in a large backpack for a three-week trip and a smaller one for a one-week trip.
I decided that I’d never pay to check a bag again.
My Away Bigger Carry On suitcase is one of the best investments I’ve made and I seriously could not recommend it enough. I thought there was no way I’d be able to fit a weeks (or more) worth of clothes and shoes in it and every time, I’m totally amazed.
Most of the posts I’ve read on packing tell you how many of each item to pack. They don’t necessarily tell you how to make it all fit in your bag and how to pack in a way that works for your trip. My goal is to convince you that YOU CAN pack in a carry on and still have enough clothes for great instagram content.
To simplify, I made a list of packing rules I live by:
- Fold like Marie Kondo
- Pick a color palette and only pack things that match other things
- Accessorize and layer to make it trendy
- Wash it and re-wear it
- Always under pack
Fold like Marie Kondo
In college, my packing secret was using Space Bags. And I loved them, but recently, I found something better. I started folding my clothes like Marie Kondo.
If you don’t know Marie Kondo, check out her folding method HERE.
Packing this way seriously maximizes the space in your suitcase. Everything fits perfectly and not an inch of space is wasted. It’s also amazing if you’re going to be moving around from place to place. Every single item you pack is completely visible, so you don’t have to unpack and repack to see everything, which is also great when you’re packing at home. Plus, it looks great for packing content 😉
Pick a color palette and only pack things that match other things
Statement pieces are great, but not when you’re trying to pack in a carry on. The only real way to get away with packing statement pieces is with dresses or jumpsuits, and even then I still try to limit myself to one statement piece per trip.
Having a color palette is really helpful when you’re packing. It limits the number of items in your closet that you want to bring and guarantees that everything will match. If a piece that you want to bring doesn’t match with at least two other things in your suitcase, you probably shouldn’t bring it. When I’m packing for a longer trip, I usually count out the number of outfits I can make with the things in my suitcase. Make sure you have at least 5 outfits that you’re really excited to wear and in total, more outfits than the number of days in your trip.
Accessorize and layer to make it trendy
Hear me out, packing light doesn’t have to get in the way of great instagram content. We all know good accessories can complete an outfit, so don’t forget to go big with these when you’re traveling. Plus a jacket or sweater can completely change the look of your outfit.
Bring your best chunky earrings, a cute barrette and a hair scarf to switch up your vibe. And layer your look with a denim jacket or pullover, it’s cute and practical.
Wash it and re-wear it
Don’t be afraid to visit a laundromat when you’re traveling! You can also bring detergent and wash things in the sink. Or stay at an AirBnb with a washer. It’s seriously the BEST way to save space.
A lot of times when I travel, I wear the same dress or shirt multiple times. For me, being comfortable is the most important thing when I’m traveling, so if I find an outfit that’s cute and comfortable, I wear it as often as I can.
Always under pack
Okay, I know this might sound crazy! But I promise it’s possible. If you take all my packing rules in mind, it’s one hundred percent doable.
One of the best ways to save room is with your toiletries and hair tools. I bought the most amazing mini hair dryer, which saves a ton of space. I also significantly cut down on what makeup I bring. And sometimes, I don’t bring shampoo or conditioner at all, and just buy it when I arrive.
I’m always buying things when I travel and it’s NOT fun trying to figure out how to get things back that don’t fit in your suitcase. Under packing is the best way to avoid that super exciting experience.
It might seem like a given, but make sure you think through what you’ll actually be doing on your trip and don’t pack things you don’t need. Are you really going to go to the gym? Do you actually need to bring platforms? Is it acceptable or realistic to even wear the item in the country that you’re visiting? Overall, your shoes should be the most practical thing you pack. You can be comfortable and cute!
If you know me, you know that I’m not big on planning everything out before a trip (read my next post about why!). And obviously, packing isn’t the most fun part of a trip, but it’s something I always choose to spend time on. Packing in a carry on is worth it for so many reasons, so take a little extra time and you won’t regret it.
