Ultimate Carry-On Packing Guide For Women
One of the most stressful parts of traveling happens before you even reach your destination… and that is packing.
Think about that panic that sits in while staring at the mountain of clothes before you. That feeling of “will this all fit in my suitcase?” and “even with everything here, will I forget something important?”.
These questions that arise will not only be overwhelming but also often lead to overpacking. Enough of the stress and enough of the overpacking.
Be more at ease while spending less on luggage fees by packing in a carry-on only.
Packing Only in a Carry-On
HOW TO STOP OVERPACKING
When beginning your packing, initially it may feel like a never ending list of things you need to bring with you. You may be surprised by how little is actually needed to have an enjoyable trip.
Packing lighter or even downsizing from a checked bag to a carry-on is manageable and within reach!
PERKS OF PACKING LIGHT
Traveling with a checked bag may seem like the way to go. You have ample suitcase space and once the bag is checked, you no longer have to worry about it while in the airport. Contrarily, there are many perks to packing in just a carry-on that often go unseen.
QUICKER CONNECTIONS
When connecting from an international flight to domestic, you have to recheck your bags after going through customs. With carry-on only, you can go right through to security!
CUT THE COSTS
Some airlines charge through the nose for checked baggage! Save the cash for a souvenir or an extra scoop of gelato by skipping the checked bag.
NO MORE LOST LUGGAGE
Once that suitcase gets taken away on the conveyor belt, who knows when you’ll see it next.
DON’T START WITH THE SUITCASE
Starting with choosing the suitcase you want to pack in first may be a big reason you are overpacking. Many people think that packing for a big trip = bringing a big suitcase, but that doesn’t have to be the case!
By picking out a suitcase after you have everything laid out, you may realize that a carry-on is plenty of room for you!
Pack like a Pro in 3 Steps
PULL
PUSH
PACK
Easier said than done?
1a. Pull Clothes
Begin by pulling from your closet and drawers everything you’ll need for your
Favorite day of the trip
Most important day of the trip
Travel day
EX. FAVORITE DAY IN MEXICO
Imagine the most perfect day while traveling to you.
This day may look something like:
Yoga in the morning
Grabbing breakfast and groceries at the local market
Go on a street food tour
Lounge by the beach
Dinner and mezcal cocktails to round out the night
Waking up! - While Mexico is warm, it can cool down at night. A shorts and t-shirt pajama set and maybe a light sweat should work.
Yoga in the Morning - For morning yoga, grab a stretchy pair of pants and a sports top.
Breakfast at the Local Market - A flowy pair of pants and a simple top will be perfect.
Street Food Tour - No need to grab a new outfit! Wear whatever you wore to breakfast at the market.
Beach Break - A swimsuit, coverup, and towel are all that you need. Can your flowy pants from the street food tour work as a coverup?
Dinner and Cocktails - Stay comfortable and cute with a cotton dress and a cardigan for if it gets chilly.
Off to Bed! - Do you want to wear what you woke up in? Have a change of pajamas? Your call.
Wow! Sounds like quite the day. Now start to pull from your items what would work for each and every part of your day starting with what you will wake up in and ending with what you will wear to bed.
TIP: Remember that one piece of clothing can work in multiple situations. Reusing clothing can help you fit into your carry-on easily.
1b. Pull M.I.D (Most Important Day)
Do you have a specific activity you’ve planned while on your trip? Maybe you’re on this trip because of an event like a wedding or conference. Begin to pull what you need for the most important day of your trip.
This Most Important Day is a long hike to some freshwater springs and following up with a mezcal tasting. You’ll need to pull:
EX. MID DAY IN MEXICO
Items for Hiking - A moisture-wicking pair of athletic shorts and a versatile sports top. Top it off with a hat for sun protection. If it’s an early hike, a light jacket may also be needed. A pair of tennis shoes as well.
Items for Swimming in the Springs - A bathing suit is a must along with a pair of sandals.
Items for Mezcal Tasting - A pair of jean shorts are added here and the top and jacket from the hike can be reworn.
DON’T FORGET ACCESSORIES!
At this point, you have all you need to have a couple of fantastic days in Mexico. As you pack your clothing, be sure to add all of the accessories and extra items you’ll need in each step as well.
Shoes for each outfit
Do you really want to wear your walking sneakers to dinner? Be sure to add in the appropriate shoes for each part of your day.
Underwear for each outfit
There is always going to be the packer that finds 35 pairs of underwear for a weeklong trip, a comfortable number. While that might be overkill, make sure that you are packing the underwear you want for each specific day/outfit. Not every pair works with certain pants or activities. Save yourself the discomfort and pack with this in mind.
Accessories for each outfit and activity
Your wardrobe is more than just tops and bottoms. Be sure to pack the tote you want to bring with you to the market or the sunhat you just bought for the beach. Jewelry, hair accessories, sunglasses, and bags apply to this step as well!
Toiletries for your day
Begin with the products you use the moment you wake up to the last product you use before going to bed. While many everyday items are available to purchase at most destinations, it always feels good to be prepared and have familiar items. All body, face, and hair care products would be added here. Don’t forget sunscreen!
ASK THE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
It’s time to take a look at what you’ve laid out thus far and ask yourself these questions:
Do I need to add anything for my most important day?
Are there new shoes or accessories that need to be added for this day?
