There are so many benefits to traveling with just a carry-on, aside from the fact that you’ll have one less suitcase to lug to your destination. You're saving money on baggage fees (which means that you'll have more to spend on other aspects of your trip), you get to skip the long baggage check-in lines and you can breeze right out of the airport after your flight without waiting forever at the carousel for your bag to appear.
Simply put, it makes traveling so much easier. That's why, with the exception of a few rare occasions, I have pretty much been traveling with just a carry-on suitcase and personal item for the last five years. And I'm not just talking about quick trips, I've gone on weeks-long vacations, bringing just a backpack and my Away carry-on suitcase.
That being said, traveling minimally definitely takes practice. With less space to work with, you have to be thoughtful about each and every item you pack. So that means thinking ahead and planning out your outfits. I try to stick to a neutral color palette, so I know that everything will go together, and I pack pieces that can be worn multiple ways.
So in case you need a little inspiration, I'm sharing the basic formula that I follow whenever I'm packing for a trip, including some of the basics that I brought along on a nearly two-week trip that I took to visit family in California and Colorado over the holidays.
Carry-on packing essentials: Clothing
Old Navy EveryWear Long-Sleeve T-Shirt for Women
When it comes to packing light, comfortable and cute basics are the name of the game. I brought along a similar long-sleeve striped tee (the one I have is no longer available) and wore it as a base layer on particularly cold days or under a light cardigan when the sun was shining.
Old Navy Fitted Sleeveless Square-Neck Bodysuit
No matter the time of year or where I’m going, I always pack at least a few tank tops for every trip. Not only do they take up minimal space, but they’re also easy to style. If it’s warm out, I can wear one on its own with any of the bottoms I brought. Or, for chillier days, I can throw a sweater and jacket on top.
I love the smooth look of a bodysuit, and I particularly appreciate how soft this one feels and how good it looks with high-waisted bottoms.
Hanes Men’s Ecosmart Fleece Sweatshirt
There's something about the relaxed fit of a men's sweatshirt that makes it feel extra comfortable and cozy. While this isn't the exact sweatshirt that I own, I brought a similar one along for the trip. I ended up wearing it at least once a day — on all of my plane rides, and during cold nights and lazy mornings at my dad's house.
Forever 21 Faux Leather Blazer
I originally bought a very similar faux leather blazer from Forever 21 last year to be a part of a costume, but it has since become a frequently worn item in my wardrobe. I love that I can wear it to work and for nights out. In fact, on my trip, I wore it for a night out in Denver, a dinner with a friend and to a New Year's Eve party. I always get compliments on it and people can't believe it when I say it's from Forever 21.
Gap CashSoft Rib Sweater Vest
In case you haven't heard, sweater vests are back in a big way (shoutout to the eclectic grandpa trend). I've been loving this one from Gap, which I brought along for the trip. I love to wear it as a tank top, with the above jacket layered on top. It's super soft, comfortable and surprisingly cozy on its own. But I've also thrown a shirt on under it for extra coverage and warmth.
Old Navy Classic Cardigan Sweater
From dinners to cozy days at home, this cardigan got a lot of use on my trip. It's chic, cozy and easy to style. Really, what more could you ask for?
Lululemon Everywhere Belt Bag 1L
I always bring a backpack as my personal item, which is great for maximizing space, but it's usually too bulky to bring while walking around a city. That's why I like to stick this belt bag in my suitcase. It's the perfect size to hold my phone, keys, cards, sunglasses and a few other essentials for the day.
PacSun Medium Blue Stretch Dad Jeans
Jeans take up a lot of space in your carry-on, so if I'm traveling for a week, I'll try to only bring one pair. I have a similar version of PacSun's Dad Jeans that I bring everywhere with me and always get compliments on. They have a flattering high waist and enough stretch that they're comfortable enough to walk around in all day.
