In the summer of 2015, I spent two months traveling with friends…with only my purse and carry-on bag. This trip taught me a lot about traveling light and how much I could fit into a carry on bag. Now, I have hoarding tendencies, and I want to be prepared for every possible scenario. For example, let’s compare my luggage for two months in Europe to two weeks home for Christmas break the same year:
It’s crazy, but this is my thought process: What if it’s cold? What if it’s hot? What if it rains? I need walking shoes, shower shoes, slip ons, a strappy sandal. I’ll need an outfit for everyday and a few evening outfits. Then, RyanAir tells me that it’s 30 Euros to check a bag, and I have a sudden need to reevaluate my traveling wardrobe.
Tips for Traveling Light
I’m going to skip explanations for two often repeated steps:
- Don’t bring an outfit for every day- you don’t have room for it.
- Roll your clothes- it’s saves space.
Lay out everything
Before you put it in the bag, lay it all out, so you can see everything at one time.
Cut half of it
Whatever you think you need, cut it in half.
Wear Coordinating Layers
When we started our trip in Ireland at the beginning of June, it was cold, but when we ended in Budapest in August, we were in the middle of a heat wave. The solution is to bring layers. I had one pair of pants and a pair of leggings. On cold days, I wore the leggings under my pants. All my tops were short sleeves, but I had one cardigan that matched every top.
Bring One Waterproof Coat
A waterproof coat is great for rainy days, but it also helpful on windy, chilly days. On the colder days, I wore my cardigan under my rain coat to keep warm. Anytime we traveled, I just wore my coat to save space in my luggage.
Have solid toiletries.
One of the difficulties in traveling light is the 3 oz rule for toiletries. I avoided this by using three different bars of soap- one for my body, one for my hair, and one for my teeth. The three bars lasted me the whole summer
Bring a fast drying towel
I don’t like to spend a lot of money on travel accessories that I don’t think I will use again. However, a fast drying towel
Vodka and water spray
You will have to wear your clothes more than once. I learned this trick from a broadway costume designer. One part water to one part vodka. Spray on your clothes to sanitize. If you don’t drink vodka, it’s easy to pick up a single serving bottle at the liquor store.
Bring some hemp or parachute cord
If you have a limited wardrobe, you will probably have to wash something in a sink. A little bit of cord makes it easy to construct a clothes line no matter where you are. It’s also great repair item if the zipper on your bag breaks. Wrap it around your bag to seal it until you get home.
Any other suggestions for traveling light from your trips? Share them in the comments!
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