How do you pack for a trip in a carryon?

Pizzagirl
Thu, 03 Sep 2015 15:34:46 +0000

Don’t ask me how the physics of it works. It just does. Seriously.

This is what I have packed already for my upcoming trip:

Sat / Sun (overnight flight): Black tee, black Neon Buddha jacket, black loose-yoga pants, black walking shoes that are still reasonably stylish and not clunky. This outfit gets the dirtiest from being on an overnight flight, so it doesn’t get reworn til flight home the following Monday - so it’s got a full week to air out.
Sun: White top, black capris, walking shoes
Mon: A different white top, beige capris, walking shoes (with client, but in casual setting)
Tue: (with client, business casual) Turquoise / seafoam green ruched dress with turquoise cardigan, dressy sandals
Wed: (ditto) Gray / beige dress, gray patent Repetto ballet flats
Thur: (ditto) Blue / black fitted dress, black cardigan, black flats

I’m just touring by myself Fri/Sat/Sun. There’s absolutely zero reason I can’t rewear any of the 3 dresses with the walking shoes, or re-wear the capris and tops and throw on the cardigan from Tues. I fly back on Mon morning.

So for 9 days (Sat - Mon) that’s 3 tops, 3 bottoms, 3 dresses, 1 casual jacket, 2 cardigans, 4 pairs of shoes (and I could have gotten away with fewer but specifically chose certain shoes for these dresses).
Add workout clothing, scrubs, underwear and toiletries - done. It’s all rolled up in my carry-on and honestly I have tons of room left over - I’ve packed about a dozen magazines in there, a guide to France and a guide to Belgium. My carry-on just contains my computer/iPad/converters and my work-related materials, and then I have a cross-body wallet for my passport, phone and euros.

My coworker and I have to schlep 10 heavy suitcases / boxes for our meeting in Paris, so packing light is an absolute essential for me.