Packing for Two Weeks in a Carry-On

I haven’t owned a suitcase larger than a carry-on in over 10 years and traveling light has not only become a point of pride but it has liberated the way I travel. Not to mention the saved baggage fees and the time I gain by not having to wait for bags at the carousel. As I gear up for another busy season of travel, I figured there was no better time to share some of my tips for packing in a carry-on. Armed with these tips, and wee bit of planning, you too can comfortably pack for a two-week trip using only a carry-on suitcase (I promise!).

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Here's your guide to conquering the carry-on!

Selecting Baggage

• Invest in a quality bag with maximal space: Look for a sturdy bag with lots of interior space. Consider the size of the bag and if you can, opt for one that is the maximize size allowed (every inch counts). I also chose one that had an expandable section - this gives me comfort to know I can expand the bag (and check it) if I buy a few too many souvenirs on a trip. There are many options that fit the bill; after some research I purchased a carry-on from Away a few years ago. I have been very happy with my choice - it’s not only spacious but has proven to hold up well after many trips. Tip: Away has a generous return policy, I ordered my bag before a busy few months of travel so I could thoroughly test it within the return window.

• Utilize your personal item: A personal item gives you extra space for packing. Look for a bag that has lots of pockets for organization and will be easy to carry/maneuver with your luggage. I’ve used an MZ Wallace bag (similar here) for years, but honestly find the strap doesn’t stay on my shoulder well when I’m rushing through an airport. An alternative, that has been a go to for a friend for years, is the O.G. 2 bag by Lo & Sons. I’ve been doing research and am seriously considering switching to a backpack; I’ve been eyeing a Tom Bihn backpack.

• Pack an extra bag: Slip a lightweight foldable tote into your bag in case you need even more space on your return flight. If you need to, you can always check your luggage and use the bonus tote as your carry-on to get souvenirs home. You can have any slim tote you might own. I received this tote as a gift many years ago and it’s been great, here’s a lower cost alternative.

Planning Outfits

• Create a capsule wardrobe: Choose a color palette and stick to it as it will allow you to maximum the combinations of all of your pieces and create more outfits than you need for the trip. It is completely okay to rewear items on a trip and by packing a capsule, you may repeat pieces but you won’t necessarily repeat outfits.

• Prioritize versatility: Pack items that can be layered or dressed up or down. Every piece should be able to be styled or worn several ways for maximum options when traveling. Pieces that can be layered also help you adjust to whatever climate you may encounter on your trip.

• Limit shoes: Shoes are heavy and bulky. Opt to take only 2-3 pairs of your most comfortable and versatile shoes on the trip. Wear the bulkiest pair on the plane and pack the other pairs.

• Make notes and adjust your packing list: While I’m on my trip, I use the Notes app on my phone to record what outfits I actually wore while on the trip and what I didn’t need. After a couple of trips, I was able to narrow down what I really needed to pack. I keep the final list on my phone and reference every time I travel.

I’m sharing my sample packing list for a 12 to 14 day trip. With this robust list, you won’t need to wear anything more than twice. If you’re traveling for fewer days, you can pack less, leaving more space for souvenirs:

• 6 tops

• 4 bottoms (jeans, leggings, shorts, skirts)

• 1-2 dresses

• 1-2 sweaters/light jackets

• 1-2 pairs of shoes (comfortable walking shoes and one nicer pair)

• Undergarments

• 1-2 accessories (purse, scarf, hat)

• 1 set of pajamas

• Not to mention toiletries, electronics and chargers, and needlepoint - but more on this later.

• If traveling in winter, leverage the undergarment and accessory categories for things like tight, base layers, as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves. Opt to wear a heavy coat and snow boots on the plane.

• If traveling in summer, opt for more tops and less dresses/sweaters to ensure you have fresh items throughout your trip.

Packing Tips

While limiting the items you pack is important, packing your items efficiently is crucial. I maximize space in my bag a few ways.

• Roll your clothes: Rolling clothes saves space and minimizes wrinkles.

• Use packing cubes: Packing cubes help organize your belongings and keep your suitcase neat and tidy. They also can help condense the amount of space your items take up in your luggage. Bonus use: If you’re moving a lot from hotel to hotel, I find it helpful to pack a “next stop cube” to help minimize the amount of packing and repacking you need to do at each stop.

• Strategize plane outfit: Especially when I’m traveling somewhere with colder weather, I try to maximize luggage space by wearing bulkier items on the plane.

• Shrink Toiletries: Travel-sized toiletries are your best friend. I also have invested in some small sized items to help reduce the space they take up in my luggage. They include items like a travel razor, travel hairbrush, and mini straightener (dual voltage perfect for trips abroad). I also always pack a gallon-sized zipper bag and dissolvable laundry sheets, which are great if you need to do some light laundry to make it through the trip.

• Leave room for souvenirs: I shared a few ways you can maximize your bags in the event you want to check a bag on return. But, it’s always good to leave a little space in your bag for souvenirs when packing to avoid having to check luggage.

Traveling with Needlepoint

I know that many people would consider this an essential item, but it’s worthy of its own category.

• Be realistic: Think carefully about how much time you will have to stitch on your trip and try to limit projects to what you can realistically accomplish while you are away. I’ll often load a movie, book, or podcast onto my device so if I do run out of needlepoint, I have back up entertainment. Sometimes if I have a canvas I’ve been putting off stitching, I’ll take it on a trip so it is my only option and thus force myself to finish it out. That won’t work for everyone but works for me.

• Pick projects with similarities: I will often travel with several canvases that are in a series of canvases or that are for the same holiday. This allows me to use one set of threads across several canvases and cut down on threads packed. If I don’t have a series or holiday canvases that I want to stitch, I will opt for canvases that are similar size. This allows me to take only one set of bars and reduce the amount of space needlepoint takes up in my personal items.

• Stitch a belt: I think belts are really the dream travel project, so much so that I’ve sung their praises in a past post.

Final Thought: Traveling light can be a rewarding experience. With careful planning and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy a two-week adventure without the extra baggage. What are your best packing tips (needlepoint or otherwise!)?