Over-packer Anonymous
Over-packer Anonymous: Confession Time
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As a former heavy packer, I used to be known as “the bag lady” – hauling a suitcase for every possible situation (with backups, of course). A friend of mine finally nudged me (maybe bullied a little) into letting go of that overpacking habit.
Does this change cause anxiety? Absolutely. The “What if I do need this 9th pair of jeans?” panic is real. But my wise friend put it simply: “There will be stores where you are going.” That advice changed everything.
Traveling light doesn’t mean being careless or unprepared. If you’re headed to the Caribbean, leave the puffer coat behind, but it’s smart to bring a sweater or hoodie for cooler nights. Packing in a carry-on is all about strategy—bring only what you know you’ll need. No more second and third suitcases.
My Packing Process:
Gather everything you think you’ll need and edit, edit, edit. Most of the time, we don’t need half of what we pack. Overpacking happens when you throw in last-minute “just in case” items. Trust me, you won’t need that 23rd shirt for a 5-day trip.
If you stick with me, I’ll show you how to cut down on clutter by tackling the most common overpacking traps.
Stage One: Toiletries
Toiletries can sneak up on you. Everything looks manageable—until you try to squeeze it into your adorable new toiletry bag. Here’s how to cut back:
- Perfume: Use tester samples or small tubes. Even travel-size bottles are too much. A small perfume atomizer like this one from Amazon lets you take multiple scents without the bulk.
- Hair products: Bring only the essentials. Skip the five-step hair treatments. Use refillable travel containers because the full-sized products are too much.
Tip: If you’re traveling with a partner, pack extra shampoo if you’ll be gone longer than 7 days. In my house, we always run out of shampoo (but never conditioner—pretty sure my husband has never conditioned anything in his life). - Body wash and soap: Bring the basics, but leave behind foot scrubs and oversized loofahs. If you prefer bar soap, many hotels and cruise lines provide travel-sized bars. I have sensitive skin, so I always bring my own body wash—hotel scents like “cucumber-pumpkin-spice-vanilla” are not for me.
- Razors and brushes: Keep a dedicated travel razor and brush in your travel kit to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Pro Tip
When traveling with my husband we often run out of shampoo. If we are gone more than 7 days I will bring either a larger refillable one or just two of the small ones. Conditioner never runs out – pretty sure he has never conditioned anything in his life!
Bonus Tip
Keep all your travel items in one area of your bathroom. So when it is time to travel you can just refresh what you are low on. Toss out the stuff that has just a little bit in it- you will never get the last 1/25” of shampoo out of that bottle, you can let it go now.
Stage Two: Jewelry
Jewelry is a personal struggle. There may have been tears shed here. I love options, but now I follow a strict rule: If it doesn’t fit in my travel jewelry case, it stays home.
- Stick to 1-2 metals and limit yourself to:
- 1 pair of studs
- 1 pair of hoops
- 1 fun pair of earrings
- 2-3 small bracelets
- 2-3 necklaces (optional)
Packing light doesn’t mean sacrificing style—just choose versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched.
Tips for editing
- Stick with 1 or 2 metals
- 1 each stud, hoop, and fun pair.
- Small bracelets to fit in the box -2-3 small ones
- Necklaces 2-3 easily in small jewelry bags like these inside the box
Stage Three: Shoes
Shoes are emotional—let’s admit it. But they also take up the most space.
- Cold destinations: Boots and sneakers
- Warm destinations: Sandals and flats
- Dinner options: If you must have heels, bring one versatile pair.
Pro Tip
wear your largest pair of shoes on traveling days. That way you save space in your luggage for the smaller ones. If you can’t live without the pink pumps then you can rock them at TSA!
Stage Four: Outerwear
It’s time to get real. Here’s what you need based on the weather:
- Cold weather: 1 warm coat + 1 lightweight sweater or cardigan = DONE.
- Warm weather: A hoodie or light sweater for chilly evenings or flights.
Check out my seasonal travel outfit inspirations here for ideas on building minimalist travel wardrobes.
Stage Five: Outfit Planning
Made it this far without throwing your phone? Good news—you’re almost a carry-on pro. Here’s a simple formula to keep your wardrobe manageable.
For a 7-day trip:
- Tops: 5-7 (mix of long sleeves and t-shirts)
- Bottoms: 1 pair of leggings, 1 pair of jeans, 1 skirt or dress for dinner
- Outerwear: 1 lightweight sweater, 1 cardigan
- Undergarments: 2 bras, 1 pair of underwear per day (this is not the place to skimp for real)
- Socks: 1 pair per day
Pro Tip: Wear your bulky items—like coats or sweaters—on travel days. I always travel in layers, wearing leggings, a tank top, a hoodie, and my bulkiest shoes. Compression socks are also lifesavers if your feet swell during flights.
My 7-Day Packing List
- Tops: 1 shirt for every 2 days
- Bottoms: 1 pair of pants for every 3 days
- Shoes: 1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair of flats, 1 Chelsea boots
- Outerwear: Dress in layers—wear your bulkiest items on travel days
- Packing Cubes: Invest in good-quality ones. Cheap ones won’t cut it.
Pro Tip
Wear your bulky clothing on travel days. I also have a specific outfit I only wear for going and coming. It typically consists of leggings, a tank top with a shirt, an outerwear item, my bulkiest shoes. Then I will also bring my coat if bringing one.
With these tips, two small bags—your carry-on and a backpack—are all you’ll need. No more excess baggage, no more stress. Just thoughtful, intentional packing.