Do I need to add any toiletries such as special makeup or perfume that is needed for this day?
1c. Pull Travel Day
Packing for your travel day shouldn’t be an afterthought. Aside from your Most Important Day, a couple of your biggest days are your travel days. It is important to plan for these days so that you are comfortable and prepared.
Tip: To keep from overpacking, pull items for your travel day from clothing you have already set to pack.
The tank top that you had set out to wear on your Most Important Day hike and the leggings you have for yoga in the morning on your Favorite Day would be a perfect travel outfit base. Don’t forget underwear!
Travel Outfit Hacks
Wearing your bulkiest items on the plane is a great way to save space in your bags. Toss on the jacket you have set out and your hiking boots or tennis shoes to save space in your luggage.
Personal Item
Your travel day is more than just clothing! Pick a personal item to pack in that is versatile. Maybe you can reuse this bag as a beach bag or tote for the market. No need to pack a separate bag just for your travel day. The Tripped Travel Gear Daypack is a great lightweight option that is foldable and packable to save space when not in use!
Important Travel Documents
Before packing up, be sure you have all of your visas, passports, medications, electronics, and chargers ready for your travel day.
2. Push Through Panic
Trust the process. Take a breath. You have already packed with abundance!
When packing in a carry-on only, it is easy to get that feeling of leaving things behind that you may want with you.
REMEMBER
You’ve already packed for your Favorite Day, your Most Important Day, and your travel day. The essentials are already there!
2a: PULL WHAT-IFS
To help ease that panic of “what if it rains?” or “what if it’s chilly at night?” when packing for your destination, begin to grab your items that satisfy those worries.
This may be an umbrella or a cozy sweatshirt that you always reach for when you’re home.
Preparing for the Unexpected Without Overpacking
It’s okay to toss in items that will help you feel comfortable during this process! Maybe another outfit for if you choose to ditch the beach for the city or a couple of pairs of underwear because you never know…
3. Prepare to Pack
Looking at the pile of clothing in front of you may seem daunting, but not to worry. We also have a system to help get your pulled items packed away. Make a clean space like a made bed or an area on the floor to lay out all of your items.
Informal to Formal - Starting left to right, lay out your clothes from informal to formal in a row.
Top to Bottom - Lay your tops in a row from informal to formal at the top of your space. Your bottoms will go underneath your tops also laid now left to right, informal to formal
Shoes - Lay out the coordinating shoes also from least formal to formal at the very bottom of your space.
TIP: Laying your items across the bed will help you see exactly what you are planning to pack and visually make outfit combinations in your mind.
Ask yourself these questions:
Are you proud of what you’ve pulled?
What is the smallest bag you can pack these items in?
Do you feel abundant and prepared?
3A. SAVE SPACE WITH COMPRESSION CUBES
THE CARRY-ON SET
Designed perfectly for carry-on luggage. Use these to never overpack again!
No matter how well you strategically planned to start your packing, if you’re not packing with compression cubes, all of your hard work will be lost the minute you begin to rummage around your suitcase.
Compression cubes not only help you save space when you’re packing carry-on only, they also help you to stay organized!
CHOOSE ORGANIZATION STYLE
PACK BY ITEM
One way to pack using compression cubes is by putting all of your similar items into one cube. This is a great way to pack when you are doing similar activities during your entire trip.
Ex: One small cube for shirts, one large cube for pants
PACK BY ACTIVITY
Another way to pack in compression cubes is by packing by type of clothing needed for each event/activity you’ll be doing.
This type of packing is recommended for longer trips and for trips where you’ll be doing a variety of activities.
Ex: One small cube for hiking clothes, one large cube for city walking clothes.
3B. CHOOSE THE RIGHT LUGGAGE
Say good-bye to your old ways! The goal for this trip is to get you in a carry-on only (with a personal item). Are you planning on backpacking? Taking a small roller bag?
Based on the trip you are taking, decide what luggage will best suit your needs and that will give you the most flexibility during your trip. Have you ever tried taking a rolling suitcase down the streets of a rural beach town in Mexico? We don’t recommend it.
TIP: To keep your luggage from tipping over, your heaviest items need to be on the bottom of your bag. Start with your shoes then work up from your heaviest compression cubes to your lightest!
Keep your toiletries on top so they’re easy to pull out while going through security.
4. PACKING TOILETRIES IN A CARRY-ON
When packing toiletries in a checked bag, most things are able to go with you as long as they’re going underneath the plane. When packing toiletries in a carry-on, there are a few more rules that apply.
3-1-1 TSA Toiletry Rule
If traveling from US based airports, the 3-1-1 TSA Toiletry Rule will have the largest impact one what toiletries you can bring with you.
The 3-1-1 TSA toiletry rules:
3- Each container of liquids must be 3oz or smaller
1- All liquids must be in 1 clear, quart sized bag
1- Only 1 clear, quart sized bag per passenger
The best way to fool-proof packing your toiletries? Try out the Tripped Travel Gear Toiletry Set that comes complete with a 3-1-1 TSA Approved clear bag!
TIME FOR YOU TO TRY!
Ditch the luggage fees! It’s time to save money and time by packing in a carry-on only.
Don’t believe us? Check out Crosby Grace packing in a carry-on only for her trip to Mexico using the Tripped Packing System!
For a guide to the right way to pack:
