How To Pack Everything For Your Vacation Into a Carry-on

Check the 10-day weather forecast of your destination so you’ll know whether you’ll need more warm- or cool-weather clothes. You also don’t want to waste space on an umbrella, shorts, or a heavy coat if they’re not likely to be needed.

Allow yourself a few favorite pieces of clothes for fun or special occasions in colors that you love. Everything else should be dark or neutral colors that can be worn with these pieces and mixed and matched with each other to create a number of outfits.

Follow the general rule of two: pack 2 short-sleeved shirts, 2 long-sleeved shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, and 2 pairs of long pants.

Choose clothes made from synthetic fabrics, especially underwear and socks. When hand-washed, they’ll drip-dry twice as fast as cotton, so you can pack fewer of them.

Do your very best to bring only two pairs of shoes: comfortable walking shoes and something that can be worn to a nice restaurant or club at night. Wear the bulkier of the two on the plane.

Tightly roll your tops and pants and secure them with rubber bands. Save extra space by stuffing your shoes with socks and filling outside pockets with smaller items like underwear.

The FAA prohibits liquids in quantities of more than three ounces—a rule that forces you to pack wisely. Buy three-ounce containers to fill with your most essential toiletries, and put a couple of each into one-quart zip-top plastic bags. Stuff the bags into the nooks and crannies of your luggage.

Bring some extra straps for your carry-on so you can attach bulky items like a jacket or sweater. You can also use them at night to create a laundry line.

You’ve done it. Now don’t you feel as light as a feather?