How… And Why… I Pack So Light! My Ultimate Carry-On Packing Guide…
My White Carry-On / Winnie’s Pink Carry-On / John’s Brown Carry-On / Black Underseater / Pillow-Blanket Set
Wheels UP… in 6 days and 14 hours! Who’s counting? Me… for approximately the last six weeks ;). Today I am answering all of your questions and giving you all of my tips for PACKING LIGHT… the WHY and the HOW! And let me remind you… I pack CARRY-ON ONLY for ALL OF OUR TRIPS NOW which are up to SIX WEEKS! First, let’s chat WHY…
Why I Pack So Light…
For years and years now I have been chatting, IG story-ing and blogging all about my light packing ways. It all began seven years ago when I loaded up my girlies and I for our first Summer away. Winnie was four, Addie was nine and I packed WAYYYY too much! We had a 29th story condo in downtown Portland, Oregon for the Summer and it was just too much. We did several weekends at the Oregon coast and even up into Seattle and the Pugent Sound islands and I wished the entire time that I had packed smarter. Just felt like it took away from the getaway vibe.
Then came Summer number two, I did a little better but we were Europe bound this time. Winnie was five, Addie was ten and between multiple flights, multiple train rides (and if you’ve ever jumped aboard a European train YOU KNOW… they give you 15min to find your platform AND load… it is STRESSFULLLLLL) and all those European cobblestone streets… my efforts at packing light just weren’t enough.
The following year, it was ON! I had realized after two six week long stays that for me, traveling (especially our yearly Summer adventure) is way more about the experience, the getaway from it all and the adventure than wearing a different outfit each day and packing ten pairs of shoes that I don’t even end up wearing. It’s quite literally throwing a small bag on a train, hopping aboard and living in the moment. Work and life and everything in between is so crazy at home every other month of the year that I just craved being able to wear cozy shoes, my favorite leggings and see the world. It doesn’t mean that I can’t look cute or eat at a fancy restaurant, it just means that I don’t need to wear something different every single day to do so. Aside from all of you ;), no one would even know if I wore the same dang thing every single day!
Still not convinced… AND you are headed to Europe soon? I say Europe just because I have lots and lots of Europe travel experience but I know this applies to far more destinations. If you’ve never been abroad, here’s a few things you may not know… As far as rolling luggage and wearing heels, I’d go as far as to say that a MAJORITY of the streets are cobblestone, marble or some other incredibly uneven yet stunningly beautiful material. Also, elevators are not near as common as they are here. The chances of you walking hundred year old narrow wooden spiral steps up to your Airbnb or even your hotel room is HIGHLY LIKELY. Once again, loads of luggage and/or heels not recommended… by me at least! And then there’s transportation… if you are like us and want to country or even city hop while abroad, you’re either taking a tiny airplane, a small car or a train. And as I mentioned above, the train stations there are absolute madness. I remember that first Summer in France just the girlies and I, throwing all of our luggage on board one by one while also simultaneously kinda throwing the girls aboard before then situating myself.
Oh and I promise I am not trying to scare you or talk you out of international travel. I only say these things are “difficult” in the context of being overloaded with things or wearing uncomfortable shoes… things like that. So now, let me help you pack!
But Before I Move On…
Before I continue on, I do want to add that packing “just carry-on” does not actually have as much to do with not checking luggage as it may seem. Although that part is fabulous and we try and take full advantage of it as much as we can from being able to do online check-in and heading straight to security to bypassing everyone waiting on their luggage at the final destination. Oh and not to mention also bypassing the dreadful lost luggage! BUT, it really is just more about the ease of lugging less. Carry-on sizes are just more manageable in every way. You can lug them through train aisles easier, you can carry them up stairs easier and it’s just overall a more manageable amount of things.
How I Pack So Light…
First, believe me when I say that I also spent the first 35 years of my life bringing an absolute TON of luggage on every single trip and would have sworn up and down that this was not even remotely possible. HOWEVER, I have found that with everyone who tries and “gets it down”, you really do stick to packing light and never go back.
