Laura the explora: the blog

There is some level of art, experience, and skill required in order to pack perfectly for any trip on the other side of a plane flight. Unless you require a bunch of specifically unique outfits (think, fancy events or heavy snow equipment) or you’re traveling with kids, I can’t really think of a reason why you can’t fit everything you need into what’s allotted to each passenger already:

• (1) carry on luggage bag (dimensions may vary by airline)
• (1) personal item (like a large purse, average backpack or small duffle bag)

With that said, there is a strategy that goes into what I like to call, the “turtle method,” which is to carry everything you need directly on your being. In theory, it doesn’t actually have to be strapped onto your back; a rolling bag would also work fine so long as it’s carry-on sized, but the concept is the same: everything you have is with you at all times. I choose to wear everything on my back because rolling a bag down cobblestone streets and up staircases is a pain in the ass and I’d rather be hands-free so I can easily grab my paperwork or take a swig of water. Your preference is yours.

Having fewer items to keep track of is ideal, and it also means you have less to lose. I would also argue carrying around less stuff keeps you safer and makes you less of a target for people who might be interested in the stuff you have. You are able to move around faster because you’re not weighed down by or attached to a giant boulder-of-a-bag. The major downside that makes the process difficult and sometimes impractical is there’s usually some sort of item sacrifice you have to make in order to get everything to fit in such a small amount of space, such as an extra pair of shoes or your favorite overcoat.

It just means you have to get creative.

Depending on the length of your trip and determining what type of weather you have to prepare for, you will need to pack very different things, but the formula is going to be the same, no matter what.

THE CAPSULE WARDROBE!

Search for it on Pinterest or maybe somewhere on the website of your favorite fashion blogger, and see the examples people have already put together. You can find weekend to month long combinations for any season out there somewhere.

The idea behind the capsule wardrobe is that every item matches (mostly) everything else and you can dress things up or down, and add or remove layers to cope with various temperatures, environments, and occasions. This usually means you’ll be wearing a lot of neutrals, and some other pops of color or style perhaps by accessories and other bold pieces. Wearing things more than once before washing it has to also be something you are okay with. Most items can be worn a few different days so long as they don’t get too dirty or start to smell. Outfit repeating is something I have heard people complain about in the past but I think it is a brilliant way to live life because it can take a lot of stress out of the getting dressed process. If fast fashion and being stylish aren’t of utmost concern to you, it will be even easier to fit everything inside one bag. 😉

Initially when I first started experimenting with the capsule wardrobe, I wanted a visual of everything together so I drew each piece of clothing individually so I could see the items next to each other, and my imagination could take it from here.

Drawing isn’t for everyone though. I totally get it.

My technique has since evolved into a less visual form.

If you remember anything about probability and combinations from math class, the following technique might be triggering BUT it can also help you organize all your ideas in a way that is easier than taking a photo of yourself in each outfit or photoshopping your outfits one at a time. Now I’ll typically make a list that looks something like this:

And then I can write what each different pairing includes:

Some other tips that may help you make the most of your carry-on space are as follows:

• Wear your largest, bulkiest items onto the plane, like boots and your largest jacket. These things would otherwise take up a massive amount of space inside your bag, and technically you don’t even have to wear it the whole time. You can always shed a layer if you’re feeling too warm, and many people take their shoes off on the plane anyway!
• Packing cubes!! I am absolutely obsessed with them. They’re great for keeping your bag organized so it’s not a dirty clothes hamper looking mess after a few days. There is also such a thing as compression packing cubes in case you want to fit more stuff, although you will also have to make some room for the air compressor and more stuff will make the bag heavier. You’ve been warned.
• Shoes are filled with wasted space, literally. It’s just air in there. Shove your socks into them or maybe even some toiletries, perhaps a fragile item. The structure of the shoe may even protect things from breaking if you use the space wisely!

Do you have any other tips for packing light? Share them in the comments below!

Happy traveling! 😃