I’m pretty low maintenance and don’t bring much hair stuff (though sometimes. have my curling iron) or toiletries. But I am prone to foot issues so do usually have at least 3 or 4 pair shoes (but wear the largest pair on plane). One pair is oofos flip flops or soft/light clogs (Easy Spirit Traveltime), worn in hotel and elsewhere. Admittedly my carry-on bag is fairly large, allowed by US flights to Europe… I check it on the way home since size restrictions tighter.
Years ago we had to pack for a long trip with the kids that included a wedding and a family reunion campout (cool nights) and beach vacation. That was a challenge.
No matter the length of the trip, everything goes in 1 backpack style carry-on that I put under the seat in front of me. I intentionally bring clothes and items on the older side and throw them away as I go: socks, underwear, shoes, T-shirts, toothbrush. This makes space for anything I might want to bring back. Pants or skirts must be thin, made of a synthetic, and have at least 1 zip pocket. These I can hand wash and drip dry. A few tops that I wear at least a couple of days each, and may hand wash if needed. If the trip is casual, a zip fleece. If the trip is fancy, a large cashmere cardigan that goes to mid-thigh and can double as a blanket. Very minimal toiletries; whatever else I may need I will buy there.
Showing what I would pack as far as makeup for a trip.
3 brushes, face, eyeshadow and blush
Makeup primer decanted into a small container
Eyeshadow primer
Stick foundation, use as concealer and foundation
Bronzer
Eyeshadow stick
Trio of eyeshadow
Eye liner
Balm cheek color
Powder blush
Pressed powder
Mascara
Lots of product, will fit into a small mesh bag. Most is solid so would probably put only the face primer and eye primer in my liquids bag.
I did forget any lipstick
And I could leave out the powder blush and the eyeshadow stick. Or the eyeshadow trio and use another eye shadow stick. Or add a separate concealer.
As far as toiletries, the only thing that is a must have is my own shampoo and conditioner. I spend too much $$ on color, the shampoo in hotels strips the color so I carry my own. Decanted into a small container.
Here’s what I ended up buying for my short trip - looking for a lightweight something thst I don’t need to have as much anxiety about lifting into the overhead compartment - 4 pounds, wheeled, duffle style
$59.99 at T.J.MAXX
I feel good about it. I’m a clothes roller and like the duffle concept. I think I can get 2 pairs of shoes and one on my feet and get my well planned clothing in. I’ll also have my backpack for extras which can double as my conference bag and I’ll throw a small Baggu cross body in empty for when I tourist wander!
I said I would ask my daughter about packing for a three week international trip…and what she used. She has a camping internal frame backpack, and a daypack. Both carry on the plane.
We are big advocates of sticking to carry-on luggage for touring trips. Makes it easier to maneuver around cities, on trains etc. We each also have backpack, pretty heavy/full (hubby has camera, CPAP).
However when we go for a week to beach resort, I do a large checked bag (free for us on United, we use frequent flier miles for flight) including some overflow room for hubby. That way we can bring plenty of sunblock, and there is lots of room for bathing suits, swim suits, nicer dinner clothe, variety of footwear. Also not much risk to lost luggage not catching up to us. I do take an extra shirt a for each of us in my backpack as well as a bathing suit for me.
I almost always check a bag. But my soft nylon carry on (fits under the seat) always holds a change of top, underwear,socks, something to sleep in and basic toiletries as well as things like charging cords/prescription meds, etc. If I am traveling to a beach resort I also tuck in a swimsuit and flip flops. I have had my checked bag “lost” a few times and I have always managed this way. The only time it was an issue was with the wedding in a rural area story I told in a prior post.
Our luggage was lost in 2012, before a Western Med cruise. Arggg - my husband had his meds in the checked bag (now he always keeps in carry-on). We had one night in Barcelona, and the kind desk clerk chased down the bag on the phone… assured us that airline was trying to get it forwarded to the ship. It did, but we didn’t know for sure until we had already set sail. Purchased a few things just in case but was really so glad to have our stuff back.
I always have my medications and medical gear in my carry on. I might put some if it in checked luggage on the trip home but never on outbound journey. The risk is too great!
I’m working hard to be able to travel in Europe for a month (late Aug to late Sept) using carry on only. It’ll be interesting. I can (and always do) carry on to Hawaii, but this feels different somehow. I’ll do it for sure.
Not sure if others have suggested this, but screw top contact lens cases are inexpensive and great for small amounts of make up products/toiletries (blush, concealer, eye shadow, lip ointment, illuminator) where a little goes a long way. I label them with a Sharpie. Also have found half size mascaras in a brand I like.
Happy travels!
You will never travel better than taking next to nothing with you. You can wear the same thing every day if you have the right travel clothes.
Shoes take the most room. Wear your biggest walking shoes. Pack a pair of comfy sandals that work for everything including dinner out and walking. One pair flip flops for hotel or pool.
Dress- Plain black or other color in quick dry fabric that you can add jewelry to change look. Some fabrics are so thin you can do this easily for more than one.
Pants–good for wearing over multiple days. Lightweight quick dry fabric.
Shorts–same. It’s all in the fabric.
Tops–for a month I’d pack 4 that match with everything.
Underwear–same–microfiber will dry so fast. 3-4 pair
Socks–microfiber (hiking trips may be different). 3-4 pair.
A light windbreaker.
A light shawl.
IF you can buy into Rick Steve’s site for travel this works wonders. Just wear your dirty clothes into the shower and soap them down, rinse off and hang to dry. Bring a foldable hanger(s) and you’re good to go by the next morning. No icky sink and wringing out clothes–wash and hang as you shower. It’s all in having quick dry fabrics.
If you do this with quick dry fabrics…you can take a top…step in shower…wash you and top…step out…roll the top in towel and put it back on…the top may be damp but it’ll be dry in 30 min from your body heat and you’ll be cooler for 30 min longer.
Lol I’m packing for a Tues-Friday trip to NYC for a business casual work conference.
What’s the problem? Shoes.
Admittedly I don’t have a lot of “nice shoes”. I have oodles of athletic wear (which I actually pair with casual dresses daily for work), N array of TEVAS or Keens and I have one “nicer” navy sandal that is also good for walking.
I’ll wear my athletic shoes on the plane. It seems ridiculous to bring 3 more pair so I need to get rid of one. Do I let the navy take the place of a casual black sandal as my “dark shoe”? Do I leave behind the green toed sandal that is sort of me in a nutshell and will go with the 2 ankle pants I’m bringing? I have till 6:30am to decide!! Lol
I’m leaning leave my fav green behind…love them but if I have to limit, I should be more practical! I’ll take them on the FUN vacations!
I was folding laundry and realized it’s about time to buy some new underwear. I started shopping online and planned to toss my worn out/dingy pairs in the trash when I realized, there is nothing wrong with them. Now they are going in my River Cruise trip bag - I can just pack my old undies and throw them away each day!
I have some undies in a bag at the back of my drawer for that purpose. On an international trip, I pack a combo of those and quick drying ones. Also have a few unloved tops reserved for similar use.
I have old race/running group tech tees that I’ve found make for great sleep shirts. Since I became the repository for the group shirts, I have a lot in the house. This last trip I took a couple and tossed them at the end to make room for French goodies.
My husband usually brings a carry on with him & never a personal item. Smaller than mine, of course, and then I get to pack whatever in my bag on the way home. This trip he took along a folding nylon duffel and threw squishy stuff in it for the return flight, leaving room in his checked bag for more afore-mentioned French goodies.
