I’ll be the first admit that I used to have a serious overpacking problem. For any trip I went on, I was packing a checked bag full of way more clothes and shoes than I could’ve ever needed. But in the last few years, I have been traveling more often—and for longer periods of time. Through some major trial and error, I’ve had to come up with a few fashion packing tips that could get me through any type of trip without sacrificing my personal style. All while packing in a much more minimalist way.
If you’re a “throw it in a bag and go” kind of traveler, this might not be the article for you. But for my girls who love a perfectly curated vacation wardrobe and an outfit pic or two (while still staying present, of course), this one’s for you. Read on for all of the fashion packing tips I’ve discovered through years of frequent travel as a certified Fashion Girly.
Take your packing list up a notch
If planning your outfits for a trip is just as important (if not more so) as planning the itinerary, your Notes app packing list isn’t going to cut it anymore. I usually start on Pinterest, by creating a board of some inspo outfits for the specific trip. Then, I go to Canva to start curating a visual representation of the clothes I want to bring and how they work together in outfits. I like using Canva’s “Whiteboard” feature for this, as it is an endless canvas to work with. Right up until I start packing, I can move things around in the Whiteboard as weather forecasts change and new activities get added to the itinerary.
This process allows me to show up to a destination with a capsule wardrobe of actual outfits that can be mixed and matched, rather than a bunch of random pieces that don’t really go together. I also write out a list of essentials that I don’t need to see visually—undergarments, chargers, passport, etc.—on the same Whiteboard.
READ: I Walked 26,695 Steps in One Day in These Sandals—And They’re Not Ugly
Keep your makeup and toiletries as minimal as possible
Listen, we all have our priorities. If yours is more makeup and skincare than fashion, that is totally fine too. But for the girlies who are in it for the outfit pics, we need to minimize elsewhere. I can’t tell you how many trips I’ve been on with a whole bunch of makeup and skincare, only to use the true essentials. Now, I travel with a small makeup bag of everyday products. I also pack an ultra-organized toiletry bag that has all of my skincare, hygiene, and haircare together.
I’ve also found that—even though I tried to resist—just buying the mini travel versions of your favorite products really is worth it. This allows me to keep my toiletry bag packed at all times, reducing the things I need to think about and plan for when I’m packing for a trip.
READ: I’m a Beauty Editor Who’s Tried Tons of Travel Toiletry Bags—These Are the Best for Any Trip
Lean into accessories
If there is one thing that has truly made a difference in my packing habits, it’s leaning into accessorizing. My style tends to lean more maximalist than minimalist. So curating a “travel capsule wardrobe” has always been hard for me. However, once I realized that I could still achieve those fun, dopamine-inducing looks through accessories, I freed up a lot of space in my suitcase.
Last summer, I spent two weeks in Italy and really put this method to the test. I packed almost all black and white tanks, shorts, maxi skirts, and dresses. Then, I packed a ton of accessories. I had scarves, chunky necklaces, bangles, and fun sunglasses that really made each look feel styled and intentional. I even leaned into accessorizing the straw tote bag I carried around everywhere for an extra little touch.
The more pouches, the better
When I’m packing, there will be absolutely nothing just loose in my suitcase or personal item. Everything goes into a packing cube or pouch. This way, I know where everything is and don’t overload my bags with random things I don’t need. I usually use a pouch for accessories in my suitcase in addition to the packing cubes I use for my clothes and shoes. I have a case that can hold multiple sunglasses and a jewelry organizer.
In my personal item, I keep an in-flight essentials pouch (hand sanitizer, earbuds, electrolytes, lip balm, hair tie, etc.), an emergency kit (meds, bandaids, etc.), a tech pouch (chargers and camera things), and whatever purse I’m bringing on the trip.
READ: I Set Out to Find the Absolute Best Purse for Travel—Here’s What’s Actually Worth It
The “remove one of each” rule
Although I’ve been making major strides toward more minimalist packing, I’m always going to be an overpacker in my heart. To combat this, I tell myself that once I have everything laid out that I want to pack, I need to remove one thing from each category. For example: one less basic tee, one less “dressy item,” one less bottom, etc. Depending on how well you did planning in the first place, this could also be applied to shoes and accessories (you don’t need five pairs of shoes for a week-long trip).
Invest in your luggage
If you’re a frequent traveler, this seems like a no-brainer. But I can tell you that it took me quite a few trips with old, out-of-date luggage to realize that this makes a world of difference. Older luggage tends to be heavier, with wheels and handles that aren’t optimized for maximum ease. All it took was one trip to the UK’s cobblestone streets with an oversized, soft-sided suitcase with one-directional wheels to realize my suitcase actually does matter.
Invest in whatever luggage truly works for you and the way you travel. Carry-on only club? You need a carry-on that’s easy to use with maximized space. For frequent international travelers, you’ll probably want a smaller carry-on. And if you’re always checking a bag (no shame), you’ll want one that can stand up to wear and tear.
And don’t forget your personal item options either. Personally, I have a few different favorites that I like for different types of trips. Some are best suited for sitting on top of a rolling carry-on, while some trips call for a backpack. For the recovering overpackers like me, your personal item is a place where you can put heavier things to leave more room for clothes in your carry-on.
Don’t forget the fashion essentials that make any outfit more comfortable
There’s nothing worse than being out for a long day on vacation, only to be met with chafing thighs, blisters, or stain mishaps. And even more annoying: going to put on the outfit you had planned, only to realize that you don’t have the right bra or it’s extremely wrinkled. Packing a few essentials to combat these issues will help you be able to actually wear all of the cute outfits you dream up.
Utilize the magic of packing cubes
I have been using packing cubes for so long, I actually can’t remember what it’s like to pack a suitcase without them. I like to divide mine up by “real clothes,” “basics,” and “comfies” (AKA pajamas and loungewear). This helps me know where everything is, especially when I’m shuffling from Airbnb to Airbnb on a longer trip. The items in the “real clothes” cube usually get hung up, as they tend to be dresses, maxi skirts, and nicer tops. Then I can see them all to put together my outfits each day, and I know exactly where my basics and comfies are as well. I highly recommend compression packing cubes, as they give you a bit more space.
I learned a hack from TikTok that also changed the way I pack my cubes, especially the compression style. It’s to fold your items to the exact shape of the packing cube and lay them flat on top of each other, rather than rolling inside the cubes. This allows the compression to work a bit better.
Bring a packable extra bag for shopping
Us fashion girls love to shop and there is no shame in that! I’ve found that planning ahead by bringing an extra packable bag eliminates any worry about missing out on unique pieces from your travels that you’ll cherish forever. Packing in a carry-on on your way to a destination allows you to travel lighter from place to place, but if you need to check it on your way home to accommodate for your extra bag, what’s the harm in that?
Want more packing tips? Try these:
- I Just Traveled to Europe for 10 Days: Here’s How I Fit Everything in a Carry-On
- I Haven’t Checked a Bag in Years—This Carry-On Packing Formula Never Fails Me
- The Top 12 Things People Always Forget to Pack for a Trip
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
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