I’m guilty. Guilty of getting sucked into the “carry on” only hype. And I get it. Going carry on only for your vacations does make sense. You save on luggage fees. You don’t have to arrive super early to check your baggage. You don’t have to worry about losing your luggage. And maybe the best perk, when you arrive at your destination you can just breeze out of the airport without a care in the world. But what if you LIKE your stuff. What if you can’t simply can’t decide what you want to wear next Tuesday for dinner or Thursday when you really don’t know what the weather will be like. What if you have a bit of a shoe problem and don’t want to leave any of your faves behind. My friends, I’m about to buck the norm here, disagree with every other trendy travel expert out there and blow your mind. I’m going to tell you to forget everything you’ve been told about how to pack and instead tell you to embrace your inner hoarder and PACK ALL THE THINGS! Okay, maybe not all the things – but LOTS MORE THINGS. Here we go I’m about to blow your mind….
Do you feel giddy? A weight being lifted off your shoulders? That’s freedom, my friends. The freedom of stress free packing! Now you don’t have to fit your entire life in a duffle. I mean, that concept is just ridiculous, right? But when you embrace “packing all the things you suddenly have the freedom to pack seven maxi dresses, shoes to go with all those dresses plus matching sweaters and jackets to boot! Can’t decide between 2 cover-ups. You don’t have to! Bring them both. You’ve been planning and dreaming about this trip for weeks, months, maybe years? Why ruin it by stressing about how you’re going to get everything you need for your trip into one teeny tiny bag. The solution. Don’t.
When you forget the carry-on only concept you get to:
- Pack just about as many outfit choices as you would like to.
- Embrace the concept of an extra pair of shoes.
- Pack full-size sunscreen and after-sun to protect the pretty. (um have you seen how much sunscreen costs at resorts?)
- Forget having to buy travel size shampoos/and conditioners and hope and pray the hotel has decent enough stuff for you to use when those run out. (I mean really, how long do those travel size shampoos last? When you have as much hair as I do, maybe 2 washes if you’re lucky)
- Suddenly the flat iron doesn’t have to be left behind because you have room!
- Bonus. You now have room to shop and bring home souvenirs.
So what’s the down side?
- You will have to pay for your luggage and that kind of sucks.
- You will have to wait for your luggage to come off that plane – BUT this gives you time to pee – so there’s that
So if you decide to buck the new norm of carry-on only trend, a few words of advice.
- Don’t go super crazy. Still plan out that wardrobe carefully and pack what you think you will wear, then edit out a few pieces.
- If travelling with a partner, spouse or family member consider the 50/50 rule. Half your wardrobe in his suitcase. Half in your own. Then if the worst happens you only lose half of your favourite things.
- Still take a carry on! Just a smaller one. This carry on should have all your important documents, your medications, any valuables that would break your heart to lose and in my opinion one bathing suit and one change of clothes.
Deep breath, enjoy your trip – and the freedom to pack all the things.
Happy travels!
It is more important to me to have that freedom to pack more! And it’s so much more pleasant when you’re able to use or wear the item that you were actually able to pack. So worth it.
Great tips.. the 50/50 rule is genius! My husband is pro-carry on only, but I feel more secure with having a full luggage (I am guilty of over-packing) – as you mentioned, I really dislike running out of my travel toiletries.
I think it all depends on the trip. 3 days in Vegas? A carry-on can usually do just fine. But going to Italy?? That would require bringing a LOT of stuff. Sometimes you need to have your “home away from home” which requires your STUFF! I would do the same & bring tons of outfits and shoes & leave room to bring home those olive oils & artworks & wines!
Just thinking about only being able to bring “carry on” instead of checking luggage stresses me out. I always overpack, moreso for my kids than myself, but I do. I do agree about the shoes. I mean, how many shoes do you need for a trip?
I like to have all my things too. I don’t like having to buy expensive toiletries or clothing if I minimize on a trip.
The only time I only use a carry on is when I go to Vegas for 4 nights! When I fly home to NB I want a Holiday and don’t do Laundry for 10 days. So I need lots of clothes and I like to bring my pillow.
I agree with bringing a few pairs of shoes. I’ve been on a trip where my shoes unexpectedly broke and having to buy new ones.
That is a super smart tip about sharing 50/50 with someone. I would never have thought of it. Also I’m a pack all the things kinda girl. You just made it okay… because I needed permission.