How to Pack Lightly Every Time You Travel
I pride myself on being a light packer [when I need to be].
I clarified, when I need to be, because my boyfriend think I’m a chronic over-packer. To which I tell him – I ONLY overpack when we are driving places. Because why wouldn’t I bring extra options if there’s no downside to throwing a few more things in the back of the car?
But my mindset is totally different when flying. I hate having a heavy bag and I generally find having too many options takes me away from focusing on the destination I’m in. When you only have one option, you are dressed in a jiffy and ready to go explore!
I wasn’t always this way and it’s only after years of travel that I have started to become more of a minimalist, buy-it-when-you-get-there-if-you-really-need it kind of gal. Because at the end of the day, I’d way rather repeat outfits or share a camera with my boyfriend than have to pay overweight bag charges or break my back with heavy backpack.
But for those of you who still find yourself trying to pack your entire wardrobe into your suitcase or (GASP) checking a bag – I want you to know, you’re not alone. This is a challenge that A LOT Of people face. But I’m here to tell you that the more you exercise these strategies, the more you’ll realize how little you actually need on your trip and the EASIER packing light becomes in the future.
Well let’s get into it, here are my tips on HOW TO PACK LIGHT!
1. NEVER CHECK A BAG
This is my number 1 principle for always packing light – NEVER CHECK A BAG. Now this won’t really work if you are backpacking with a travelers backpack – those pretty much always need to be checked (unless you purchased a very small one that was designed for carry on). But for everyone else traveling with a regular suitcase or rollaboard, heed my warning.
Part of the fun of travel is escaping your regular life and living a simpler existence, free from the pressures of work, home obligations, etc. So why not take implement that same policy when packing to lighten your load (physically & metaphorically).
I love my Away Bigger Carry-On which maximizes items you can carry while still fitting in the overhead compartment. You can check out my review of the bag HERE.
2. Start by laying out everything you want to take
The first bad habit you need to “unlearn” is to stop pulling your suitcase out and immediately throwing stuff into it. By the time you cover the first layer, you’ve often forgotten what’s in there and this leads to gross overpacking.
Instead, you want to lay out everything you might want to take. This helps you understand holistically what you’ll have to wear and the individual ways you can pair items to create ensembles.
3. Now lose about 30% of what you WANT to take
Notice that I’ve instructed you to lay out everything you wantto take, not what you NEEDto take. So now look at everything you pulled out and put back 30%.
Go thru everything you’ve laid out and consider….
Can this item be used once or multiple times?
Does this item take up a disproportionate amount of space based on my need?
Is this item readily available in my destination and low cost to re-purchase?
Can this item be borrowed easily enough in my destination?
If the item still passes the test after these questions, then, and only then, can it go into your suitcase.
4. Don’t be afraid to buy things once you get to your final destination
If you are going to Southeast Asia, there’s little need to bring a winter coat. Plus, if you get there, the cost to buy a coat if you find yourself cold is very low. Hence, there is no reason to take a winter coat with you.
Another good category to consider buying once there are toiletries & shoes – these can take up a good amount of space in your luggage and are easy enough to repurchase for your trip once you have arrived. I myself have purchased cheap tennis shoes & sandals all over the world.
5. Stick to one color palette for your clothing/shoes
This lesson took me a little longer to learn but has since been a game changer. When all your clothes match or “go together”, this makes it very easy to mix and match to create different outfits. Thus, you don’t need as many items overall and you aren’t in danger of packing items you only use once.
I recommend black or darker colors, as these are less likely to get dirty and easier to re-wear. I would avoid white, which can get dirty easily and thus harder to re-use.
As an added bonus, if you’re posting your trip photos to Instagram, this will help give the photos a common thread and flow together more seamlessly.
6. Only bring items that you can wear more than once
Gone are the days when I worry about being seen in the same outfit twice or stuffing my suitcase with items that are only suitable for one activity I plan to do. Light packer Pros know that items are only allowed into your suitcase if they can be reused and worn across multiple occasions.
So skip your white shorts that are bound to get dirty upon one wear or the form-fitted shirt that is susceptible to body odor. I recommend sleeveless tank tops if you are going to be in warm climates (to avoid coming into contact with your armpits and starting to smell). I tried to think of a nicer way to phrase that but I got nothing.
Also think about fabrics that are easy to get spots and stains out of if you drop something on yourself (a common problem of mine) or smudge your deodorant!
7. Choose lightweight shoes and fabrics that take up less space
Expert packers know to always opt for lightweight shoes and clothing items. My favorite shoes at home are my thick-soled Doc Martens, but I always leave these at home because they take up entirely too much room in my suitcase. I also tend to steer away from a lot of heavy jean material and overalls because they take up a lot of space as well. Dresses and cotton shorts/skirts are great and take up very little space in comparison.
But Lauren, what about in winter time, you ask? Yes, witner does because a bit more challenging….but you just have to get creative and go for fabrics that are known for being thin AND warm. Cashmere, fleece, flannel and clothing produced with heat-tech are all good options.
So if you ever find yourself debating between two items tot ake, ALWAYS go for the lighter one. There I’ve made your decision easier for you!
8. Pack items that have dual purpose
Another trick of the trade is to aim to pack items that can be used for multiple purposes wherever possible. For example, you can use your conditioner as shaving cream and your, your highlighter as eyeshadow.
I always travel with an infinity scarf because it can be used to keep warm, to cover my shoulders in a temple, as a blanket to sleep on a bus, and much more!
9. Wear layers, your heaviest shoes, and jacket on your flight
When it comes to choosing your airplane outfit, make sure you’re always wearing your heaviest shoes and your jacket so they don’t have to take up space in your suitcase. I also recommend layers as well…not only does this keep you warm on the flight (why is it always SO damn cold on airplanes), but you won’t be adding excess to your baggage.
10. When it comes to skincare and makeup, only take the bare minimum
Ladies, I know it can be tempting to want to cart around our entire skincare routine and makeup for every occasion but resist the temptation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve packed my regular makeup bag to go to Thailand to only put on makeup like once. Not worth it.
I’m not saying you need to be bare-faced the whole trip, but think realistically about what you will need. If you’re going on a tropical vacation, chances are you won’t be wearing much makeup in between the pool and ocean swims. If you’re going skiing, your face is going to be covered by a mask so you probably don’t need much makeup for that either.
You can also get creative by using one item for multiple uses – such as using your highlighter as blush and eyeshadow.
11. Take only what you need
The thought of someone carting their entire shampoo bottle for a weekend trip makes me cringe. You should only bring as much product as you actually think you’ll need on your trip!
You can purchase travel sized containers to put your shampoo and conditioner in. OR if you know you’re staying in hotels and aren’t picky about your brand of toiletries, consider skipping all together!
12. If you’re traveling with someone, share items
A great way to cut down on your load is to arrange to share with a traveling companion. When I was in Malaysia with my sister, we were constantly raiding each other’s backpacks for something new to wear. It was a win win for all!
Apart from clothing, electronics are another great category to share. The weight of a computer and camera can add up quickly, so try to only bring one per traveling group when possible!
Do you have any other light packing tips? Make sure to share them in the comments below!
As always, if you enjoyed this article, feel free to share across social xo