Tip One…
I am going to start my tips with the biggest room saver of all! THIS UNDERSEATER…
Black Underseater
As you can see, it holds A LOT and on most major airlines (like Delta), it counts as your personal item! So you can then take your carry-on luggage AND this underseater on the plane (pictured below)! I use this to basically carry everything I am taking other than clothes leaving my entire carry-on suitcase just for clothing. Think… laptop, toiletry bag, jewelry case, flat iron, curling iron, plug converters, shoes AND EVEN MORE!
My White Carry-On / Black Underseater
Tip Two…
Pack one (MAYBE two) pairs of shoes! I know, I know, I know… it’s painful to think about but you won’t regret it I promise! I remember the first year we went to Europe for the Summer, I brought heels. They sat in the same spot in my suitcase the entire time. So I wised up and the next year, I bought Chacos for all three of us and we wore one pair the entire six weeks. Best. Decision. Ever. I have done the one pair thing ever since except this year. We will be staying in some cooler and rainier destinations so I will also be packing sneakers! Here are the sandals and sneakers I am bringing this year…
This Year’s Sandals!
Sneakers
Tip Three…
You don’t need a big purse! And you sure won’t want to lug one around! I am asked about this often since technically my underseater would count as my purse. I take a small crossbody that holds my phone, my passport, a few credit cards and cash as well as usually a lipstick and maybe a compact and that’s it! I wear it as a backpack onto the plane and no one says a thing! Not to mention the fact that it’s also much safer than having a big purse by your side which seems an easier way to be pickpocketed. Here’s the ADORABLE crossbody I am taking this year!
Crossbody Bag
Tip Four…
Toiletries!!! Another question I am asked ALL THE TIME. As with this entire post I guess, you have to be willing to give up a few things to an extent to pack light but I can promise you it is SO WORTH IT. I am actually not very picky about product brands for the most part (although I am trying to go more clean with them lately!) so this one actually isn’t too too difficult for me personally. Plus, depending on how long you are staying, it’s sometimes even worth it… as we do on our Summer travels… to buy full-sized products once you arrive! We easily go through an entire shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste… in our 5-6 weeks away so I just grab some once we arrive.
If you aren’t staying long enough for that to be worth it, it is also still possible to bring TSA approved sizes and make it work. I find what I can in travel sizes and then I got a set of these cute BPA Free, TSA Approved bottles that I transfer my “can’t live withouts” into…
TSA Approved Toiletry Bottles
From there, all of these items plus my makeup fits nicely into this toiletry bag I got for this year…
Toiletry Bag
Oh and I also got the cutest little monogrammed jewelry case for this year too!
Jewelry Case
Tip Five…
Clothing… I guess this is less of a defined tip and more just something to work on and consider. Of course some of the things I mentioned above may not sound easy but the clothing part just might seem the most difficult of all. I think for me, I HAD to figure it out because packing enough for 5-6 weeks without washing and repeat wearing would be pretty much impossible. So therefore, why not just plan to repeat lots and bring less!
As I chatted about before, travel for me especially as it pertains to these long Summer trips is such a less is more, live in the moment, getaway from the “go go go”, “more more more” mentality. I have also learned that to really get out and adventure, I want to look cute but I also want to be relatively comfortable.
In terms of packing lighter, I have learned a “pack a one or two of each” method. And then for undergarments, I bring nine days worth of panties and two bras. I feel like most Airbnbs have a washer/dryer and most cities have a laundromat (yes, I know that sounds miserable and crazy but it’s been super worth it for us the few times we have utilized one). So therefore, more than one or two pairs of jeans or one or two skirts just isn’t necessary. I do a lot of cute bottoms and a lot of basic tops. I think that’s the easiest way to mix and match.
Next week I will be doing an entire blog post all about the CLOTHING side of packing light in this year’s “What I Packed” for this Summer’s trip!
Tip Six…
Wear your biggest items! Yep, whatever is on you sure doesn’t count LOL! I will be wearing my sneakers, a cardigan around my waist and may even carry a light coat in my arms. That means LESS in your suitcase!
