Excellent in depth review! I do a lot of preplanning also and it's so liberating -- did both a ten-day and two-week trip this summer with a carry on and a big canvas tote "personal item" (I like the Alex Mill Weekender as the tote). The handbag that I slip inside is either an Anya Hindmarch essentials bag or if I'm going to be in a city my Loewe Flamenco mini in off white which goes with everything and can have a strap so can be worn like a shoulder bag. One thing I would add is if your flight is a long one you can buy good knee high compression socks from many places (I like Comrad) that don't shriek "flesh-tone" compression. Mine are navy blue and white stripe. Throwing them on at the start of the flight will mean you keep those toes warm and your feet will fit into your shoes when you deplane!
Oh such a great tip Jessie! I haven’t gotten on the compression sock game but i know I’m probably missing out so need to try this next time for a long haul flight!
I’m worried they’d take up all the space in my plastic liquids pouch? Do you use them in your hand luggage, or check them in your case, please? When I travel with carry on only, I never check it, so I’m just curious as I’m not sure I’d put my makeup in as well as those little mini cubes….
I definitely really need to be structured with myself and taking carry on only, because you’re right - there’s nothing worse than schlepping something massive around!
1) My bag is a very old Off-White tote. I can’t seem to find on resale anymore but I think any large canvas bag would do! Loan & Sons and LL Bean are some good options and I know LL Bean also does a camo version
2) the sizes I have might fit in your organizer? I keep them in a small bag with my toothbrush and stuff and sometimes w my makeup too depending on how much I’m bringing. I have put them both in a carry-on and checked them and haven’t had issues either way! I do know in Europe and Asia they are quite strict about liquids but they always fit the clear plastic bags the airports provide
And yes! I’m team carry-on all the way 😁 even if I check my carry-on, I just find it so much easier to move around with a lighter load!
This is amazing! I do a lot of this already and now I have a few more great tips for an upcoming euro trip. I also Shazam music I hear on trips and then create playlists, it’s such a fun way to remember and all the emotions & memories come right back when I hear those songs again. I just started using indyx so I’m def going to lean into that this time around, along with my notes app I usually use. I created a MUST HAVE list for all my trips, and I totally agree with having in between items, I always now bring a sweatshirt and something comfy like sweatpants or joggers that I can still look cute in if I want to nip out for a coffee or breakky or whatever.
Yay!! I’m glad we share a lot of the same tips! Just having these little tips in your back pocket really does make packing and feeling prepared on trips so much easier! ❤️
So helpful! One thing that I tried to keep in mind on my last big trip (Ireland and France, two weeks, hiking and city) was that I didn’t have to impress anybody. I could bring nice things that worked together and made me feel good, but I didn’t need any dynamite outfits. That helped me relax!
omg yes Siobhan!! I think sometimes when we travel, we have this idea that we have to be the best dressed or most interesting/coolest/unique etc version of ourselves but that version naturally comes out when we dress like our authentic selves! ❤️
This is HANDS down the best guide to packing I've read! I loved the "in-between moments" tip — something I so often forget about (nothing to wear to pop over to my friend's hotel room, but have like 5 dinner dresses, lol).
Also, totally a slightly shameful abuser of the oversize personal item...
Haha YUP! You’ve been there too 😂 I feel like a lot of ppl bring on the tiniest personal bag so we help balance it out 😁 thanks so much for reading Teresa!
Thank you for one of the most insightful and useful packing posts I ever read! I’m going away til Gran Canaria for two weeks in December and the last time we went I brought too many options, so this time I’m going to do better. 💪🏻😃
Such a fantastic, detailed and practical post! I especially love how you articulated packing “in between” pieces as we often forget about those moments.
This is such a helpful list, and something that’s very much on my mind right now. I’ve read through once and am going to sit down and reread once I get home and unpack! 😊
I love a packing post and these are great, practical tips! My biggest struggle is always how to bring a laptop and still stay within the carry-on weight limit... I've accepted that this sometimes means buying a more expensive ticket (ie not the sale fares!) but I think it's worth it in order to do carry-on only.
Love these types of posts! Fun idea with the Shazam and Spotify playlists. I use Google maps for trips and it’s so handy to have locations saved!
Yes it changed my travel game when I started to pre-load on my map! It helps avoid having to structure each day with a full plan
Excellent in depth review! I do a lot of preplanning also and it's so liberating -- did both a ten-day and two-week trip this summer with a carry on and a big canvas tote "personal item" (I like the Alex Mill Weekender as the tote). The handbag that I slip inside is either an Anya Hindmarch essentials bag or if I'm going to be in a city my Loewe Flamenco mini in off white which goes with everything and can have a strap so can be worn like a shoulder bag. One thing I would add is if your flight is a long one you can buy good knee high compression socks from many places (I like Comrad) that don't shriek "flesh-tone" compression. Mine are navy blue and white stripe. Throwing them on at the start of the flight will mean you keep those toes warm and your feet will fit into your shoes when you deplane!
