When you are preparing for a 2 weeks vacation, you have to think about all the possibilities in what is concerning what you will be wearing these days. What if it’s cold? What if it gets sunny? What if you need a dress for dinner or something more business? And besides, you have to fit everything in a standard, airline-approved carry-on. Here is some advice to help you solve this problem fast and efficiently. First of all the ideal carry-on should have “crazy wheels” and tons of pockets. Be sure you check on the size and weight limitations of your airline.
Directions: Start by planning your outfits to get you through a week and plan to do the laundry mid-trip. Pack four pairs of pants: colored jeans, skinny jeans, boyfriend capris, and shorts (not too short). Continue with one maxi skirt and one dress. Six tops should be enough: long sleeves, a basic V-neck tee, a black camp shirt, a chambray button-down, and a tank are just some options you can choose from. Three jackets: jeans, a military, and a rain jacket should be enough. Three pairs of shoes: flat sandals, heels, and some walking shoes. Accessories: belts (not more than three), two scarves should be enough, and a few cheap necklaces. Also pack some underpants, undershirts and some socks or tights.
How will you manage to put all of these into your bag? Start by folding and then rolling each piece as tight as possible. This way your clothes won’t get too many wrinkles. When done, put everything in some packing cubes you can buy from any store. Don’t forget you should be wearing on the plane and road an outfit out of those mentioned above. Make sure you fill in every void in your luggage with belts shoes and socks. In the end, you will see you can even put some rubber boots on top of everything. For the toiletries, kindle, and makeup you should also take a tote bag.
Source: littlehousebigheart.
Keep being AllDayChic!
Hi 🙂
This is fantastic for persons like me, I never know what and how to pack. Would you just share with us dimensions of bag you used.
Thank you so much and keep on writing 🙂
I would add 2 1-gallon ziplock bags. I put dirty laundry in them and roll them up squeezing out the air so that my clean clothes don’t smell. They are also great if it rains and clothes get wet and you don’t have time to dry them.
this isn’t exactly related, but where did you get your suitcase from? It’s so cute!
Jessica from ‘LittleHouseBigHeart’ took it from Tuesday Morning.
Love your suitcase! What brand is it? Also, very helpful packing guide.
The brand is London Fog. Thank you!
And it weights in at? At 8kg allowed for South African Airways, passengers are permitted more than most airlines, but I would have trouble getting the weight down.
I love your packing ideas, but how do you solve the problem of (1) toiletries, (2) electronics – laptop, tablet, phone, camera and (3) hair dryer or not?
I was thinking the same thing! How do you fit enough toiletries for 2 weeks into the bag and stay within the airline restrictions?
She mentioned at the end of the post she also took a tote bag, that was used for toiletries, makeup, electronics etc. 🙂
What about the weight issue? I did this… actually got everything into a backpack smaller then carry on size by using packing cubes but i had to check my carry on anyways cause it was apparently too heavy… cant get away from weight anymore.
That’s a lot of clothes. I can get by with 3 trousers, 4 tops, 2 shoes (1 sandals doubling up for evening wear, one walking shoes), and so on. I find it’s the same for two weeks as for six months.
I’ve travelled to Europe from Canada many times with just a carry on and totebag. This is a great packing list but I would remove a few items. For instance, I would bring only one jacket or cozy sweater and only two pair of shoes (ditch the heels and you wear the heaviest pair on the plane). Rather than a maxi skirt I would bring a knee length skirt (in fact I bring 3 skirts but no shorts). I don’t bring jeans as they are heavier to pack. I wear dressy leggings and a t-shirt dress on the plane (I like the comfort of pajamas but a nice look when I land.
As for the toiletries, bring travel size. If you need more, then you are using too much product. But if you are travelling for more than two weeks, half way through the trip fill your shampoo and conditioner with water to stretch it out or use hotel product. If you are staying in hotel you won’t need a hair dryer.
The tote bag is for electronics (I only bring a tablet that I load up with reading material and travel information and my point and shoot camera), toiletries (until I get through security and then put in my suitcase- other than makeup and contact lens solution). If I travel Air Canada I don’t need to bring a blanket or pillow but a pashmina is Handy as the plane gets cold.