Packing for Success — Bucket List Blondes

The ticket is booked, the insurance is purchased…you’re going on vacation! Now you’re dreading the daunting task of packing for the occasion. If you don’t travel that often, it can be overwhelming to know exactly what you need to bring and exactly what’s going to be absolutely useless.

I 100% believe in carry-on only. I think it doesn’t matter where and for how long your trip is, carry-on is achievable. As I’ve found out myself, you always bring way too much that you don’t need and regret using the space in your bag. Here are my top tips for packing light successfully!

It all started with a list

It helps to become a little OCD, like myself, to start the packing. I usually start about 3 weeks before I travel (and I know, you’re laughing saying, I pack the night before!), but I always find I’m forgetting something and I don’t want to be scrambling around the day before my trip buying travel sized toothpaste.

Start by making a list. Think about where you’re going and what items you may need for that destination. Get out a pen and paper or make a note on your phone. I find it helps to make the list checkable, so you can check off what you’ve got as you go along. Chances are you’re going to have to go out and buy some toiletries, or get foreign currency. These sorts of things will pop up once you start compiling the list.

Think in terms of sections: start with the toiletry bag, then work through your clothing bag, then any extra items that you may need. Keep this list even after your trip, you’ll find you’ll use the same list for every trip (with slight tweaks).

Packing cubes are your best friend

I’m a huge advocate for packing cubes. Not only does it help to keep everything contained neatly inside the larger bag, it helps to organize your items into categories. Put all your shirts in one cube, your pants in another. This way you’re not digging around wondering where that one shirt got to at the bottom of the bag.

First off, choose outfits that are easily mixed and matched with other items. More neutral colours like black and white can be worn multiple times with different tops and bottoms. Then you’re not bringing so many outfits with you. Choose materials that will last longer without washes, like jeans, but that are durable and lightweight also. No one’s going to judge you while you’re travelling for wearing the same thing twice.

Lay your article of clothing on the bed, smooth out all the wrinkles and start by folding it half, like a shirt for example. Roll the item tightly smoothing out any wrinkles as you continue, until it’s a neat contained little roll of clothing. Place them all side by side in your packing cubes. You’ll be surprised at how many things you can get into your cubes.

Think logistics

When putting your carry-on bag together with your cubes and other items, think about events that might occur. For example, make sure your toiletry bag is first and foremost and easy to get at when opening your bag. This could be checked when going through airport security, so you’ll want to make sure you’re not holding people up by trying to dig around for any items.

On the travel days, make sure you’re wearing easy clothing. Don’t wear anything with metal buckles, belts, ties, etc. Wear easy slip on/off shoes and clothing, just in case you’re asked to remove them.

Make sure your important information is readily available. My biggest pet peeve is when people are digging around for their passport…you’re at an airport! Have it ready.

Stress free travel

Once you go carry-on, you won’t go back. You will see you don’t need probably half of the things you packed. Not only is it totally freeing to be able to walk off the plane and out the door all in one swoop, but you won’t have any stresses of lost or damaged luggage…which we all know is top of mind these days.

Have fun packing, be resourceful, be reasonable. And remember, if you can afford to take the trip, you can afford to buy emergency items like a t-shirt when you’re there.

For reference: for my carry-on, I use the Pacsafe Venturesafe EXP45 anti-theft carry-on travel pack. And for my personal item, I use the Pacsafe Stylesafe anti-theft backpack. Best money I ever spent.