A minimal wardrobe is a great strategy for traveling carry-on only. A few key pieces that are interchangeable and can be layered with a few accessories should round out your wardrobe for your trip. A few things to consider:
- Weather forecast at your destination – if it is significantly different from the weather at your origin point, layered clothing would help with adjusting to the temperatures changes. Cardigans, button-down long sleeve shirts, and oversized long sleeve t-shirts can take the place of a bulky jacket, occupying a fraction of your luggage real estate.
- Events you may be attending – if you’re traveling for a wedding, for example, be sure to pack your formal attire in a packing envelope to minimize wrinkles and keep your special occasion clothing protected.
- Active events that require specific gear – swimming, walking tours, biking, hiking, etc… Make an effort to have this specific gear be versatile enough to be wearable on days where these activities are not occurring as well.
Style does not need to be compromised with a carry-on only wardrobe. After considering the above, a palette should be determined so that individual pieces of clothing can combined with others. Take into account colors and patterns that you like and start building from there. With a palette in place, you’ve edited your options down to items that coordinate with each other efficiently.
Now that you’ve edited your wardrobe down to fit into your carry-on, you can breeze past baggage claim and get on with your trip in style.