The art of packing light
How to prepare a carry-on to a T
I’m not one to adopt “capsule wardrobes” in my life. I understand the appeal of not being overwhelmed by choices, but it just seems a little… limiting. However, this changes completely when when we’re talking about packing for a trip.
An edited, thought out selection that fits in a carry-on bag makes life easier while staying in style, and opting for pieces that are multi-tasking and easy to combine just seems like the natural choice when you don’t want to spend precious vacation time choosing what to wear.
1: Plan it out
First step for a successful packing experience is laying out your plan. How many days will it last? What will the weather be like? What are the events and activities you already have planned? All these questions will serve as a guide to the selection of pieces you’ll take with you.
2: Build your base
Once you have your plan in mind it’s time to start making some choices. I always begin by defining a color palette: I’ll usually go for neutrals with one or two more fun shades. This helps with the versatility factor. If you’re restricted to a carry-on, try to resist the urge to pack pieces you can only wear once and, since we’re talking about a Summer trip, you can prioritise items that aren’t voluminous in order to maximise space. To get my point across, I’ve created an edit of pieces I would take on a 5-day trip, that would fit in a carry-on:
You can see I opted for a color palette composed by rusty red, brown and neutrals. These are shades that not only go great among themselves, but also will be easy to style with any new pieces you might decide to buy during your trip.
We have 6 tops, 3. bottoms and 2 dresses, paired with some versatile accessories. Draped tops like these from Banana Republic and Modern Citizen are a great choice because they look sophisticated and elevate more basic trousers or skirts. Linen shirts are a must for summer getaways, and these from Banana Republic and J. Crew will go from lunch to shore with no effort.
When choosing a bathing suit, I’m loving options that can also be worn in other non beach-related situations: this one from J. Crew comes in a variety of colors, and paired with a more dressed-up bottom will look ultra-chic. The temptation to just pack every color of the rainbow is strong, but if you want to introduce some print to the mix, go for something that is still in the same color family: this blouse from Farm Rio is cheerful but still within that palette we defined in the beginning.
In terms of bottoms, I’d say it’s even more important to opt for versatile, “wear-with-anything” pieces. A pair of linen pull-on shorts, such as this one from Madewell, is comfortable but a little more dressy that a denim version. A pair of high-waisted trousers add a sartorial twist to your wardrobe, but when done in a linen can also act as an element of cool, effortless elegance. Take advantage of this moment to bet on quintessentially summery silhouettes: the wrap skirt is feminine, easy and says tropical vibes like nothing else.
And can a holiday without dresses even be called a holiday? To avoid overpacking, go for options that can be worn day and night, with heels of flats. This white Banana Republic draped dress is refined, yet easy enough to wear to a casual situation. This stunning number from Reformation has romantic lines and a striking color: for a boho-chic daytime approach you can wear it with simple flats and a woven bag, but pair it with metallic heeled sandals and statement earrings and you have yourself a true summer goddess outfit.
For accessories that take up more space, like shoes an bags, the same rule applies: go for pieces that pair well with any look. I’m not a fan of sneakers, but if that’s your thing, by all means add it to the mix. Just make sure it’s a light-weight style, that can be worn with shorts and skirts without looking chunky (Italians love Supergas for this purpose). I personally prefer flat sandals, and these T-strap metallic ones ALWAYS come with me for the holidays. The minimalist style makes it appropriate for the day, but the golden tone also carries it into the evening seamlessly. And some slides in a more refined fabric, like leather, linen or raffia, pair equally well with a swimsuit or a pretty dress. If you want to pack heels, I’d opt for a comfortable height. A lot of people would also bet on espadrilles, and if you can check your bag or wear them during the flight, I think it’s a great option. But in a carry-on they end up taking up a lot of space, while these brown wedges look a bit more elegant and less bulky. I love a bag that can accompany be throughout the whole day: this woven option from Anthropologie can be worn as a cross-body or as a clutch.
3: Add a personal touch
Now that you’ve made the effort to be practical and resist the temptation to pack everything in your wardrobe, is time to have some fun! You can add some personality and unexpected elements through smaller accessories and jewelry. Belts and scarves are effective finishing touches and take up basically zero luggage space. Using bold jewelry to lift more basic shapes and colors is a great strategy to achieve a more luxurious final result. And remember you can always get these pieces in your destination as well: it’s a lovely way to celebrate the local culture and build your arsenal of unique items.
4: Tricks of the trade
Pack a foldable extra bag in your carry-on. Not only will it allow you to enjoy some shopping at your destination, but you won’t be as inconvenienced if it gets momentarily lost. And since it will be checked only upon your return, you’ll save money on luggage fees. I will always have a Longchamp Les Pliages foldable bag in my carry-on!
Everyone has tips on how to optimise space: rolling your items, using vacuum bags… I like using packing cubes. They keep things organised and sectioned.
Keep your beauty items to a minimum and take products that have small packaging. You really don’t need that 16-color eye palette or 7 different lipstick shades.
If your destination doesn’t have an iron available, pack a travel steamer. I know, I know… it’s a bit bulky, but having good-looking, creaseless clothes is much more important than an extra pair of shoes. Luckily there are a lot of tiny options on the market: this foldable version is the one I have and use it everyday, not only when travelling. But this more vertical one has also peaked my interest. It’s shaped almost like a hairbrush, so probably fits right into the bottom of your bag.