Traveling with just a carry-on suitcase is a nonnegotiable for me. I love to have all my things with me so I can walk right off the plan and into my destination, be it somewhere new and exciting or a long awaited return home. I’ve often surprised fellow travellers and friends with how little I seem to be able to travel with, even on trips up to a week or more.
In this roundup, I’ll share my space maximizing packing methods, my tried and tested carry-on suitcase recommendation that balance style, functionality, and durability, and other tools and trips to make packing light a breeze. Say goodbye to long waits at baggage claim and hello to streamlined packing, efficient mobility, and the freedom to focus on the journey itself.
Find a great carry on suitcase
The foundation to being able to travel with only a carry on suitcase is a great carry on suitcase! You’re looking for a bag that helps me you utilize every inch of space wisely, is easy to carry and manoeuvre, and stands out in a busy airport. My Solgaard Carry-On-Closet meets all the criteria and more, especially in the sweet pink colour I chose. Its standout feature is a patented, removable six-shelf system that allows travelers to pack, compress, and unpack their belongings efficiently. This design allows quick and easy access to items without the need to fully unpack, making it particularly convenient for frequent travelers, or people like me who tend to make a huge mess of their hotel room. And with dimensions of 20.8 x 13.4 x 9 inches, this suitcase meets carry on requirements for most international airlines.
And when I need to squeeze some extra items in for a longer trip, I forego the carry on closet, and use my favourite packing method, rolling. Instead of folding items, I roll them and lay them side by side in the suitcase, filling every nook and cranny. You’ll be surprised at how much more stuff you’ll be able to fit using this method.
Have a slick system for liquids
When it comes to travelling light, it’s the liquids that can slip people up. With airline restrictions on the amount of a single liquid you can bring in a carry on, it can be hard to travel with everything you need. For me, a refillable system is essential to keep my liquid organized as well as my skin and haircare routines consistence. I adore the Cadence travel capsules for this purpose. The magnetic labels are customizable, the capsules are leak proof and click together for easy packing. I just top up my favourite daily products for every trip and off I head through security. They also come in a variety of sizes and colours for all your travel needs.
Bring a roomy personal item
Travelling with just a carry on is much easier when you have a roomy and reliable personal item. Look for a bag that complies with airline regulations but can still hold a fair amount of stuff. As someone who works while travelling, I also look for a laptop compartment that’s padded for safety and accessible for convenience. Inner and outer pockets are also important for ease of use and access of important items. The Buggatti Porto Duffel bag has all of these features and more to make it a stylish and savvy personal item.
Embrace the fanny pack for vital items
Keeping items like your wallet, passport and phone close at hand is important while travelling. But since we’re only travelling with a carry on and a personal items, a fanny pack or other small cross body bag that will fit in your personal item is all you get! I personally love a fanny pack in a fun pattern or colour, and I have all my essential items at my fingertips when I need them, and it slides into the top of my Buggatti duffle so I don’t overdo it on my travel items. This little bag from rivedroite Paris is a great option.
Travel Sized Hair Tools
Hair tools can take up a lot of room when it comes to travel. If possible, invest in slim profile tools or travel sized tools to save on space and to stay stylish while traveling. I love the Shark FlexStyle™ Air Styling & Drying System. Its swivel design makes it slim for packing and functional for usage. It’s also multi-functional so you only need to pack one tool to achieve multiple styles. Straight, bouffant, sleek or curly, you’ve got access to all the looks without the bulky tool or suitcase.
Combine necessary items
A sleep mask and noise cancelling headphones are essential to travel for me. Thanks to Manta, these two essentials are found all in one with the Manta SOUND Sleep Mask, the most comfortable Bluetooth® sleep mask in existence. This combination sleep mask and Bluetooth headseat features razor-thin Bluetooth® headphones, perforated materials for airflow & ventilation, 2x the battery life of the leading competition at 20 hours on one charge, and True 100% blackout with zero eye pressure, even for side sleepers. Check it out for yourself here!
Nadia Elkharadly
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