Oh such a great tip Jessie! I haven’t gotten on the compression sock game but i know I’m probably missing out so need to try this next time for a long haul flight!
Angie! I SQUEALED when this came up in my “to read” list, as it was me that made the initial comment!
This is AMAZING - thanks so much! The DETAIL, I love it! Have saved it and it’s going to be my bible!
I have two questions if that’s ok, please - 1) where did you get your personal bag for the plane from, please?
And 2) I’ve seen those cadance minis but have never taken the plunge, as I still rely on putting all my liquids into one plastic pouch container (from space NK - highly recommend https://www.spacenk.com/uk/accessories/makeup-and-travel-bags/bags/medium-travel-bag-MUK200021539.html )
I’m worried they’d take up all the space in my plastic liquids pouch? Do you use them in your hand luggage, or check them in your case, please? When I travel with carry on only, I never check it, so I’m just curious as I’m not sure I’d put my makeup in as well as those little mini cubes….
I definitely really need to be structured with myself and taking carry on only, because you’re right - there’s nothing worse than schlepping something massive around!
Yay Emily! Thanks so much for the suggestion!
1) My bag is a very old Off-White tote. I can’t seem to find on resale anymore but I think any large canvas bag would do! Loan & Sons and LL Bean are some good options and I know LL Bean also does a camo version
2) the sizes I have might fit in your organizer? I keep them in a small bag with my toothbrush and stuff and sometimes w my makeup too depending on how much I’m bringing. I have put them both in a carry-on and checked them and haven’t had issues either way! I do know in Europe and Asia they are quite strict about liquids but they always fit the clear plastic bags the airports provide
And yes! I’m team carry-on all the way 😁 even if I check my carry-on, I just find it so much easier to move around with a lighter load!
Thank you! Ah - on #2) that makes total sense as I’m British and used to super strict liquid airport security 😂
This is amazing! I do a lot of this already and now I have a few more great tips for an upcoming euro trip. I also Shazam music I hear on trips and then create playlists, it’s such a fun way to remember and all the emotions & memories come right back when I hear those songs again. I just started using indyx so I’m def going to lean into that this time around, along with my notes app I usually use. I created a MUST HAVE list for all my trips, and I totally agree with having in between items, I always now bring a sweatshirt and something comfy like sweatpants or joggers that I can still look cute in if I want to nip out for a coffee or breakky or whatever.
Yay!! I’m glad we share a lot of the same tips! Just having these little tips in your back pocket really does make packing and feeling prepared on trips so much easier! ❤️
Thank you!!
You are so welcome! I hope this comes in handy for your next trip! ❤️
So helpful! One thing that I tried to keep in mind on my last big trip (Ireland and France, two weeks, hiking and city) was that I didn’t have to impress anybody. I could bring nice things that worked together and made me feel good, but I didn’t need any dynamite outfits. That helped me relax!
omg yes Siobhan!! I think sometimes when we travel, we have this idea that we have to be the best dressed or most interesting/coolest/unique etc version of ourselves but that version naturally comes out when we dress like our authentic selves! ❤️
This is HANDS down the best guide to packing I've read! I loved the "in-between moments" tip — something I so often forget about (nothing to wear to pop over to my friend's hotel room, but have like 5 dinner dresses, lol).
Also, totally a slightly shameful abuser of the oversize personal item...
Haha YUP! You’ve been there too 😂 I feel like a lot of ppl bring on the tiniest personal bag so we help balance it out 😁 thanks so much for reading Teresa!
Great tips! I always use the Notes app and pick a color story too.
Perfect! That’s all you need!
Thank you for one of the most insightful and useful packing posts I ever read! I’m going away til Gran Canaria for two weeks in December and the last time we went I brought too many options, so this time I’m going to do better. 💪🏻😃
Ooh I hope some of these tips help!!
Such a fantastic, detailed and practical post! I especially love how you articulated packing “in between” pieces as we often forget about those moments.
Thanks so much Jelly! ❤️
You are a true packing master and the most helpful advice on packing on the internet! Bravo for making 15 days look chic but simple.
Thanks Kelly!! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
This is such a helpful list, and something that’s very much on my mind right now. I’ve read through once and am going to sit down and reread once I get home and unpack! 😊
Ooh a fun exercise! Let me know how it goes!
I love a packing post and these are great, practical tips! My biggest struggle is always how to bring a laptop and still stay within the carry-on weight limit... I've accepted that this sometimes means buying a more expensive ticket (ie not the sale fares!) but I think it's worth it in order to do carry-on only.