5 min read
Packing for a week in a carry-on is a capsule problem, not a folding problem. If the pieces share a palette and a formality, they will combine into more outfits than they take space for.
The rule is simple: pack for the trip you are taking, not the one you might take.
Plan by outfit, then count
Sketch five outfits before you open the bag. Three bottoms, four to five tops, one mid layer, one outer layer, two pairs of shoes. That covers a week with room to spare.
Wear the bulkiest piece on the plane. A coat, a pair of boots and a knit take the most space, so they should travel on you, not in the bag.
Keep one palette
Choose two neutrals and one accent, and make sure every top works with every bottom. When they all mix, a week needs far fewer pieces.
Roll knit and jersey, fold woven. Put a soft pouch between folded pieces to reduce creasing. Pack socks inside shoes.
Plan the laundry
Pack for four or five days and plan one wash. A sink wash and a line dry resets the whole bag, which is lighter and cheaper than packing seven of everything.
Bring a small flat pouch for laundry and a couple of travel hangers. A few minutes at night keeps the whole week looking pressed.
The takeaway · Pack a tight palette of layerable pieces for four or five days, then plan one wash.