How to: Pack like a pro

Hi hi everybody and welcome back to the blog. This week I’m traveling to Brussels for three days so I thought it would be nice to put together a quick blog on how to pack efficiently and travel with a carry-on. I also filmed a video going over these tips, so if you prefer to watch a video on this topic, head over to my Youtube channel to check it out :D The video will be live on my channel this Thursday. I post new videos on health, fitness and food every Thursday. 

So, as far as the tips go, I generally break down packing into four categories: clothing, accessories, toiletries and packing it all up. 

Clothing: Stick to one color scheme. If all of the clothes that you pack follow the same color palette (i.e. neutrals, blue and greens, reds and pinks, etc.) you will be able to mix and match any combination of top and bottom during your trip. This also helps out loads when one piece is dirty, because you can simply swap it out for something clean that will still match. I’d also recommend packing a plastic bag in your carry-on to store your dirty clothes. This will help keep the clean separate from the dirty and will make it easy to transport the dirty clothes to the laundromat should you decide to go :)

For shoes, I generally recommend one pair that can be worn during day (i.e. comfortable and matches your color scheme), one fancy pair for night activities and then one sporty pair if you plan to workout. This tip can be adapted to the season as well (e.g. summer sandal for day or strappy sandal at night). Find what works for you but try to plan out which shoes you’re sure to wear ahead of time.

The last tip for clothing is to wear the bulkiest pieces onto the plane. As I am traveling to Brussels in February, I am planning to wear the biggest sweater and scarf with me to 1) save space in my luggage, and 2) to stay warm during the frigid flight. 

Accessories: Bring many pieces that match with all of the clothes you are bringing. Accessories take up very little space and can upgrade any outfit. I also include scarves, belts and purses in this category. 

Toiletries: Buy travel-sized versions of your favorite products. Almost every drug store carries miniature versions of popular shampoos, conditioners, face wash and body lotions. Try to buy things that can be multi-purpose (i.e. coconut oil as a both a makeup remover and face oil). You can always buy more at your destination if you run out/ are there for longer. Remember that all of your liquids have to be able to fit into the TSA approved plastic bag, so practice the Rubik’s cube combination that makes everything fit before you leave for the airport. 

For my ladies, dry shampoo is your best friend. I recently discovered that they now make a travel-sized can of dry shampoo and it has now become a staple in my travel toiletries. Washing your hair every 2-3 days is good for the natural oils in your hair, and it means that you won’t run through your shampoo and conditioner as quickly. My trick for making the most of dry shampoo-ed hair is to master a few braids and twists. Putting your hair up will not only disguise the fact that it’s not washed, but it can also make you look a bit fancier ;) 

Packing: Roll up your clothes. This not only saves a ton of space but it also reduces the chance of your clothes wrinkling and allows you to better see all that you packed. Jeans actually take up more space when rolled, in my experience, so I leave them folded flat to line the bottom of the suitcase. Shoes are also quite bulky so I’d recommend putting them down first on the sides of the bag and then using your rolled clothes to fill the rest of the spaces. 

While all of your clothes and shoes should be able to fit into the carry-on, I’d recommend bringing another small handbag or backpack for the essentials. I always travel with a small backpack and use it to store my computer, wallet, phone, passport, a book and my toiletries. Anything that needs to be taken out for security should be kept in this bag for easy access and to maximize airport efficiency. 

Packing is not complicated and traveling with a carry-on is not impossible. With a little thought and preparation, you can travel light and with the confidence that you have all you need. Part of the benefit of traveling is that we are leaving our home to explore a new place, meaning that you don’t have to bring your entire home with you on your back. Bring the essentials because you will ultimately be returning to the comforts of home at the end of your trip. Plus, if you really need something why not buy it in your new location, it would make for a great souvenir. 

What are your thoughts on packing and traveling light? Any tips that I missed that you live by? Please leave a comment down below and let’s start a thread going.

Until next week!

xoxo,

Alexandra