I tend to usually overpack when I have the luxury to do so–the inside of our SUV on a road trip is crammed with all the things! But when convenience or money is involved and I have to limit myself I know just how to carry light.
When my husband and I decided to do two weeks in Europe by ourselves I learned all the tips and tricks to getting everything I needed into ONE bag. I spent weeks packing and unpacking my Osprey backpack to make sure I could get the essentials in there because we refused to be held down by too much luggage or have to wheel our suitcase along cobblestone.
So the next time you have a flight or are on the road, try these three simple but effective tips to pack lighter and I promise you’ll enjoy the freedom that comes with bringing less.
Tip #1 - Buy It Later
Surprised? This tip is about creating space in your luggage for what you will need immediately. For example, I have an infant and a toddler and I do NOT have the room to bring all the diapers, pull ups and wipes in our suitcase. So, I pack the supply I know will get us to our destination (plus a few extras) and buy them when we get to our “home base”.
You can swing by the store or take advantage of all the delivery services and have the items waiting for you!
For Europe I didn’t have room in my backpack for a scarf and crossover bag (and forgot to put them on for the airport) so I bought them while we were in Germany. They were super useful and became fun souvenirs that I still use!
Tip #2 - Stay Organized
This is where my lists come in handy! I usually write down everything I need before I even start packing so I don’t forget the important items, especially the ones we use right up until we need to leave. Checklists also relieve some of the mental load of having to remember everything (helpful for moms packing for multiples!).
I also use some sorting and dividing systems, whether you use packing cubes or your own inventions. For suitcase carry-ons, packing cubes are convenient and fit really well to utilize as much space as you can. Whenever I use my Osprey backpack I use mesh bags or Ziploc baggies in different sizes to divide my clothes from bathroom items.
Bonus Tip: Put all your 3 oz liquids together in a see through case and store in a convenient place to make going through security quicker and less stressful.
Tip #3 - Mix & Match
Last but not least–you might have to wear the same piece of clothing more than once! Men are great at this, women…not so much. BUT with the right wardrobe, each outfit can feel like new.
For Europe my staple items were a chambray button down, a gray sweater, black leggings, jeans, a jacket, a light Columbia rain jacket, a plaid shirt, one pajama set, and a few single color shirts. Every piece of clothing could easily be mixed matched to make a new outfit each time.
Accessories, like a scarf or earrings (light and small) also help make an outfit look different.
And as for shoes–I only brought two. A black Sperry rain boot that was also great for hiking and went with all my clothes and a light pair of tennis shoes to stay comfortable walking around the cities.
Note: your choice of clothing will also depend on your destination. For cooler locations, make sure you bring items that easily layer. For beach destinations, I recommend two swimsuits so you always have one that is dry and one nicer outfit for an ocean view restaurant (men usually forget this one and only have t-shirts and shorts on hand).
Less is More
When you’re ready to pack your bag, you can always do a couple of test runs to see how everything is fitting. And remember, if you plan on bringing back a lot of souvenirs, you need to leave space on the way there, or like I’ve done before, chuck a couple things out on the way back!
Packing light does not always come naturally, but with a little practice you can be traveling with ease and a much lighter load. Who doesn’t want to feel like they have more freedom while traveling the world?!
FREE PRINTABLE
To make it even easier for you to do your packing, I've included my free packing list printable! Click on the link below for your free pdf.
Comment with your favorite packing tips below!
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