Abercrombie & Fitch Scarlett Wrap Mini Skort
In case it isn't already clear, while I tend to gravitate toward neutrals in general, when I travel, I typically like to bring quite a few black pieces. Not only do they go with everything, but they also don’t show dirt or stains as easily!
For this trip, I knew there would be a few nights that would require me to wear something other than jeans, and this skirt ended up being perfect. Because it was cold, I made sure to layer up on top and paired it with simple sheer black tights for extra coverage.
AE The Everything Pocket Highest Waist Legging
I typically bring at least two pairs of leggings — one for the plane rides and another for walking around or lounging — and these are always one of the options I bring. They're stretchy, comfortable and hold you in in all the right places.
Madewell The Jean Jacket
One stylist who I previously spoke to said that a jean jacket is a travel essential — and I agree! It can be pretty bulky though, so instead of packing it, she suggests wearing it to the airport (bonus: it doubles as a pillow on the plane).
Carry-on packing essentials: Shoes
Wild Pair Authentick Lug Oxfords
Shoes take up the most space, so when trying to pack light, figuring out which shoes to bring is probably the hardest part. I always wear my bulkiest pair on the plane (which, in this case, were these). Even though they are pretty hefty, there was no way I was leaving them behind. These shoes are the MVP of my wardrobe. They go with practically everything, can be worn for long periods without any pain and they've held up well over time.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13
Typically, when traveling, I only bring two pairs of shoes. One more fashionable pair that will go with my day or night outfits and one that I can wear for walks, runs and other activities — and these checked that box. They're surprisingly stylish for a running shoe, so they'll work just as well with a pair of jeans as they will with leggings.
Carry-on packing essentials: toiletries
Up & Up Travel Cosmetic Jar
For face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner and more, I use these little travel jars. They're easy to fill with product (you don't have to struggle to fit it into the small opening of a squeeze container) and are simple to wash once you're back home.
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint
I don't typically wear a lot of makeup, but when I know that I'll be taking a lot of photos — like when I'm on vacation — I like to put something on my skin to help even out texture and lightly cover any impurities. And Ilia's skin tint does that. Plus, it has SPF for sun protection. It can be easily rubbed into skin with your fingers so you don't have to bring any additional brushes.
Stoney Clover Lane Classic Small Pouch
Organization is key for packing light — and once you figure out how to fit everything perfectly in your bag, you don't want to mess it up by having to dig for that one item you desperately need at the airport. That's why I like to keep all my most important items, like my medications, passport, ponytail holders, etc. in this pouch, which I place at the top of my backpack, so it's easily accessible.
Carry-on luggage and accessories
Away The Carry-On
Smart packing strategies are helpful (I roll my clothing, in case you were wondering) but they can only take you so far. An important factor to traveling with just a carry-on is making sure that you're getting as much packing space as possible from your suitcase. And Away's classic carry-on has so many features that help you maximize the number of items you can bring.
Seriously, each time I pack for a trip, I'm astounded by how much I can fit in this roller bag. It has an interior compression system, comes with a laundry bag and has a zippered pocket to help you stay organized.
Open Story 35-Liter Travel Backpack
My biggest tip for anyone who wants to skip checking bags is to maximize your personal item. Skip the small purse and go for something bigger. Airlines can differ on what they'll accept, so always check beforehand, but I've never had any issues bringing this backpack as my personal item.
The interior is super roomy, and it opens up like a suitcase — and has internal pockets like one, too. I've found I can fit at least a day's worth of clothes (if not more), a pair of sneakers and all my toiletries and tech accessories inside. It also has tons of different compartments, which helps keep everything organized.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite
I'm a big vacation reader, so I never go anywhere without at least one book to read on the plane, during train rides or while lying on the beach. But books can take up a lot of space, so last year I finally invested in a Kindle and it has been a game-changer for travel. The sleek device takes up minimal space in my bag. Plus, before I leave, I download a library book onto my Kindle, and then, if I finish, I can download another while I'm on my trip!
