Fashion Style Tips: How To Pack a Single Carry On Bag for a 2-5 Week Vacation Part I...

"I am an expert packer."...This is what I say to Airport Security or the Customs Agent with a little shoulder shrug and smile, while they rummage through--baffled by my single, carry-on bag for my 2-5 week length of stay vacation.

For some reason, I am the one singled out by Customs and Airport Security to be randomly searched quite often.  I can't really prove my theory as to why I am selected, but I think I give off a very non-criminal like attitude and look, that allows them to pull me up next to the very suspicious character they are searching, to be able to claim that they do not profile.  

Usually, this fellow traveler in our joint search display, is quite perturbed, fussy and uncooperative.  The three big don'ts of security/customs searches.  But I digress...that is for another "How To" for another time.

This time, I'd like to share my "How  To Pack a Single Carry On Bag for a 2-5 Week Trip", an article I submitted to WikiMommy.

And yes, below I'm standing next to my actual bag, which I used for my trip to England, Germany,  France, Italy and Spain for a 3 1/2 week stay...

Part I:

In this day and era of intense travel security, extra charges, over-crowded airplanes, lost luggage and general chaos at the airport, traveling and in particular traveling with checked luggage has become a hassle. Not to mention, the difficulty in managing your baggage upon arrival and throughout your stay.  You might encounter unknown obstacles, long distances, and the need of assistance.

Wouldn’t you like to have the assurance of knowing your bag will not get lost by the airline, and that all of the items you need are conveniently stored in a single bag, that you can carry easily in any situation, regardless of unexpected hindrances? 

Have you ever found yourself having to check your carry on as you board the airplane, because there is no room? Have you found after shoving and cramming your bag in the overhead compartment to no avail, that the size of your carry on used to fit, but no longer does?
Have you been surprised to discover while boarding, that your purse and a carry on equal two bags, and you’re only allowed one? 

Why not free yourself from the usual luggage dilemmas, and actually enjoy your vacation more with a single, easily transportable bag? 

Remarkably, you can extend a small wardrobe over a long period of time by making smart clothing choices, applying a little editing and discipline, and using certain folding techniques.   

For this accomplishment, you will need:

*A soft, duffel style bag with pockets, compartments and a shoulder strap

This style of bag gives you more flexibility for tight spaces on the airplane, and speed of movement, as it avoids rigidity and unpredictable ground surfaces a rolling style encounters.

*A piece of paper and pencil

You will be sketching or writing down your wardrobe selections for organization.

*Clothing items that are thin and light in weight

Of course, packing for a warm holiday is much easier when it comes to light weight clothing, but here, we will focus on a fall/winter trip that is much more challenging.

*2 pairs of shoes

It’s best to alternate shoes if you will be walking often and site seeing. You are less likely to get blisters by changing shoes.  Weather can be unpredictable too, so you want to choose some kind of warm boot style as well as a ballet flat or something similar.

*2-3 pairs of pants

You should choose pants that are thinner, like khakis and lightweight jeans. Stick to a pair of black ones to go with everything, something very neutral in tan, grey, brown or olive, and a dark rinse jean that can look more dressed up. 

Keep in mind, that if you’re packing a tall boot, you already have 3 looks for each pant by either tucking your pant into the boot, rolling your pant, or wearing them over the boot.  You also have 2 looks per pant with your ballet flats either rolled on a warmer day or just down.

You can see now that with 3 pairs of pants and 2 pairs of shoes, and the different ways of wearing them, you have already created 15 different looks.  If you wear each look twice and change your top, you have 30 different looks.

*1-2 pairs of leggings 

If you can only fit 2 pairs of pants, leggings take up the least amount of room in your bag, and will look great with either your boot or ballet flat. Stick to black and brown to go with more top choices.

*2-3 scarves

Scarves are the ultimate accessory for travel, because they pack down into a very small space, offer extra warmth if needed, as well as accent your outfit.  Wear one around your neck stylishly or like a wrap, or even as a belt.  A scarf belt gets you through the airport scanner without any metal detecting buzzing.

*1-2 jackets or cardigan

Wear your heavier jacket to travel on the plane, but this also must be a lighter weight style that you could roll down into your bag. Adding another light jacket style or cardigan give you more looks to work with. Keep in mind that you will be layering your clothing, and using scarves for warmth.

*Smart tops

You want to pick tops and blouses that can be worn on their own, layered, and take up the least amount of space. Smart picks would be a sweater vest(smaller than a full sweater), a thin wool turtleneck, 2-4 short and long sleeved tee shirts, 2 stylish blouses or tunics(to go with your leggings) and 2 sleeveless tops.  

Each of these can be modified for a variety of looks.  For example, a sweater vest can be worn by itself and with every other top you pack, giving you the most looks.

 A thin wool turtleneck can also be worn on its own, or underneath any sleeveless blouse or vest you choose, giving you another batch of alternating looks.

The sleeveless blouses can be worn on a hot day alone or under your jacket, and remember that you can roll up your jacket sleeves for very warm days or for another look with your long sleeved blouse underneath.

*The most underwear you can fit

Finding a laundry mat or service while traveling is ideal, but you may just have to wash your underclothes in the sink and hang them to dry.  Underwear will dry the quickest, and is the most important to keep clean.  All of your socks should be nylon style, as regular socks will take up too much space.  You can always layer these as well, and they will wash and dry quickly.

*Minimal makeup and hygiene accessories

You can skip a lot of what you use at home, and keep your makeup simple with pencil application styles.  These will all fit into a small zipper pocket and do not trigger alerts through security.  A blush or bronzer, concealer stick, your skin cream, mascara, pencil eye liner, pencil eye shadow and lipstick are all you need.

It’s always safe to put your mascara, concealer and lipstick in your plastic bag of liquids that must be out separately to get through security.  Have these items in plastic somewhere accessible at the top of your bag to remove and replace easily. A bag with a center zipper pocket inside, works well for these items, and keeps them separate from your clothes.

A travel size deodorant, hair cream, toothpaste, toothbrush and a plastic disposable razor can also tuck into a small pocket in your bag, or down on the bottom of a center, dividing pocket.

Shampoo, conditioner and hair mousse or gel can be bought and used on location.  Do not pack these.  They have the potential to leak and explode in flight.

Packing these items will be continued in Part II of How To Pack a Single Carry On Bag for a 2-5 Week Vacation...stay tuned!


You really can do this!

~Courtney