EVELYSS / Guides / Travel & Everyday

How to Pack a Carry-On for a Week

“Overpacking is not about the trip; it is fear of not having the right thing. A plan fixes that faster than a bigger bag.”Her take

Why you overpack, and the fix

Most overpacked bags are full of just-in-case outfits: the second jacket, the fourth pair of shoes, the dress for a dinner nobody has booked. Each one answers a worry rather than a plan. The fix is to decide what you are actually doing on the trip before you open the suitcase.

Write the week down: travel days, work days, dinners, walking days, anything formal. Then dress each line on paper. When every item on the bed has a day assigned to it, the just-in-case pieces are easy to leave out.

Use a three-colour plan

Choose one base colour, one second neutral and one accent. For example: navy, cream and camel with red as the accent; or black, grey and white with green. Everything you pack sits inside those colours, which means every top works with every bottom.

Patterns are fine if they use your colours. A striped top in navy and cream belongs in the navy-and-cream plan; a floral in six unrelated shades does not, however much you like it.

Build outfits around shared shoes

Shoes take the most space and weigh the most, so they set the limit. Most weeks need three pairs at most: comfortable walking shoes, one smarter pair that works for dinner, and one specific pair if the trip demands it (sandals, boots, trainers for exercise). Wear the bulkiest pair on the plane.

Every outfit should work with one of those pairs. If a dress only works with a fourth pair of shoes, swap the dress, not the plan.

• 5 tops (mix of tees, knits, one smarter blouse)
• 2 to 3 bottoms (one tailored trouser, one jean or casual trouser, one skirt)
• 1 dress that can go day to evening
• 1 layer (a jacket, blazer or cardigan) worn on the plane
• Underwear and socks for the week, or fewer if you will wash a few items
• Sleepwear and one exercise outfit if you need it
• 2 to 3 pairs of shoes, including the pair you wear

Roll or fold, by fabric

There is no single best method; it depends on what the fabric does. Soft fabrics that spring back can be rolled tightly to save space. Structured fabrics crease along a roll and travel better folded flat, ideally with fewer, larger folds.

Packing cubes keep the plan in order and compress soft items. Put shoes at the base near the wheels, soft rolls in the gaps, and flat-folded structured pieces on top so nothing heavy sits on them.

• Roll: t-shirts, jersey dresses, knitwear, leggings, casual trousers, sleepwear.
• Fold: tailored trousers, blazers, crisp cotton shirts, structured skirts.
• Fold in tissue or a garment folder: silk and satin, which mark easily.
• Stuff socks and small items inside shoes.

Size the toiletry kit to the liquids rule

Many airports limit carry-on liquids, gels and creams to small containers, commonly 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less each, all fitting in one small clear resealable bag. Rules differ by country and some airports have changed theirs, so check the security rules for each airport on your route before you pack.

Decant into small refillable bottles and bring only what a week actually uses. Solid versions of shampoo, cleanser and deodorant take liquids out of the question entirely. Buy anything bulky, such as sunscreen in large quantities, when you arrive.

Check your airline before you zip it

Carry-on size and weight limits vary between airlines, between fare types on the same airline, and change over time. Some fares include only a small under-seat bag. Look up the exact dimensions and weight allowance for your booking, and weigh the packed bag at home.

Leave a little space for the way back. A bag packed to the zip on day one will not close on day seven.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Plan the week on paper, pack inside three colours, let your shoes set the limit, roll the soft things and fold the structured ones, keep liquids small, and check your airline's limits before you leave.

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