How did I do? Packing in a Carry On
In case you missed it, I recently got back from vacation! We had an indirect flight, so I decided not to check a bag and risk losing my luggage.* (It’s happened to me before!) It inspired this packing tips post, and I thought I’d share a follow up.
Was I able to fit everything I wanted to pack?
Yes! All of the clothes and accessories I wanted to pack fit between my carryon and personal item.
Even packed an extra pair of sandals and some jewelry. Great success!
I brought:
5 bikinis
9 tops
8 bottoms
3 dresses
3 layers
4 pairs of shoes
2 hats
Did I cheat and use some of my husband’s packing space?
No and yes.
No: all of the clothes and accessories fit in my luggage.
Yes: I had to utilize his liquids bag to fit all of the toiletries I wanted. Could I have pared down to a single bag? If I absolutely had to. But I didn’t so I didn’t. No shame in my game!
Did I over pack or under pack?
Swim: wore 1/5, but don’t regret packing so many because there were at least two occasions where I thought we might swim, and we didn’t; I chalk it up to our eventual itinerary and the weather.
Tops: wore 6/9, had a couple extra basic tops, some linen layers just in case, and brought one along for a change I didn’t end up needing.
Bottoms: wore 6/8, didn’t wear denim shorts I’d packed for a possible day change, didn’t wear a skirt I brought as a dinner option on a night we stayed in.
Dresses: wore 2/3; packed the third more as a coverup that I didn’t end up needing. Not bad!
Layers: wore 3/3, very happy with my sweater and jacket choices!
Shoes: wore 4/4, multiple times each, great success!
Hats: wore 2/2, yay!
Total: 24/34 so about 70%.
And I wore all of the jewelry I brought!
I am very satisfied with how I packed! I brought a flexible collection of pieces because we didn’t have a specific itinerary before we left. I felt adequately prepared for everything we ended up doing, and definitely would’ve worn each item if I’d had the opportunity. And most importantly, I enjoyed everything that I wore!
The biggest category I overpacked in was swimwear. However, I can’t say I regret packing extra swimwear because I’d like to swim at any chance and I’m the kind of person who wants a fresh suit for each opportunity. So I’d never recommend under-packing on swimwear for a tropical vacation!
* The airline checked my carryon anyway.