How To Pack Like A Pro

Warmer Climate, 1 week, 1 Carry-On

Hi Friends,

New York is in the twenties today, but it feels like single digits. I’m desperate for warmth and can’t wait to board a plane to Florida. It will be in the low 70s, not all-out beach weather, but I’ll take it.

The week will be relaxed, spent with old friends for half of the trip and family for the remainder of the week. The clothes need to be casual, with some beach and pool wear and something to wear to dinner, but still low-key.

I consider myself an adept packer; ready for anything with multiple options, all contained in a carry-on. Here are my tips to pack efficiently while not sacrificing style to cram it all in a small bag. Number one: Always check the local weather and bring light pieces for warmer weather and pieces to layer if it’s cooler. Next, imagine what you’ll be doing. Having done weeks like this before, I have a pretty good idea what that will be. Then, here’s the kicker: pack pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. Each top has to work with most of the bottoms. It all comes back to capsule wardrobes, where everything is interchangeable and can be layered. Does this all sound super basic? It is, but believe it or not, I took years to finally get it down to a science.

It helps to understand what kind of packer you are. Do you throw all your favorites into a bag and figure out outfits once you reach your destination? I’ve done this, usually with disastrous results. Something would always be missing, like the right shoes, or half of the pieces would go unworn. I consider my packing a success when I’ve worn everything I brought. Or are you an over-packer and bring everything you can think of just in case? If this is you, this post can help.

The best kind of packer is one who plans, which means planning everything you’ll bring well in advance. I like to set aside an hour or two to try things on and take photos of all the good outfits. Then it’s very clear what pieces should go, and bonus, I have photos to remind me of the exact outfits to refer to while I’m away. It may seem obvious, but please don’t do this hours before you leave for the airport. The stress alone could induce tragic mistakes. I did this two days before departure. I started in the morning, had to go out, and finished up in the evening. Low stress and even fun. I also assess what shoes and accessories to take. While I’m at it, I pick my travel outfit and derive a bizarre pleasure from layering as many articles of clothing as I can, thus freeing space in the carry-on.

Here are the photos from my try-on session with explanations: