I try as much as possible to travel with only a carry-on, for both business and pleasure. I like the time savings of not waiting for a checked bag and not worrying about losing a bag. I also like being minimalist when traveling – less to carry around with me and get into a cab/shuttle, fewer items to lose, and honestly, I’ve found that I don’t need much. Even with my carry-on only, I sometimes have brought more than I needed. In this post, I’ll talk about how I pack my suitcase. I’ll talk about my laptop bag/purse/personal item in another post.

I have a TravelPro suitcase. Most of my coworkers have them and I see a lot of flight attendants and pilots with them too. Mine has lasted two years with heavy travel (at least 1-2 trips per month, sometimes weekly). These bags are often on sale too. Mine has spinner wheels, which is nice for walking with my suitcase beside me and my purse on top. What is cool about my particular suitcase is that it came with a garment bag that folds up into the suitcase, but is also removable.

Clothes

I start with the garment bag and put in my work outfits, including hangers. My typical trip is working Tuesday through Thursday, so I need 3 outfits, typically business formal. I like suit sets that I can mix and match (pants, skirts, blazers) and have a lot of dresses I like which are easy too – just one piece packs pretty light. Most of my clothes are washable at this point (including suits!) from Banana Republic Factory.

• Work Clothes Example:  1 pantsuit with 2 blouses, 1 dress

Then I fold up the garment bag into the suitcase, which takes up a lot of suitcase space. I pack other items around and on top of the garment bag. I usually wear lightweight sneakers on the plane and bring a pair of heels and a flat/sandal. For pajamas, I bring one set of clothes I could also wear in public, such as yoga pants or drawstring shorts, a tank top, and lightweight shirt or sweatshirt. It’s helpful to have clothes that can be mixed and matched as needed.

• Shoes Example: Wear sneakers on the plane, 1 black pump, 1 black flat strappy sandal (could be worn work or casual)
• PJs/loungewear Example: 1 cami, 1 pair of yoga pants, 1 lightweight sweatershirt

I also bring some clothes for team dinners/after work. These are only worn for a couple of hours so I can reuse items/wear on the plane on the way back. Depending on weather, I bring a pair of jeans (Madewell jeans are thin) and some tops, or dresses, or lightweight pants or leggings. Usually on the plane, I wear yoga pants or wide legged drawstring pants, a t-shirt, a cardigan, and sneakers. Of course, in cold weather, add a scarf and jacket or coat, and wearing boots. Winter is definitely tougher but I find wearing layers on the plane helps.

• Casual Wear Example: 1 pair of jeans, 2 t-shirts, 1 casual dress
• Wear on the Plane Example: 1 pair of yoga pants, 1 t-shirt, 1 black cardigan, sneakers.
• Winter Add-Ons: Wear coat on plane with winter hat/gloves in pockets, wear boots on plane (black boots that work for work and snow), wear scarf or use as blanket on plane

Toiletries

I try to be as minimal as possible, adhere to the TSA rules, and make it easy to find and unpack items. I have these items always packed and so I only ever have to refill items – no need to pack every trip.

Liquids Bag. I use zip quart bags for this. I find it easiest to use these since they’re thin and lighweight and can dispose of them if something explodes. In this bag, I have some travel size items I’ve bought or received as samples (toothpaste, sunscreen, makeup primer) and I have also decanted some things such as my foundation and facial moisturizer into small pots (can buy or reuse sample pots). Shampoo/conditioner/bodywash are not mandatory since the hotels have those.

Non-liquids Bag. I used to have these items in several small zipper bags, but recently moved everything to this large, clear, bag (free from a friend), making it easy to unpack. Included in this bag are things like my hairbrush, toothbrush, deodorant, dry shampoo, and I even have travelers solid sheets of laundry detergent for doing laundry in the sink in a pinch.

Makeup Bag. I love this small bag – I can just leave everything inside and zip it open. I have duplicates of all my non-liquid makeup items in a travel size. I have a mini brushes, blush, an eyeshadow palette, powder, and lipstick.

Mini Hairdryer and Straightener. Hotels have hair dryers, but this mini one is slightly better quality. The mini straightener helps in a pinch. It is pretty hard to tame your hair on the road though.

Empty Spray Bottle. I fill this with water when I get to the hotel and hang up and spray down my clothes when I arrive. By morning, generally all of the wrinkles are out and no ironing is needed. I can use throughout the week when I rehang my blazer to wear the next day.

Jewelry Case. This mini case contains some earrings and necklaces. I try to wear some minimal, nice jewelry to look more polished.

I also bring a mini umbrella – I found a great one in Japan that folds flat. When I am packing to leave the hotel, I try to put shoes and clothes to change in an accessible place in the suitcase, so I can change at the airport into comfy clothes after work, if I have time.

My greatest advice for packing is to have a system and be a minimalist. If you are a frequent traveler, having toiletries always packed is great. Save samples, at least for the containers and decant your favorites into the pots. Bring clothes to mix and match and multipurpose items (a black cardigan can be worn to work or on the plane), or non-wrinkle dresses – one piece is easy to pack and wear. For the most part, if you forget something, you can buy it or get it at the hotel.

Finally, I do like to throw in some small, fun items sometimes. A sheet mask is easy to throw in for relaxation/rehydration and takes up almost no space. A bath bomb can be nice if you have a tub at the hotel, and is not a liquid!