PACK LIKE A PRO
16 days. 7 cities. 1 carry-on suitcase.
That’s right, I packed in just one bag and one backpack (plus or minus a Longchamp bag depending on the day) for this excursion. I knew traveling from place to place I couldn’t be lugging around a huge suitcase, but the big backpacker’s bodybag looking backpack also just isn’t my style. I can barely carry around my regular backpack with just a few electronics, I don’t need my whole wardrobe on my back too!
So how did I do it? Three secrets here: Color Story, Layers & Rolling
(Full disclosure, half way through the trip I did do a couple loads of laundry at my hostel!)
Color story (for more than IG)
First & foremost you must pack keeping a color palette in mind. You can’t bring bright green shoes and expect to wear a red top right? So for this trip I decided to only bring black, gray, denim, and pops of red. Extra bonus? If you wear all the same colors the whole trip your insta layout will thank you for achieving total ~aesthetic~ Of course this is MUCH easier to achieve in the fall/winter, but can also be done in the summer too.
Rule of thumb, if you can only wear it one way it’s out. For example, can my gray mock neck sweater be worn with both blue and black jeans? yup. With sneakers or boots? yup. Okay great choice! What about my blue casual sneakers with the fur on them… probably not, right?
Now you might be thinking but what about my cute sparkly night-time tank or my striped trousers or whatever else you wear in the name of ~fashun~. I gotchu— statement pieces are OK. Just know that you will have to wear it more than once (AKA be pictured in it more than once). And maybe limit yourself to about two or three of these.
Last thing here: Neutral outerwear is everything. I brought a black BCBG coat for the colder days and a blue oversized jean jacket for the cooler days. I also had UGG black earmuffs, black gloves, and one multi-toned warm gray scarf. You need outerwear that can be worn over everything you brought, so black is usually your best bet.
Pick a unique & fun color story
Cropped sweatshirt under my jean jacket with black jeans, my red Longchamp tote, & gray nike sneakers.
Layer it up, baby
Okay so maybe this isn’t exactly rocket science here, but it is 100% necessary to keep layering in mind. On a cold day you can pair a sweater, jeans, warm coat, and if you warm up as the day goes on just take things off layer by layer (or add on if it gets colder). I always had my Longchamp tote with me as it is the bag from Halloweentown that is literally endless (pls tell me u know what I’m talking about here lol) and ALWAYS comfortable to carry on your shoulder. Seriously I got my first Longchamp as a present for high school graduation and another two years after and I have worn both into the ground. It holds everything and folds flat, perfect travel combo. I know some people are into the backpacks but it makes me nervous not having eyes on my bag—especially since getting my phone stolen in London.
One more thing about traveling in cold weather? Cami-tees are everything. Yes, just a basic cami. Bring two in black and two in nude. I get extremely cold and while big sweaters are great, sometimes the holes in them still leave me just as cold. Having this layer close up against your skin keeps in much more body heat. You can also always pair it with a cardigan, so it is versatile. And if you’re still not sold just throw one in your bag anyway because they take up zero space… you’ll thank me later.
Find yourself a staple black jacket
& never let it go!!! You can always add more layers under or over as needed.
Stop drop & roll
Last but certainly not least, rolling your stuff can be a lifesaver. Now, I don’t suggest rolling everything… like sweaters and jeans for me don’t roll as well as they pack flat. But go ahead and do some investigating for yourself. Rolling up tanks and tee-shirts can be extremely space saving.
For extra space throw all your rolled clothes into a ziplock bag and decompress all the air out. This will help back these articles even more flat.
Party clothes roll best
You can typically bring more night-time options, as they roll up to be about the size of your pinky :).
Let’s review
Packing can be stressful indeed, but keep these tricks in mind and you should be good to go. And always remind yourself, you aren’t typically traveling to outer space (assuming you aren’t, but it’d sure be cool if you were). If you forget something, you will be able to purchase it in your destination!
Some last minute packing tips to keep in mind:
One pair of pajamas, no more than 3 pairs of shoes (I took nike running sneakers, fashion Steve Madden sneakers, and my black over the knee heeled boots— but on the last day of my trip I did go to the Ugg store in Paris to purchase a pair of black classics), and ALWAYS leave a little space in your bag because you will inevitably come home with more than you left with.
See my full clothes/accessories packing list here:
-2 pairs skinny blue jeans
-1 pair boyfriend blue jeans
-1 pair black jeans
-1 skirt
-1 mock neck extremely warm sweater
-1 medium cold weather sweaters
-2 fashion sweat-shirts
-1 black cardigan
-2 fashion t-shirts
-2 night-time tanks
-1 night-time crop top
-3 cami-tees
-12 pairs underwear
-12 pairs of socks
-4 bras
-2 bralette
-1 bathing suit
-1 jean jacket
-1 black jacket
-1 gray scarf
-1 pair black gloves
-1 pair black earmuffs
-1 pair sleep sweatpants
-1 pair of joggers
-2 pair leggings
-1 sleep shirt
-1 night-time satchel
-1 Longchamp tote