Buzz
You're all set for an exciting seven-day journey, with thrilling activities, new experiences, and a stunning location awaiting you. The only challenge left is figuring out what to pack. From wardrobe essentials to clever packing strategies, we've got expert advice to help you optimize space and pack smart for your week away.
Insights shared by Julie Naylon, a professional organizer and founder of No Wire Hangers. Read the full interview here.
Insights shared by Julie Naylon, a professional organizer and founder of No Wire Hangers. Read the full interview here.
Process
7-Day Packing Checklist
Example Packing List for a 7-Day TripOpt for a carry-on or a medium-sized suitcase.
A 22-inch (56 cm) bag offers enough room for packing a week's worth of clothes. Carry-ons are ideal during the summer when you pack lighter items and just a few layers. However, for the winter months, you may need to upgrade to a medium-sized suitcase due to bulkier clothing and extra layers. For a 7-day winter trip, a 24- to 27-inch (60-69 cm) suitcase should suffice.
- Choose a softshell suitcase if you want extra flexibility and space, particularly if you plan to buy souvenirs.
- Opt for a hard suitcase if you prioritize protection.
- While most domestic flights won't require checking in a 22-inch (56 cm) bag, international flights may have stricter carry-on size restrictions, often requiring a 21-inch (53 cm) bag or smaller.
- Carry-ons are typically measured by their height. For example, a 22-inch (56 cm) bag is generally 22 inches (56 cm) tall, 14 inches (35.5 cm) wide, and 9 inches (23 cm) deep.
Consider re-wearing clothes from your packing list.
Pack 5 tops and 2-3 bottoms for a 7-day adventure. Include at least one jacket or layering piece, and add more if your destination is on the chillier side. Review your planned activities as well—if you'll be attending a fancy dinner or formal event, pack a nice shirt or dress, along with formal shoes. Here's an example of what to pack for a week-long trip:
- 5 shirts
- 2-3 pairs of pants, shorts, or skirts
- 1-2 dressy outfits
- 1 sweater or jacket (add layers for colder weather)
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of flip-flops or sandals (perfect for beach vacations or warm weather)
- 1 swimsuit
- 1 set of workout gear (increase this if you're a fitness enthusiast)
- 1-2 pairs of pajamas
- 5-7 pairs of socks
- 5-7 pairs of underwear
- Accessories (scarves, gloves, hats, jewelry)
Select versatile basics that can be mixed and matched.
Choose clothes that follow a coordinated color palette. For a timeless ‘capsule wardrobe,’ opt for classic shades like black, white, grey, and navy. You can always brighten things up with accessories like scarves or hats.
- For example, you might pack black trousers or dark jeans, a white T-shirt, and a denim jacket.
Simplify your packing list.
Distinguish between ‘essential’ items and ‘just in case’ ones. Lay all your clothes out, either on the bed or the floor. Visualize possible outfit combinations and remove any items that don’t seem necessary. When you see everything together, you may realize that shirt doesn’t match those pants! Or perhaps you’ll notice that you can’t realistically wear that oversized sunhat more than once on your trip.
- However, don’t dismiss all ‘just in case’ items—some are still vital, like a raincoat or umbrella if rain is expected.
Consider using packing cubes.
Packing cubes are great for organizing your items and saving space. These compact, zippered fabric containers help you neatly separate your belongings. For example, use one cube for socks and underwear, and another for swimwear. The cubes fit perfectly in your suitcase, maximizing your packing efficiency!
- Keep your phone chargers and cords in one cube or pouch for easy access.
Roll and bundle lighter clothing items.
Roll your T-shirts and thin layers for better packing efficiency. Rolling your clothes into compact cylinders is quicker than folding and saves space. Start by folding the sleeves of your shirt or light sweater, then fold it in half lengthwise, and roll up the material.
- This method works best for synthetic fabrics like polyester and lycra, which are less prone to wrinkles compared to natural fabrics like cotton or linen.
- For bulkier items, like sweaters or wool garments, folding works better.
- Avoid rolling clothes that wrinkle easily, such as dress shirts or linen garments.
- You can combine rolling with packing cubes to optimize space. Rolled items can even fit inside cubes to maximize capacity.
Stuff small items into your extra shoes.
Fill your shoes with socks, underwear, or even sunglasses. This trick saves precious space, and it’s also a great way to protect delicate items. For example, if you have loose small items like chargers or coins, place them in a plastic bag and stash it inside your shoes.
Cover your shoes with shower caps.
Keep your clothes clean from dirty shoes with this clever packing trick. Use a hotel shower cap to wrap your shoes, placing them sole-side down inside. If you don’t have a shower cap, grocery store bags work just as well!
- Once your shoes are individually covered, pack them toe-to-heel with the insteps facing each other. This method is the most efficient way to organize your shoes!
Place your heaviest items at the bottom.
Arranging your items in the right order maximizes space and balances your suitcase. Position your heavy items near the wheelbase to prevent tipping. Bulkier items, like shoes or thicker sweaters and pants, should go first. Then, layer horizontally, placing your rolled clothes on top of the heavy items. Finally, add any wrinkle-prone pieces on top, ideally in a dry-cleaning or laundry bag for protection.
Wear your bulkiest clothing.
Don’t waste space in your bag with bulky jackets and shoes—wear them instead! Putting on your heavy layers and boots keeps you warm during your flight and frees up a lot of space in your suitcase. If you start feeling too warm, simply remove the layer and roll your jacket up to use as a travel pillow.
- For example, if you're heading on an outdoor adventure, wear your heavy hiking boots on the plane.
Group your travel-sized toiletries together.
Store your toiletries in a clear bag for easy access. Keeping your toiletries organized in a single bag makes it simpler to remove them at security checkpoints if you’re carrying on. Just remember that liquids should be under 3.4 oz. (100 mL). If you're checking your luggage, it's still a good idea to use a clear plastic bag to prevent leaks from damaging your clothes during transit.
- If you travel often, consider getting refillable travel-sized bottles so you don't need to buy mini versions of your go-to products.
- Want to pack light? Many hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and soap, so you might not need to bring your own.
- Hotel hairdryers can be quite dirty. If you’re not comfortable using theirs, let your hair air dry or bring along a compact travel hairdryer.
Limit your electronics to the essentials.
Minimize the number of devices you bring and protect them well. For added protection, store your devices in a padded laptop bag. If you don’t have one, wrap them in clothes, bubble wrap, or crumpled paper to keep them safe. Tidy up your cables and secure them with a twist tie or rubber band to avoid tangling.
- Consider leaving your bulky camera behind and relying on your phone’s camera to cut down on devices and cables.
- Load your e-books onto your tablet, phone, or computer to avoid bringing a separate e-reader and charger.
- If you don’t have a laptop sleeve, make one by using a bubble-wrap mailing envelope.
- Don’t forget country-specific power outlet adapters if you're traveling abroad.
- If you’re carrying devices with lithium-ion batteries, make sure to carry them in your hand luggage as they can’t be checked due to fire risk.
Pack a few travel snacks for the journey.
Save money by packing your own snacks. Starting your trip on an empty stomach isn’t ideal! You can bring solid food through airport security, but be ready to take your snacks out of your bag, just like you would with electronics. Prepare fresh fruit and veggies like apples and carrots in baggies for a healthy bite. For a protein boost, hard boil some eggs or pack nuts and jerky. Granola bars also make for a quick and easy snack when you're on the go.
- Don’t forget to bring an empty reusable water bottle. You can fill it up once you're past security.
- Choose a reusable bottle with a carabiner hook or handle, so you can clip it to the outside of your bag and save space.
