How To Pack A Carry-On For A Long Weekend

Hey everyone! I am off to Nashville for the holiday weekend and am so excited to have a few days off and to check one of the cities I’ve been dying to go to off of my 2017 travel list. I have bravely decided to venture on this trip with just a carry-on bag and was, of course, freaking out over what to pack. But, I think I’ve actually figured out the most important stuff to bring and which pieces are best to pack, so I thought I’d share some tips for what to prioritize when you pack and what to leave at home, despite potential separation anxiety. Admittedly, this is a thousand times easier during the summer. I'm not at all confident I could do this if the temperature dropped below freezing. 

Tip #1: Wear something comfortable on the plane (bonus points for both ways)

Listen, if you have an overnight flight, by all means pack an outfit for both trips. But if you have a domestic flight and you can pinpoint one flight outfit, it’ll help you in the long run. I suggest pants, a comfy t-shirt, and come kind of long-sleeve layer because even I, queen of body heat, get cold on planes.

Tip #2: Bring pieces that can work for multiple outfits

You guessed it, I’m talking about “basics.” That plain white tee, those denim shorts, and those black sneakers are going to be the pieces you reach for even among a sea of cute outfits, I promise. The more of these you can bring with accessories like scarves, hats, and necklaces, to change up the feeling, the better.

Tip #3: Pack one-piece outfits

If you don’t want to spend your trip stressing about what to wear together, pack some all-in-one outfits. That mid-length dress and that jumpsuit are perfect for a night out or a fancy dinner and you don’t have to dig around in your suitcase for all of the components of it.

Tip #4: Roll your clothes

This one is weird, but it works. Steam your clothes before you pack them and then roll them and secure with a loose hair elastic. This not only saves space, but will also help prevent wrinkling for pieces that may not travel so well.

Tip #5: Be mindful of liquids and shoes

These are always the hardest for me to narrow down and they often add the most weight to a carry-on bag. As much as I’m dying to bring along my Glossier face wash and four pairs of shoes, I know at the end of the day I’ll be so much happier when I’m not lugging around a heavy bag. If this sounds as awful to you as it does to me, just remember you’ll be reunited with your everyday necessities sooner than you think! That’s the beauty of a long weekend.

Tip #6: At the end of the day, it's about the experience

As incredibly stressful as packing can be, focus on the upcoming adventure you're about to go on and the memories that you'll form. Besides, you don't want to miss out on something because you're deciding between 800 pairs of shoes that you brought with you.The more you can go with the flow and live in the moment, the happier you'll be. 

What I packed:

Dresses: patterned dress

One pieces: white romper, patterned jumpsuit

Tops: three T-shirts, one chiffon top

Shorts: light wash denim, dark wash denim, black chiffon

Jeans: high-waisted, light wash jeans

Shoes: sneakers, sandals, flip flops

PJ's: T-shirt and running shorts

Other: bathing suit, makeup bag, curling iron, toiletries, computer

I'll actually be in Nashville for five days total (PLEASE BE IMPRESSED I'M REALLY BRINGING A CARRY-ON), so packing will definitely be easier if you're doing a three- or four-day weekend. To see what I packed when I spent four days in Chicago, click here and to read about a weekend in Cincinnati click here.

To follow along on my trip, be sure to check out my Instagram. I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday weekend!

yours,

Austen