Full disclosure, I hate to check bags. I’m one of those people always on the look-out for packing ideas and reading articles such as “Around the World With One Suitcase” or “Cruise 90 Days With Only A Carry-On”. OK – I made those up.
I will check a bag when I need many different types of clothing in one trip, such as a cruise with formal nights, or a trip with multiple climate changes. However, if I can get by with one carry-on piece, I’m a much happier traveler. It’s liberating and more convenient. There isn’t always a porter around, the airlines lose or delay bags too often (in another article I’ll tell you about the time my checked bag caught up with my eight day cruise on day six!), and if you want to stand-by or change to a different flight, it is much easier without checked luggage.
Here are some of my suggestions for traveling “unchecked”.
- Wear or carry your jacket instead of packing it.
- Use a backpack or roomy purse as your “personal” item. This is the item that is stowed under the seat in front of you. You can pack your toiletries, jewelry, and electronics in your personal bag and have more room in the larger bag for clothes and shoes.
- Pick your shoes first and then your clothes, rather than matching shoes with outfits. Select a shoe color that coordinates with a lot of pieces. Neutral shoes such as black or tan are more versatile. It may be boring, but almost everything will go with black. I change things up with bright scarves, pashminas and tops to go with black pants or skirts. Gentlemen can flex with shirts and ties.
- Select items that can be worn more than once. Pants that will work for daytime with a tee and then dressed up with a smart top or nice tie for evenings, for example. And plan to wear items more than once. Don’t try to have a different ensemble for every day.
- One pair of shoes in the bag. Wear “walking” shoes during travel and have a pair of sandals or dressier shoes for occasional wear. This is the hardest part for me to do! But, shoes take up a lot of space.
- Packing cubes. These are great, not only for saving space but for corralling some of the smaller items in your wardrobe such as undergarments and socks.
- Roll instead of fold. Clothes will take up less space. And, bonus, the wrinkles are fewer and shake out easier.
- Toiletries. Take only the minimum you can get by with. Personally, I don’t take hair products, body lotion, etc. I’m not picky, I’ll use whatever the hotel or ship provides. I do take my own face lotion, but I “make do” with one instead of my usual two. Everyone has a different tolerance level for this, so peer into your toiletry bag and see if you can’t manage a few days with a substitute here and there. When possible, buy items such as sunscreen and bug spray at your destination, instead of packing them.
Hope some of these ideas help you out on your next trip. And enjoy traveling “unchecked”!