The 4 Things I Usually Have in My Carry-On Bag
Photo by Kelly Dawson
Packing efficiently is an art — or perhaps, to make it feel more attainable, a skill. While it’s possible to throw everything you need into multiple suitcases and call it a day, there are a few reasons why I recommend scaling down. For starters, lugging a handful of bags through an airport for an adult is a self-induced Ironman I can’t support, and paying for their transit is expensive. Keeping track of everything you’ve brought from one place to the next is yet another stressor, and the whole process is nerve-wrecking enough. With a little planning, packing well can promote peace of mind.
Among those aforementioned reasons, I’ve also gotten used to traveling with a carry-on bag as a point of accessibility. If I were on my own, or for whatever reason didn’t have help, I still want to be able to manage my stuff.
I’ve packed minimally for weeks-long vacations, and here are four items I recommend to keep things light on the road.
A Reusable Travel Jar Set
I tend to buy the travel-sized versions of my favorite skincare products and then refill those smaller bottles as needed, but I also like to keep reusable jars on hand for items that may not have an itty-bitty alternative. This Sephora set is just large enough to fit a few days’ worth of products without adding bulk.
A Turtleneck Tank
I’ve written about how much I love a tank-top turtleneck, even in the summer, and packing one on a trip is one of my longtime secrets. It checks the box of coordinating with a range of possibilities, whether that’s a maxi skirt during the day or jeans at night, and looks really good in pictures. (Priorities.)
One-Piece Bathing Suit
I admit, I have a lot of bathing suits. I grew up in a beach town! But one thing that I try to remember for travel is this: I should always pack a bathing suit, but probably no more than two or three (the third option only makes sense if I’m parking myself on a beach for a few days). If I’m packing especially light, I like the option of a classic one-piece suit, because then I can simply wear shorts to complete the outfit, no cover-up needed. Rinse, dry, repeat when it comes to bathing suits on vacation — no one cares!
A Small Wallet
Don’t bring your entire wallet when you’re traveling. Trust me. You don’t need everything in there, and you barely need everything in there during your daily life. I like having a small wallet in my bag during trips, which is easier to track and won’t be as devastating to lose if something were to happen. I like something like this, and getting a wallet in a bright color is just fun.
Which items do you always pack in your travel bag? Let me know in the comments!
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