How to Travel with Just Your Carry-on
There’s something about traveling light that feels both freeing and anxiety-inducing at the same time. Did I pack enough? What if the outfits I bring won’t match the weather? But also, how can I fit this all in one bag? And how can I keep my bag as light as possible so I don’t have to worry about lugging around a weight bench on my back?
Believe it or not, it IS possible to take a week long trip with just your carry-on bag. We’ve done it. We love it. Here are a few quick tips for packing as efficiently as possible:
Roll your clothes
This is a classic military trick to help save room in your bag, as well as keep your clothes from wrinkling. It’s amazing how many rolled shirts you’ll be able to fit vs. if you just fold and stack them. Keep your clothing as small as possible with a nice roll, and you can even roll garments within other garments to save even more space!
Pack things you can easily rewear
Jeans, jean shorts, a sweatshirt or a lighter top layer shirt, all of these you wouldn’t normally wash after one wear anyway, so try to pack a few outfit staples that will last you a few days, paired with a fresh shirt.
Limit yourself to two pairs of shoes
Find just two shoe pairs, one that’s functional (sneakers, strappy sandals, hey dudes) one that’s stylish (heels, dress shoes) so you’re prepared for a casual situation, as well as a dressy one. But keep it to those two. Shoes take up the majority of room in your suitcase. The least number of shoes you can pack, the better.
Summer clothes take up less room
This packing strategy works best if you’re traveling somewhere warm, because of course, summer clothes are usually smaller and thinner. We once packed for a week in Cancun with just our carry-ons, with room to spare! Mainly because we wore our swim suits, a sundress or two, and unbuttoned button-up shirts most of the trip, but all that to say, this method works great when you need less clothes to begin with!
Packing light is rewarding, and you’ll realize how freeing it feels to only bring the things you REALLY need, and focus more on the place itself than bringing home to it.