How to Pack 10 Days of Clothes in a Carry On

 

 

 

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I’m normally a great packer, but I definitely over-packed for my last trip to Europe.  As I lugged my overstuffed suitcase up to a 5th floor walkup, I was totally kicking myself for not following the packing lessons I learned by traveling every week for 2 years as a consultant.  I also promised myself somewhere between floors 3 and 4 that I would never make the same mistake again!

As it is summer vacation season and I’m always ready for another trip (especially if it involves a passport stamp and a beach), I wanted to share some of my tips for packing for a week in a carry-on.  In real life, I would probably add a few more bathing suits (like this one or this one) and t-shirts since all I want do is lay on the beach, but I would definitely have the space to do so.  I also recommend taking a small bottle of Woolite and a Tide Pen just in case!

How to Pack 10 Days of Clothes in a Carry On:

1. Stick to one color palette – brown or black, unless you are very comfortable mixing the two.  Every piece you pack should be able to be paired with another piece in your carry-on.  Shoes are always the hardest for me, so I try to get around this by packing neutral shoes (like these sandals or this pair).

2. Plan out your outfits.  I know this is hard to hear for those of us who love fashion, but you can eliminate excess pieces by planning your outfits.  I over-packed for Europe because I waited until the last minute to pack and didn’t plan my outfits….

3. Limit the number of shoes and wear the bulkiest pair on the plane if possible.  This normally means having a very honest conversation with myself about if I’m actually going to make it to the gym….  I would rather make room for something like this dress than a pair of gym sneakers!

4. Use accessories to add a pop to your outfit.  Fun accessories like clutches or jewelry are light, don’t take up a lot of space, and are a great way to take an outfit from day to night.  I always bring this bag and this and this would be perfect with most of the outfits above!

5. Roll your clothes.  I prefer to roll my pieces into tight rolls to create extra space.  Also, be sure to stuff items in your shoes and any other free space.  You want to use every inch of space in your carry-on!

Do you guys have any packing tips that you work well for you?

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

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