I’m hitting the road, again. Between work trips, weddings, and family gatherings, I’ve been away for at least one to two weeks every month. Nearly half the year living out of a suitcase.
Since I have a couple more trips are on the horizon, here are my go-to tips for traveling light, avoiding panic shopping, and making the most of every outfit.
Tip 1: Travel with carry-on only
My #1 tip for traveling light? Carry-on only. Always.
It forces you to be intentional about what you bring and use—a nice antidote to the estimated 100 billion clothing items produced each year, most of which sit unworn. And it spares you the misery of lugging a checked bag up the metro steps in Paris or discovering your suitcase went to Miami while you went to Madrid.
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My go-tos:
Tumi Voyageur Just In Case® Tote — light, wipeable, and indestructible (five years, still looks new). It easily fits my laptop, books, toiletries, snacks, water bottle and more. Bonus: it folds flat in your suitcase for trips when you know you’ll need to check an extra bag on the way home.
Away The Carry-On — six years, nearly 100 flights, and only a few scuffs. It’s light, durable and a great size for trips up to two weeks—plus it has a lifetime warranty. If I could redo it, I’d get The Bigger Carry-On like Tom’s so I can stop stealing his. (I’ve had no issues with the larger size fitting into overhead bins!)
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Packing cubes? I skip them in favor of what I have on hand like cloth garment bags and pouches (Save all the fabric covers and pouches you receive! They’re great for storing shoes or underwear.) If I bring a large hat, I use a hat clip.to secure it to my tote.
Tip 2: Pack for the person you actually are
You are not a new person on vacation! Maybe after you leave your destination, but not before.
As I was packing for my two-week trip back home to Nova Scotia, I shared a few potential outfits with the group chat. Comfort is still a priority, especially for low-key getaways like a cottage trip, so I’ve found ways to dress comfy that suit my style without involving leggings.
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Pack the clothes you actually wear and love. The ones that work for multiple occasions, whether you’re going from meetings to dinner or from a pool day to a beach-side dinner. Prioritize both fit and comfort so you feel put-together, confident, and your pieces work for every phase of your trip.
Tip 3: Pre-plan all your outfits (yes, all of them)
I know this sounds intense. Hear me out!
Getting dressed up is one of the reasons I love travelling. It’s an opportunity to dress for the location and tap into different aspects of your personality you might not get to express at home. I plan looks for each activity: a wedding guest outfit, a thrifting outfit, a “wander around the city” outfit.
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Like uniform dressing, this front-loads the decision fatigue so mornings on your trip are effortless—throw on a vetted outfit and head straight to that cute coffee shop you bookmarked!
Plus, it curbs the “I didn’t pack the right thing” panic that leads to impulse shopping. Considering 50% of impulse purchases end up unworn or barely worn, that’s a win for your wallet and the planet.
Plus, it’s fun. Playing in my closet before a trip challenges my creativity and gives my clothes the wear they deserve.
When the average article of clothing is only worn 7 times a year, trips are a chance to push that number up (and it renders vacation hauls unnecessary).
Don’t want to plan every outfit? Pack a couple of your favorite pieces that work for different scenarios so you can be ready for any type of activity. This is where my Proenza cutout dress comes in! Equally perfect for a fancy dinner or heading to the ballet.
Tip 4: Make sure your event wear arrives
Weddings, formal dinners, big events—these outfits live in my carry-on, always. It’s the stress-free way to ensure your formal outfit arrives with you.
I roll them and then tuck them in a garment bag to avoid any stains or rips. I also pack my travel steamer so I can freshen them up on arrival.
No waiting for a hotel iron or panic-buying a sad “emergency dress,” which will probably get worn once before becoming textile waste. In the U.S. alone, 11 million tons of clothing end up in landfills each year.
Tip 5: Accept last-minute purchases, but make it count
Sometimes you forget a sweater. Sometimes the weather flips. It happens. Old me panicked or blamed myself for “wasteful” shopping. New me? I accept it and shop slowly, even in a rush. I ask myself the same questions I always do when shopping:
- Is it made from natural fibers?
- Will I wear it again?
- Does it mix well with what I already own?
On my last trip to Ontario, temps dropped to 38°F (3°C) and I was seriously unprepared. I needed an extra layer to wear to wedding events, and I had 1 hour to do it before we headed out of town.
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I popped into a store I knew would have a high probability of options and stuck to my three questions:
✅ Cardigan in 100% cotton
✅ Great fit and lightweight so I’ll wear it again
✅ Fun crochet-style knit fits with my wardrobe & Austin weather
I bought it, wore it, and loved it! It came with me to Nova Scotia and it’s currently packed as my extra layer for New York. No regret, no waste. It’s already been worn six times!
My Travel Favorites
A roundup of the products that have survived nearly 100 flights with me and earned a permanent spot in my carry-on. Visit my Shopmy for all of my recommendations.
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How do you pack? Are you team carry-on or a checked bag or bust traveler? Hit reply—I’d love to know!
Before you go
🛍️ Interested in curated picks? Visit my ShopMy for my faves and discount codes.
💃 Looking for an outfit for an event? Rent my wardrobe on By Rotation.
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