A Few More Things…
Traveling internationally? Bring a good converter!!! This set works for multiple countries (the UK and Europe plus more) AND works for higher wattage items like a flat iron which BELIEVE ME you will need! I didn’t know this my first go and blew my $100+ flat iron.
Plug Converter Set
Long flight? Bring cozies!!! There’s nothing worse than being cold and uncomfortable on a plane. I found these adorable pillow/blanket sets that fit over your luggage handle and they’re perfection! The blanket is actually pretty big too! These sets are also great for any long car rides or train trips you may have along your travels as well.Pillow-Blanket SetPillow-Blanket Set
Pillow/Blanket Set
My White Carry-On / Winnie’s Pink Carry-On
Don’t forget about the kiddos! Taking kids on long flights is never easy but I’ve found if they have a little bookbag full of snacks and “toys” (Winnie usually goes for the art items), good headphones and a cozy pillow/blanket, a long flight is MUCH easier! I think it’s also easier when they have their own things in their own bag so it’s theirs to dig through on the plane. Oh and wiki sticks are a GREAT “toy” to bring to keep them occupied too!
Headphones / Bookbag
Wiki Sticks / Headphones
Clothing post coming next week!
XOXO, Brittany Palazzo
Can’t wait to follow along on your adventure. Our next big trip is to Maine- Boston, and I’m having a hard time trying to figure out how to pack is all. Thanks for the inspiration and recommendations.
Thank you for your amazing inspiration! Heading to Greece in a few weeks and your posts have been SO helpful.
I love your packing tips! I’m really curious how your bags work for short flights within Europe. Their carry-on sizing allowances tend to be smaller dimensions than US airlines (my Calpak carry-on is considered too big). I’ve looked at multiple European carriers (TUI, Ryan air, Jet2…) for our summer trip and I’m not sure I saw one that would allow both your carry-on and your under-seater. Have you found that you’ve had to check your carry-on and, if not, I’d love to know who you fly with between countries within Europe. Thank you. Wishing you a wonderful adventure!
Hi. I’ve asked this before, but you didn’t answer, so I am asking again. Regarding liquids, how do you have them in your cosmetic bag? Don’t you have to have them in the clear quart size bag? I remember in a post long ago, you had full size shampoo/conditioner in your underseater and I wondered how you got that through security? The toiletries are always the most difficult thing to pack for me, so I wonder if I am making too big of a deal of it, but it seems like they always make me take out the quart size bag of liquids.
I wondered that too. That quart size allowance was not made with women in mind – I struggle with it. I always carry my liquids in the ziplock because even though the airline and airport that I use the most leaving home doesn’t require me to take them out (they have the Smiths Detection scanners), I usually don’t know what the airport I’m flying home from uses.
I just recently traveled and I had a clear cosmetic bag inside my carry-on. As long as they can see the bottles on the x-ray machine they usually let it go through. I have never been stopped when doing it this way. Hope this helps!
I get around the liquid issue by bringing on as many things in bar form as possible. I recently found my favorite bar shampoo and conditioner made locally and that is my go-to for my carry on. Using toothpaste Bites and keeping as much makeup as possible powder makes it pretty easy to stay in a quart container. I use a tinted sunscreen from Fre for my foundation and that does double duty. I don’t worry about things like hand moisturizer or lip gloss being in the quart bag – I just keep them in my purse/ backpack and they never have stopped me. If your airport has a Smiths Detection scanner always try to get in that line. You don’t have to remove anything from your bag with it.
What do you do with souvenir shopping? Have any extra space in your packing or just don’t shop
I have been following for years. I remember well your first summer excursion and how cool it sounded . They just keep getting better!!! How many children are going on this trip? Can’t wait to follow along!
Safe travels!
❤️Kathy Dowda-Taylor
I bought the under seater bag. Where do you put your laptop? Thinking of returning because I don’t see a spot for it.
This article was so helpful and I ordered a few of your suggested items. I’m looking for suggestions to carry passport, phone, money for a teen boy.
Have you heard of Walker Family Goods bags? They’re incredible quality and have a variety of sizes of belt bags, backpacks, totes and duffels for travel. Theyre full of pockets, zippers are crazy sturdy and theyre waterproof! Come in all colors too! Check them out!