TOTE: KAYU STRAW TOTE  |  ROLLER BAG: TUMI ROLLER BAG  |  HAT: PANAMA HAT  |  JEANS: HIGH RISE SKINNY JEANS  |  TOP: WHITE OFF-SHOULDER TOP  |  SNEAKERS: STRIPE VANS SNEAKERS  |  TOWEL: BLUE STRIPE TOWEL  |  HEELS: TOGGLE SANDALS  |  SHORTS: BLUE LACE SHORTS  |  TANK: STRIPE COPPED TANK  |  HEADBAND: BLUE TIE HEADBAND  |  CALENDAR: LILLY PULITZER CALENDAR

Packing light is essential for any savvy globe-trotter… and the importance of this cannot be over-emphasized.  And since today Ben and I are heading to the British Virgin Islands to celebrate my birthday by sailing on a boat for eight days (woohoo!), I thought I might share with you six tips that I use to keep my luggage to a minimum.

Trust me, you will thank yourself later for not bringing that extra pair of jeans.

So here it goes…

1. Choose items that coordinate.

The best way to travel light is by packing effectively.  When packing for a trip, I like to include items from the same color family so that I can easily mix and match items while I am there to make the most out of my pieces… that’s why you may have noticed a lot of blues included above.  By choosing items that coordinate with everything else in your bag you will end up saving yourself a lot of room, leaving you more space for souvenirs.

2. Wear your bulkiest items and your hat on the airplane.

I always love traveling with a wide-brim hat to keep the sun off my face while on vacation.  Choose a style that will go with everything and wear it on the airplane to keep it from getting smashed.  Once the bags have been loaded in the overhead compartments, place your hat on top so you can relax your head for the flight.  I also usually get cold on airplanes so I prefer to wear my comfiest, stretchiest jeans while on the plane.  This way, I don’t have to pack a bulky pair of pants and the stretch allows them to easily be re-worn.

3. Lay everything out on the bed before you pack it in your bag.

By laying out your items before packing them, you can visually see your planned outfits.  This also allows you to evaluate what you’re packing and remove any non-necessities.  Simply ask yourself why you’re packing the item and if your answer starts with an “in case” or “what if,” it’s likely something you can eliminate.

4. Stuff smaller items into bigger ones.

To save space, I always pack smaller items, like socks, panties and toiletries, in my sneakers and place smaller purses inside bigger ones.  Not only will you save space and feel organized, but you will also help your shoes and bags retain their shape while you transport them from one place to another. You should also lay your belt along the inside edge of your suitcase instead of rolling it up to make the best use of the space you have.

5. Pack items that are versatile.

Instead of packing an outfit for exploring during the day as well as another outfit for the evening, choose items that can pull double duty and will take you from day to night.  Not only will you save space, but you’ll also save yourself time from having to change while you’re on vacation… and anything that gives you more time to play and explore is worth the extra memories.

6. Choose a bag that is lightweight, fits a lot and maneuvers easily.

I learned this the hard way, but packing in a well-made lightweight bag that can maneuver easily through the airport is so important.  Nothing stresses me out more than running through the airport, trying to make a flight while dealing with heavy (and too much) luggage.  I used to stuff my old carry-on sized suitcase to the brim and would still be asked to redistribute weight when checking.  If I was carrying on the handle always gave me a hard time and wouldn’t push back in… ugh!  Save yourself the time and stress by investing in a lightweight bag that provides more packing room.  This Tumi roller bag that I got comes with tie-down straps to help you optimize space, and I love that it has four wheels so I can easily push or pull it through the airport with hardly any effort.  And no, this is not an ad for Tumi haha… I just love this bag that much!

SHOP MY LUGGAGE HERE:

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy toting your light luggage on your next vacation!

 

Don’t forget to follow along on my Snapchat (@dashofdarling) and my Instagram (@caitlinclairexo) to see our island adventures!!

 

Next Post