When Packing Less is More

Every time we've gone on a cruise I'm totally amazed at the amount of luggage some people bring. On the first day of the cruise you can barely walk down the hallways as luggage is being delivered. I’ve seen 4-6 full sized suitcases outside staterooms with only 2 occupants and wondered if they’ve smuggled people inside the extra suitcases. Personally, I've always found it stressful to try and manage multiple pieces of luggage on any journey let alone one where closet and drawer space is minimal. My goal has become to pack everything I need for a 7-10 day journey in only a carry-on and a backpack. Packing less has freed me to be stress-free and enjoy my journeys more. In fact, on our 7-day cruise on Silversea out of San Juan last November, hubby and I each took only a carry-on and backpack. It was a liberating experience to prove to myself once and for all why packing less is more.

Packing less means more money (savings on checked bag fees), more stress-free travel (no worries about lost luggage since it traveled in the cabin with you or you rolled it onboard the ship yourself) and more simple wardrobe options (everything you packed coordinates with everything else). To make this work, it's important you make the most of the 2466 cu. inches you have in your carry-on luggage and make a smart choice for your "personal item".

Since clothing is the biggest variable when packing, and takes up the most space, having the least number of clothing items that provide the greatest number of wardrobe options is the key. If you're adventurous, love to travel, and want to pack less - packing a Capsule Wardrobe comes in handy.

What is a Capsule Wardrobe you ask? It's a small collection of clothes that you love, feel good wearing and work together in different combinations to create different outfits. There are several popular guides on how a Capsule Wardrobe is assembled. Including: "The Rule of 3" by Travel Fashion Girl , the "5-4-3-2-1" Rule by Geneva Vanderzeil on Collective Gen and finally the "Universal Packing List" by Classy Yet Trendy

My personal favorite is the Universal Packing List because it allows for more flexibility and still keeps the number of items to a minimum. On our Silversea cruise, my packing goal was to take only a carry-on and a backpack. Using the Universal Packing List below here’s how I did it:

The biggest challenge came because we were traveling in both warm and cool climates. In that case, creative layering was the answer. It was cool mid-November in Texas when we departed, so layering my travel outfit was important since we departed Austin and arrived in balmy San Juan. I wore black stretch jersey pants, a long sleeve black t-shirt, a denim jacket, and Skechers. I used the black & white print scarf as an extra layer and as a "blanket" on the flight. Repeat in reverse for the return trip home. I use primarily black and white as my neutrals for warm weather travels so that is how I assembled this Capsule Wardrobe.

My favorite piece of luggage for my journeys is my Ikea Upptacka rolling backpack.

(NOTE:IKEA has discontinued the UPPTÄCKA backpack and replaced it with the FÖRENKLA backpack, which is similar but not as functional.) With this ingenious item you have the option of using it as a backpack (or two backpacks, but I’ll get to that later) or a wheeled carry-on. The wheels on the main backpack are in-line skate-style, so they don’t extend enough to make the Upptacka outside the measurements for a carry-on. And it’s got an extendable wired stand with hard plastic tips on the bottom so it will stand upright when you need it to. On the dual backpack concept, when unzipped and separated, your one piece of luggage can become a carry-on AND a “personal item” when you need to get past the airport check-in desk.

Here’s what I pack in my backpack:

· Passport and small wallet with money, IDs and Insurance cards

· Eye mask, ear plugs, noise-cancelling headphones

· Travel sized reef-friendly sunscreen

· Travel sized insect repellent & anti-itch cream

· Travel over-the-counter medicine kit - I use a large AM/PM pill holder and write the contents on the underside of each in permanent marker

· Prescription medicines in original bottles

· Travel sized laundry detergent & 4 clothes

· Hand sanitizer & anti-bacterial wipes (Travel Size)

· I-pad, cables, headphones and multi-USB charging station

· Cell phone, cables, and extra battery

· Electrical converters/adapters (as needed)

· Sunglasses

· Prescription glasses & case, contact lens case & replacement lenses, saline solution

· Specialty charging cables for Fitbit, etc

· Cameras & memory cards (if used)

· Several large Ziploc bags (for storage as needed)

· Swimsuit - I’m already wearing the “cover-up” scarf (I pack this because I usually turn my carry-on over to the porters dockside and this allows me to change and start getting some sun time)

· White t-shirt (from my capsule wardrobe, so I change into a warm weather friendly outfit from my swimsuit in case luggage is taking awhile to get to our stateroom)

· Makeup kit (travel sized containers of moisturizer & foundation, blush/bronzer, 2 lipsticks-neutral and evening colors, eye shadow –neutral palette, eye liner and mascara)

I take laundry detergent because many cruise lines, like Silversea, have laundry facilities available for passenger use. If not, you can always hand wash clothes and hang to dry as needed.

Here are the clothing items I packed:

4 necklace sets-(I put each necklace set into a small Ziploc bag & pack them in the crossbody bag)

3 Tops (sleeveless tank, white t-shirt, black t-shirt)

3 Bottoms (floral shorts, floral pants, white pants)

2 Pairs of sandals (1 casual, 1 dressy)

1 Scarf (colorful one as I was wearing the other)

1 Dress

1 Sweater (thin cotton blend)

1 Swimsuit

1 Pair of leggings (for workout or PJ bottoms)

1 Pair of earrings (or you can wear them to further accessorize your trave outfit)

1 small crossbody bag

1 Wrap (fancier style for formal night)

When actually packing, I’m a member of the “roll-it” club. Underwear gets rolled and placed into my smallest packing cube, then into my carry-on. I’ve found that this makes unpacking and organization in the stateroom a breeze. I simply remove it from the bag, unzip the cover, tuck it under the packing cube and place it in a drawer or on a shelf (preferred) in the closet. I’ve also been known to roll my bottoms and then gather my tops (still on their hangers) and fold them into the carry-on. It all depends on the fabric of the tops. If they’re prone to wrinkle, I’ll use the hanger method, otherwise they’re rolled. Actually, the packing part could be its own blogpost. I’ll be sure to document my next trip’s packing experience for the blog.

I hope you found this information helpful. If you haven’t packed for a trip using a Capsule Wardrobe, you should give it a try. I’d love to hear how it works for you. In the meantime, Happy Travels!

Sue