Clothing Packing Tips for Carry-On Only

Traveling carry-on only might seem restrictive and difficult to do, but I believe NOT checking luggage provides me with more freedom. Whether you’re trying to avoid checked bag fees, you’re worried about the airlines losing your luggage, or you just want to travel lighter, packing carry-on only is something you can easily do too. I’ll show you how!

If you’ve committed to traveling with only carry-on luggage, the amount of stuff you can bring will be limited. So how do you decide what to bring and what to leave at home?

Clothing is probably going to take up the most amount of room, but it’s also where you have the most flexibility, so it’s a good place to start. Here are some clothing packing tips for carry-on only travel.

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Wear It Again

A big part of limiting the amount of clothing you pack is being ok with wearing the same thing two or even three times without washing it. I’m not talking about underwear, just shirts, shorts, and pants.

Chances are your clothes won’t get noticeably dirty in just one day. Even when traveling to a hot destination where you will sweat a lot, does it matter if you put on a shirt you wore two days earlier if you’re just going to sweat through it again?

If you’re really concerned about your clothes smelling, consider buying clothing made from technical fabrics. They’ll wick moisture instead of absorbing it, and if they do get wet, they’ll dry quickly.

clothing packing tips for carry-on only travel

Laundry Is Not a Dirty Word

It might not seem like something you want to deal with on vacation, but it’s relatively easy to do laundry on the road. The ideal situation would be to have your hotel do your laundry.

Unless you’re staying at a five star resort, it should be reasonably priced. Ask the hotel ahead of time if you want to be prepared.

If laundry is expensive or not offered at your hotel, look for a local laundromat. In a pinch, I use these solid laundry detergent sheets to wash a couple pairs of socks and underwear in the sink.

I normally pack about a week’s worth of clothing. Knowing I’ll do laundry means I carry a lighter bag while I’m traveling, and that makes my life easier.

What materials are your clothes made from?

Certain fabrics pack up better than others. Consider clothing made from materials like merino wool since they keep you warm in cold weather, cool in warm weather, and they take up less space in your bag.

Other quick dry clothing, like outdoorsy shirts from Patagonia or Sherpa, are a good option too. They pack up smaller than cotton, and they’re really comfortable.

They usually dry faster than your normal cotton t-shirts, which is helpful if you decide to wash clothes in the sink. And they breathe better, so you won’t sweat as much and your clothes won’t smell. Even better for wearing the same thing a few times without washing it.

clothing for travel packing list
This blue shirt is one of my favorite quick dry items

Just In Case

You might be tempted to pack lots of alternative items just in case. Resist that temptation!

Think about what you’re actually going to do on your vacation, and bring clothing that fits with the types of activities you expect to do. Bringing a light jacket to the tropics in case of cold air conditioning or a cool night is fine. But you won’t need a winter coat.

If you’re expecting to go out for one nice dinner, don’t bring three outfits. Make the decision before you leave home so you don’t end up carrying around extra clothes you won’t wear.

clothing packing tips for carry-on only travel

To get the most use out of each item, make sure everything coordinates. A pair of pants that only match one shirt will just take up a lot of space.

Also, consider your personal comfort and how you normally like to dress. If you wear casual dresses most days, you probably won’t want to wear jeans on vacation, and vice versa.

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Shoes

Don’t pack too many pairs of shoes! (This tip is mostly for the ladies, but I’m sure there are a few guys out there who need to hear it, too.)

clothing packing tips for flying carry-on only

Not only are shoes heavy, but they take up a lot of precious space in your bag. Sturdy, comfortable sneakers or hiking boots make sense if you’re going to be walking or hiking, but one pair should be enough.

If you’re traveling to a warm destination, flip flops or sandals are useful as well, but again, stick to one pair.

And those shoes that only go with one outfit? Don’t bring them!

>>Read more: Can you bring makeup on a plane?

Remember that the main focus of your trip is the travel and the vacation itself, not what you’re wearing. You want to be comfortable and practical, but you don’t need to win any best dressed awards. Deciding what clothing you really need and leaving the rest at home will make a big difference in your suitcase.

Carry-on luggage other Travel Made Simple readers have purchased:


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Carry-on only might seem restrictive, but I believe less stuff can provide more freedom. Here are some clothing packing tips for carry-on only travel. #carryon #packing #packingtips #traveltips #travelhacks