Picture this: you’re breezing through the airport, past the bag check line and right through security, while others struggle with oversized bags and outrageous (American what the heck??) fees. You land and already have all of your belongings with you and can stride right out of the airport and kickstart your vacation. No lost bag stress, no having to track your bag with AirTags and actually watching it get lost. That’s the magic of packing light and no, we’re not here to tell you to “pack basic clothes and colors”.

But let’s be real: fitting two and a half weeks’ worth of outfits into a carry-on sounds borderline impossible. A little strategy, a touch of style, and a packing method that maximizes space without sacrificing fashion is the secret.

I recently put this to the test on a trip to Turkey and Thailand, one climate cold in the evenings and one burning hot at all hours, and I’m sharing my ultimate packing formula that keeps you looking effortlessly put together while traveling light.

Understanding Your Destination

• Obviously the first step is not just checking the weather but actually understanding the climate when you plan to go.

• For places like Thailand – hot means hot. Like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Aim for light airy fabrics with minimal weight. Plan to sweat no matter what you wear.

• Plan ahead your activities – think you’ll go hiking, maybe horseback riding? Getting in a hot air ballon in the frigid morning air? You’ll need to pack strategically for all of these things even if you only wear it once.

Creating a Packing List

Here’s everything I packed for 2.5 weeks –

• 3 bathing suits

• 2 pair of shorts – blue and white

• 2 pair of pants – blue and white

• 2 jumpsuits

• 5 dresses

• 7 tops

• 2 pair of leggings

• 2 sports tops

• 1 pair of athletic shorts

• Pjs

• Tons of underwear and socks

• Strapless Bra & Nippies

• 1 bathing suit cover up

• 1 pair of sneakers to walk around in/travel in

• 1 pair of sandals

• 1 pair of “fun” shoes – opted for my golden gooses

• Toiletries

• Medications and vitamins – melatonin for the flight is a must

• MacBook, AirPods, chargers

• Book

• Eye mask

• Skincare – gotta take care of our skin when we travel!

• Scarf (to cover up when visiting temples)

• 1 Spring jacket

• 1 laundry bag

• Accessories

Packing Techniques

• So the list looks like a lot – here’s how I packed:

  • Use packing cubes to maximize space and maintain organization

  • ROLL YOUR CLOTHES. Don’t fold them. This also helps them not get so wrinkly.

  • Lay your jackets or chunky clothes flat, rolling them takes up too much space.

  • If you’re traveling somewhere cold – use compression packing cubes. A true game changer.

  • Plan outfit combinations for mixing and matching items. Bring items you can wear 2-3 times if needed.

  • Pack versatile items that can work in multiple climates – midi dresses with long sleeves for example. Jeans with a tank top.

  • Stuff your shoes with socks or other small items if you can

  • Put all of your “daily items” in your backpack so you can easily get to them during the flight. This is where I keep my chargers, book, extra set of clothes, computer, AirPods, eye mask, daily skincare etc. This will also help you split up your toiletries into smaller bags.

  • Wear your biggest shoes on the plane and a sweatshirt. The sweatshirt will keep you warm or act as a head rest, and it takes up a ton of room in your suitcase.

  • Bring fun jewelry to dress up your outfits.

Final Adjustments

• Lay out everything you want to bring before you pack. Take out 1-2 items that are a nice to have but not a necessity and be honest with yourself on what you’ll wear – ladies looking at you on this one because I too am a victim of “but I might wear it!”. I promise you won’t.

• Take out a pair of shoes – trust, you’ll be fine.

• Pack everything to test it out, remove things if you need and keep going. Don’t be afraid to roll things tight if needed and use all the space you can.

All in all you CAN travel with a carry on and it’s a much better experience than landing somewhere new and realizing your bag never made it so you have no clothes. If you want to explore a few areas during your vacation, it makes mobility so much easier than trying to drag around multiple suitcases.

Want help planning your next vacation or looking for packing tips? Reach out to us!