Is anyone else suddenly paralyzed by indecision when they have to pack for a trip? You’re not alone. There’s something about packing for a short trip that fills me with the undeniable urge to overpack because of the what-if scenarios that circle my mind. However, if your space is limited, then you don’t have the room to pack the shirt you might need that only goes with one outfit. It takes some finessing to really make the most of your carry-on and use your space wisely.

As someone who travels domestically and internationally with a carry-on, these are my packing tips to help you pack the perfect carry-on and kick your overpacking habits to the curb.

Pick the right carry-on for your trip.

Which side are you on for the rolling suitcase versus carrying bag debate? The TTLT team is divided pretty evenly on this one. For longer trips, I’m definitely team rolling suitcase. But for a shorter trip - 4 days or less - I’m on team carrying bag all the way. I love the ease and efficiency. My top weekender bag choice is the Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe. (It’s also currently 40% off!)

This bag is the best weekender bag I’ve used. It has great structure and even though I pack it to the brim, it still feels light and easy to carry. The bottom compartment for shoes and other items is a game changer. I love the front zipper pocket for slipping in cords or anything I need easy access to. It fits easily in the overhead bins on airplanes and if you also have a rolling suitcase, it has a side strap to secure it to the handle so it can sit on top of your suitcase. Just to show how great this bag is, the flight attendant on one of my trips stopped me and asked about my bag because she loved how structured it was and said she hadn’t found a bag like that before.

Write down the outfits you’re planning on wearing for each day.

I print out my itinerary, old school style, and then based on the activities for the day, I write down what outfit I’m going to wear. That way, I can make sure to pack a dress if I’m going out to a nice dinner or tennis shoes if I know I’m going to do a lot of walking. I plan out all of my outfits and then I start laying out each outfit to make sure I have everything I need before I start packing.

Another way to do this is by making a list ahead of time of each individual item you want to pack. Kathryn, our Heart of Italy Host, makes a list of the items she definitely wants to bring and then checks it off the list once it’s in the suitcase so then as she packs she doesn’t second-guess herself. She’s confident that she packed what she needed. This also prevents any future panicking and unpacking in order to double-check.

Pack your clothes tightly.

I like to roll my clothes instead of folding them because it gives me more room in my bag and keeps my clothes from wrinkling. I often use packing cubes to help keep my clothes organized as well. Another tip from Kathryn is she puts her clothes in dry cleaning bags and then rolls them which helps keep her clothes from wrinkling.

If you are packing a carry-on and are worried about not having enough clothes, my ultimate tip is to do a load of laundry in the middle of your trip. Pack a few Tide pods in a ziploc bag or pick some up when you get to your destination. It makes all the difference and it extends your outfit options without having to bring a bigger or heavier bag.

Written by Emme Parrish, Marketing Manager

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