Do you start with the best intentions of traveling light, but end up with a gigantic, heavy suitcase filled with extras for every possible occasion and emergency and you come home having only worn 10 pieces of clothing?

You have seen them, the countless people at airports and hotels completely weighed down by kilos of packing that they probably do not need. A visiting friend once came with a suitcase that said “I’m staying for a year” rather than “weekend getaway.” She had eight pairs of shoes for a three-day stay because she could not make up her mind. In the end she wore flip flops for 90% of the time and trainers the rest.

So how can you avoid carrying all that extra stuff? Can you really take so little that you can go away for a weekend, or a week, or even 10 days in a carry-on bag? Definitely, it takes some planning and some clever accessorizing.

Here are my top tips:

Check the weather

This may seem like common sense yet so many travelers do not check the weather prior to leaving. While you can pack in advance of the journey, verifying the weather a few days prior to departure and making adjustments to your packed items may make a difference between a mediocre to a great experience.

Packing List

If you enjoy traveling the most demanding part, after sorting all the activities on vacation, is packing. Each of us have our favorite, non-negotiable items we need daily. A simple, multi-destination packing list will keep you sane over time. Plenty of great packing lists on the internet to review and then make your own. Here is a link to a great list.

Pack a capsule wardrobe

A capsule wardrobe is a set of clothing where each piece can be combined with the others in multiple ways. Depending on your destination and program is, you decide on what to take. This may seem daunting in the beginning but it actually works very well. It is can be as simple as a few jaunty scarves that coordinate well with multiple pieces in your closet.

wardrobe capsule

Besides appropriate clothing, it is very important to identify your best shoes for the activities and weather where you are traveling. focus on having an appropriate pair of very comfortable shoes and do check the weather report before you start packing.

Think about what activities you will be doing and then decide on a color scheme. This is important, as you want all pieces to go together. If you will have the option to do laundry, you could do with even less.

As an example, packing for a four-day weekend in Barcelona that involves lots of walking and sightseeing during the days and going out to restaurants in the evenings with this basic wardrobe:

1 pair dark blue cropped jeans
1 pair black shorts
1 stretchy black/white striped pencil skirt
1 white tank top
1 white t-shirt
1 grey t-shirt
1 white man’s shirt
1 long line grey cardigan
2 scarves
2 necklaces
1 pair of white converse
1 pair of wedge sandals
1 pair ballerinas
Sunglasses, large handbag, clutch bag and of course personal mentionables

With these pieces, it was comfortable walking around during the day, easily layer as needed for the evenings or while down by the sea, and easily dress up what I wore during the day for an evening out. Everything fitted easily into my carry-on along with my toiletries.

The 30% Rule

When you pack, put all the items out on my bed to make sure to get a good overview. You should think about what kind of trip you are going on and if there is anything special needed. Beach? Swimsuits, beach towel, flip flops… Check! City break? Comfy shoes, evening appropriate clothes, city guide… Check! Traveling with a kid? Maybe one additional outfit for them, but doable!

When all items are on the bed, take a long hard think about what is really needed and remove approximately 30% of the items that you pulled out. Normally this means removing a skirt or a pair of trousers, maybe switching two pairs of shoes for a pair that is suitable in multiple settings, or taking out a couple of t-shirts.

Quite often you realize you over packed when you come home with a lot of clean clothes and some shoes still in their shoe bag. If this happens to you, learn from it and pack smarter next time!

Pack your suitcase like a pro

So many ways to approach packing, each person has their own special approach. Yet there is always a new idea to consider, read on.

Heavy items, such as toiletries and shoes, at the bottom of the suitcase near the wheels. Toiletries may open during movement so packing them in the case just above the wheels my minimize damage to the content of your suitcase. Rolling or folding your clothes and packing them flat all depends on your needs. I find that if your wardrobe is mainly casual, rolling is a good way to pack. If you have more formal clothes, folding and laying flat is better. A dress for example is best packed last, as it will crease less laying flat at the top of your packing.

Put your knickers and socks in your shoes. There is lots of space in there and the stuffing will act as shoe blocks and keep the shoes from getting squashed. Pack shoes in bags to keep the rest of the items clean. Alternatively, hotel shower cap is an excellent shoe bag!

Use the little spaces between your clothes or other items for smaller items.

Some other solutions for stripping your packing down:

  • Use a perfume travel atomizer to avoid lugging heavy glass bottles. There are those that you can easily transfer your favorite perfume to without any spilling.
  • Decant shampoos, conditioner etc into travel size bottles – or wash at home and travel with dry shampoo if it is a short trip.
  • Pack a sarong that doubles as a beach towel, blanket, head wrap, and sun protection to save space.
  • Invest in a compact microfiber towel – it dries quickly and fits in the size of my sunglasses case.
  • Slim down your toiletries/make up case – use multi-tasking products and travel sized products and you could get away with very little. As an example coconut oil (or another favorite oil of yours) will work as a body moisturizer, frizz tamer, lip balm…
  • If you have to have a hairdryer/straightening irons – buy travel-sized products if you travel a lot. It definitely saves space.
  • Not sure if it will rain or be chilly? Bring a foldable parka or wear ultra light down. A thin wool scarf is also great for layering and takes little space. If you are at a hotel you can often borrow an umbrella if needed.
  • Think you might need a backpack for a daypack or maybe have more to carry back (who does not love holiday shopping?) – pack a foldable rucksack or duffle bag. A foldable shopping bag is also great in case you need extra space to carry stuff.

Travelling is supposed to be fun – at least most of it, so do not kill yourself trying to pack light. It might take a few trips until you know what is absolutely essential for you and what you need to make your trip comfortable and enjoyable.

Trying to pack lighter is often one way of making your trip easier. It affords easier movement between taxi, train or plane. You can lift your own luggage rather than seeking help from fellow travelers.

Finally, having a lighter bag may afford you extra space for those unexpected gems that you might find on your travels that just need to join you back home!

Natalie lived in Prague for a few years on two separate occasions and liked to travel extensively with her children.