Packing With Only A Carry-On

I never check luggage. Even when I’m on the road for six plus weeks, I only travel with a carry-on bag and a small backpack, along with my 7-in-1 wallet. Checking luggage has no upside. It’s expensive and time consuming. I like to jump off the plane and hit the ground running. No waiting at the carousel for luggage. Here’s how I do it:

On the plane, I wear my heaviest items, including my bulkiest outer wear and shoes/boots. Aside from a dress, on the plane I wear black leggings, a merino wool hoodie, and a merino wool or fleece sweater/jacket, and a down vest that doubles as a pillow.

I choose clothing that in neutral or earth tones, often black, tan or grey -- so there's a lot of mix and matching -- with tees, tanks and a scarf providing bright accent colors.

Almost all the clothes I pack do not wrinkle and are made of wickable fabrics, which means they don't absorb moisture easily so you stay dry as you race about town, but they also dry relatively quickly when you wash them. (I hand wash my underwear, pants, shorts, dresses and shirts and they dry in no time.)

When packing my bag, I roll all the clothing. 

Here’s what I pack in my carry-on:

2 dresses

1 pair of pants (that convert to shorts)

2 t-shirts

2 long sleeve shirts

1 tank top

1 buff (that doubles as a scarf/hat)

1 rain jacket

1 pair of Mary Janes or sandals

3 pair of socks (Merino wool)

3 pairs of underwear (Merino wool)

Here’s what I pack in my small backpack:

iPhone plus bluetooth keyboard

First-aid kit

Vitamin supplements
Sunscreen

Toiletries in travel sizes that fit in the TSA-recommended bag

Charging cords and international plug

Earplugs and eye mask

My 7-in-1 Wallet contains:
credit cards
drivers license
passport
lip balm
toothpicks
money
cell phone
business cards