How this Curvy Girl Packs Up to Two Weeks Into a Carry-On! The CurvesWithKicks 5 C's to Packing
With checked-baggage fees on the rise, more and more of us are bringing our belongings with us as our carry-on item. But, when we have 1-2 weeks to pack for, we are left to give in and pack the big suitcase lugging it with us to and fro. Over the years, I have learned how to pack and best use the items I am packing for over a week - and still have extra outfits, undies, and other accessories! I have also figured out how to make the best of my curvy wardrobe by taking up un-used space for packing even more goodies in places like between my large bra cups.
Ever since I learned a valuable lesson in traveling with way too much luggage on a 1.5 week trip to England, I have stuck with the below and it has greatly reduced my anxiety with frequent traveling. Yes, I was that girl with the 3 pieces of luggage and regretted it every flight of narrow stairs I took and every car I loaded.
This post is showing examples of what I have packed for a tropical trip, but I have used the same methods for packing a 2-week trip to Scotland in the fall into a single carry-on - and it all fit! Even with being a plus-sized woman (larger body = more fabric to cover my curves).
If you really focus in on the essentials, put a plan together, do a couple practice runs and just have fun with it all - you too can do this!
The CurvesWithKicks 5 C's to Packing!
COORDINATE, COMPRESS, CONSOLIDATE, CARE-FREE & CARRY-WEAR
1) COORDINATE Pack coordinated outfits versatile for multiple wears - bring your travel Downey or Febreeze laundry sprays to freshen your clothes!
2) COMPRESS Every inch of space is critical to packing for this period of time so ROLL ROLL ROLL and STUFF STUFF STUFF! Use packing cubes or compression bags to help consolidate space. Use empty spaces like between large-cup bras or inside your shoes.
3) CONSOLIDATE Pair down to essentials. We are all guilty of not using about 25-30% (or more) of what we end up packing for our trips. So get your system down and bring only what you need to make every item count! Ditch that umbrella for the just-in-case moment - you can buy one on the cheap when you are there if your accommodations do not already provide you with this for free.
4) CARE-FREE If you can, ditch packing bulky personal care items and purchase when you get to your destination (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sunscreen). This will be less of a hassle when going through security, too. I typically only pack my specialty face cream, deodorant, a toothbrush, razor and travel toothpaste. That's it! Everything else my hotel will provide or I can easily purchase at the airport upon arrival or at a nearby shop to where I am staying.
5) CARRY-WEAR Wear your bulkiest clothing items onto the plane as removable layers. The sneakers you need to bring, the puffy coat required for your trip, the sturdy denim jeans... try to wear these item for the plane ride and politely tuck any unwanted layers above your carry-on bag in the bin above for the flight.
Planning:
Planning is everything when it comes to traveling and being mindful to what you are packing. For me, I start the process about 3-4 weeks prior to departing for places I haven't traveled to before.
I start with writing down columns for each day, and if I know of any scheduled activities, I write those down as well and think about what is needed to wear for those events.
Then, I scan through my closet and pull out my key items I want to bring, trying to aim for a color scheme/aesthetic that is consistent for the trip. From there, I write down these items by outfits per day. And then I edit - removing items I don't need, or figuring out holes that I need to fill by purchasing new items or digging thru my closet.