How to Avoid Overpacking for a Trip • The Blonde Abroad (2024)

It’s a few days before your trip and you’re revving to hit the road. Time to pack! How you pack depends so much on the destination and what type of travel you’re embarking on.

We’ve all packed a bit too much on our trips—whether it’s backup shoes or an extra iPad—which can make it difficult to lug that baggage around.

In general, there are few tips on how to avoid overpacking!

1. Make a Checklist

A checklist is the best place to start. It will help you remember what to bring and also to plan outfits and excursions. Start writing stuff down in your checklist a few days before packing—that way you have time to remember the little things.

For fun, break up your checklist into categories: clothes, hygiene, travel docs, electronics, beauty, and first aid. You can use my carry-on packing guide to make sure you don’t miss a thing!

2. Pick the Right Suitcase

Choose a modestly-sized suitcase. A big suitcase means—guess what—a heavy suitcase. You’ll pack so much just trying to fill the elephant you’ll end up bringing stuff you don’t need. One carry-on suitcase is probably the optimal size if you can manage, but larger suitcases can be necessary for long-term trips.

On long trips, I travel with a backpack for my computer and camera gear, and a carry-on suitcase. When I can, I checka large, doublecompartment suitcase because, well, I like outfit choices!

Stick to this formula and eight items can lead to around 20 outfits!

4. Roll Them Up!

Rolling your clothes—shirts, pants, dresses—is a great way to keep your stuff tight, small, and wrinkle-free. Believe me, it works!

5. Keep the Accessories Small

Pack small and light accessories and makeup that will transform your basic travel look into that of a stylish cosmopolitan’s.

Invest in just a couple choice scarves, belts, and shoes that go with everything. As for makeup and hygiene products, take sample-sized items for things like perfumes, foundations, lotions, and shampoo; they fit just about anywhere.

6. Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Speaking of shoes—no more than three. Yes, three. Good walking shoes, sandals if it’s hot, boots if it’s not—and if you must, a good pair of heels for co*cktail hour.

7. Only Take Half

Here’s a traveler’s secret. After all that packing, chances are you won’t use half of what you plan to take. So why not save yourself the trouble and leave half behind? A neat trick that I’ve always done is set out all the clothes that I want to bring and definitely think I’ll need and then take just half of them.

Goodbye, pink camisole—but my back will thank me later.

8. Use a Luggage Scale

Pick up a luggage scale that will calculate the weight of your bag. Most airlines allow up to 10 kg or 22 lbs. per carryon bag. Keep to this weight and it’s unlikely you’ll overpack.

9. Use a Pill Organizer

Pill boxes aren’t just for medication. You can use their handy dandy structure to keep track of your necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. As a major plus, each item is separate so nothing gets tangled or twisted past all return.

10. Wear Your Bulky Items on the Plane

Stiff jackets and big boots can take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so wear them on the plane! I typically wear a few layers, including a big jacket and my hat of choice on the plane to cut down on items in my carry-on.

As an avid traveler and seasoned packing enthusiast, my expertise in efficient and organized packing stems from years of personal exploration across various destinations worldwide. I've employed and refined these strategies through firsthand experience, consistently refining my approach to packing based on different travel types, durations, and purposes.

The article you provided outlines crucial tips to avoid overpacking and optimize your luggage for a smoother travel experience. Let's break down each concept mentioned:

Checklist Creation: Starting with a comprehensive checklist is fundamental. Categorizing items into clothes, hygiene, travel documents, electronics, beauty, and first aid helps ensure nothing vital is overlooked. Planning outfits and activities ahead aids in streamlining the packing process.
Suitcase Selection: Opt for a modestly-sized suitcase to deter excessive packing. While a carry-on suitcase is ideal for shorter trips, longer journeys may necessitate larger luggage. Personally, I utilize a backpack for electronics and a carry-on suitcase. A larger suitcase may be preferred for extended trips due to varied outfit choices.
Mix and Match Clothing: The concept of mixing and matching outfits by choosing versatile clothing items in solid colors allows for multiple outfit combinations, reducing the number of garments needed.
Rolling Clothes: Rolling clothes is a space-efficient method that minimizes wrinkles and maximizes packing capacity.
Compact Accessories and Makeup: Selecting small, multi-functional accessories and sample-sized makeup items streamlines your travel ensemble without compromising style.
Shoe Selection: Limit shoes to three pairs that cater to different purposes—comfortable walking shoes, sandals for warm climates, and optionally, heels for formal occasions.
Pack Half of Initially Planned Items: A practical strategy involves laying out all intended clothing and then selectively packing only half, anticipating that you won't use everything initially planned.
Luggage Scale Usage: Utilize a luggage scale to ensure compliance with airline weight restrictions, especially for carry-on bags.
Pill Organizer for Accessories: Employ a pill organizer to keep jewelry organized, preventing tangling or damage during travel.
Wear Bulky Items on the Plane: Wearing bulky items like jackets and boots while traveling reduces the bulk in your suitcase, optimizing space.

These tips collectively aim to streamline the packing process, minimize excess baggage, and enhance the overall travel experience by ensuring a lighter, more organized load for the journey ahead.