6 Clever Tips To Avoid Overpacking

It’s true that “less is more” for many things in life, and that includes packing for vacation. But more often than not, the “more” is unavoidable, especially for longer trips. Do we really need that fourth pair of shoes or bulky sweater, though? Overpacking is one of the easiest mistakes to make ahead of a getaway — and it’s also one of the easiest to avoid. With these clever, tried-and-true tricks from seasoned travelers, you can travel light without sacrificing style or comfort.

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Wear the Bulkiest Clothes During Travel

Instead of using up half of your suitcase for that bulky winter jacket, wear it during transit. This also applies to items like denim jackets and jeans, wool coats, and corduroy pants. Frequent flyer Katherine Johnsen swears by this tip. In a YouTube video, the travel influencer explained, “I hate to break it to you, but you have to wear your big winter coat on the plane.” With 73 flights in one calendar year, she successfully packed only a carry-on for 68. 

Johnsen emphasized that the key is to consider which fabrics can be compressed: “I can’t fit three wool coats in my carry-on, but I can wear my big wool coat, like I wore in Paris, on the plane, and then I can bring any of my down or quilted jackets because they compress completely.”

Use These Toiletry Tricks

Instead of dealing with pesky liquid regulations and leaking bottles, try packing solid versions of your toiletries and other supplies. This includes bar shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, or single-use hand sanitizing wipe packets to eliminate bottle clutter. 

TV travel host and globetrotter Samantha Brown shared some of her favorite packing hacks with the Today show. Brown said that doing laundry during vacation is more accessible than ever due to laundry detergent sheets that look like dryer sheets and dissolve in water. She also recommended skipping full-size perfume bottles and instead packing perfume-soaked cotton balls in a sealed plastic bag.

Sometimes, packing liquids is unavoidable, but big, leaky bottles can explode and wreak havoc in checked luggage. You might opt for travel-size versions of your favorite toiletries to pack in a carry-on, but there are other cost-cutting options. 

Consider investing in reusable travel-size bottles for your toiletries. TSA-approved toiletry kits offer various-size containers for shampoos, conditioners, body washes, face serums, hair products, sprays, and creams. For smooth sailing in the security line, make sure to store carry-on liquids in a clear bag.

Build a Capsule Wardrobe

When it comes to packing, think of your suitcase as a mini closet: What are your must-haves? These should be comfortable, versatile clothes that you wear often. Choose items that can be mixed and matched, creating a streamlined “closet” with endless outfit options and minimal pieces, otherwise known as a capsule wardrobe. 

Travel guru Aly Smalls says this is one of her favorite packing hacks. “Here’s the rule: Every top should go with every bottom, no exceptions,” Smalls explained in a YouTube video. The goal of a capsule wardrobe is to mix and match tops, bottoms, and one-pieces (such as dresses or jumpsuits) to create more outfit options with fewer pieces. For example, Smalls can create 24 different outfit options from six tops and four bottoms. 

A good rule of thumb is to stick to neutral colors with one or two statement items to match everything. Adding layering options, like a cardigan and a lightweight jacket, creates even more versatility. Not only will your wardrobe be stylish, but it will also be compact and ready for anything.

Employ Smart Shoe Strategies

There’s no way around it — shoes are space stealers. One pair of boots can easily take up an entire side of a carry-on, leaving limited space for clothes, toiletries, electronics, and other essentials. For most types of trips, you can get away with sticking to a three-shoe rule: one for walking, one for dressing up, and one for multiple tasks. The multitasker can be a pair of sandals or stylish sneakers that can be dressed up or down with various outfits.

As we mentioned earlier, you should wear your bulkiest items, including shoes, during transit to avoid having to pack them at all. As for the shoes you pack, opt for soft or foldable pairs. Flat sandals, soft sneakers, flats, and thin loafers are some of the easiest shoes to fit in luggage. If packing bulky shoes is unavoidable, stuff them with socks, chargers, or small accessories to maximize every inch of storage.

Create an Outfit Lookbook

Not only is this tip practical for packing, but as a bonus, it also makes your morning routine much faster during vacation. Plan outfits based on your itinerary, then snap photos of each look on your phone to refer to during your vacation. 

Creating your own personal lookbook can be fun, but this technique also helps you stay organized and eliminates the temptation to throw in random “just in case” pieces. This way, you’ll save space and ensure you wear everything you packed. You might even spot pieces that work across multiple outfits, saving you even more room. 

Use Compression Packing Cubes

Compression cubes work by shrinking your clothes and accessories into compact sections using a double zipper. They’re fast and easy to use — simply fill them with clothes and zip them like a regular packing cube, then press down to get rid of excess air and zip up the second zipper, creating an even more compact cube. 

These cubes come in handy with items with a lot of air, such as puffer jackets, blankets, scarves, or sweaters. They also keep items organized and reduce wrinkles. So, while you might be packing “light,” you certainly don’t have to go without.