While I'm capable of packing minimally when necessary, I still often choose to go by the "If it fits, it sits" rule and take whatever I can. Prior to my trips and before garments make it into my bag, I normally plan my wardrobe or at least create different options of looks followed by a process of narrowing it down to items that serve a multitude of purposes/create more than one outfit. I like having options and wearing different things (c'mon, I'm a lover of fashion!). However, the "heavy" problem arises during the winter season when bulky coats, layers, boots, and accessories create a hassle for someone trying to travel on a budget by skipping a check-in bag at the airport. So, after many failed attempts and lost time spent on trying to close my luggage using my body weight, I've discovered a few tricks on how to avoid the guilt and still take all your winter wants. Continue reading to get the inside scoop on how to travel like Mary Poppins and fit everything and anything into a carry-on and personal item bag. The following is how I packed for my most recent winter 3 night/4 day trip to NYC from Florida:
Throughout the seasons, my process of planning outfits followed by reducing them to the most realistically useful pieces remains the same. However, the succeeding steps to my packing requires some alterations during the winter season (or when traveling to a cold destination) due to the increased layers, coats, and other frost bite deterrents that have to share a space. The most common trick is to carry your heaviest coat with you in the airport and wear bulkier items. However, after becoming more self-aware and after much experience of traveling from Florida to a place 40 degrees colder, I've learned that having to depart from a hot location while holding/wearing my heaviest coat puts me in a really bad mood and quickly makes me impatient and irritated (NOT how you want to be when starting a long travel day and traveling with other people). That being said, this trip I decided to attempt to fit 2 large coats into my carry-on and was successful. This was made possible by using Ziploc Space Bags. Using these bags, I was able to condense my 2 large, fluffy coats and make it fit with shoes, clothes, and accessories.
(How it works: fill a bag with clothes until you reach the line. Zip the bag. Slowly roll the bag while maintaining downward pressure to release the air. Unroll and flatten the bag once all the air has escaped. Pack it into your luggage.)
*This is not a sponsored ad, I just swear by these bags and love to use them even when it's not totally necessary. It's super easy to use, comes in a variety of sizes, and makes traveling so much more organized. I find that this also helps to prevent leaving/losing something in the hotel room because you're better able to keep all of your belongings together in one place. I purchased these bags from Bed Bath & Beyond, but they can also be found at Target, Walmart, and Amazon. Click the following below to check out the ones from Bed Bath & Beyond: https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/ziploc-reg-space-bag-reg-6-count-travel-variety-pack/5151096?opbthead=true&ta=typeahead&keyword=ziploc-travel
After deciding on what to bring, I began by creating a base layer: fitting thinner/flatter items in the gaps between the rods that make the bottom of the luggage uneven. Once I created an even base, I placed one space bag filled with a coat on top of the base layer.
I stuffed my boots with socks, then put each individual boot in a bag to prevent them from touching my clean clothes. I laid them down with the soles of the boots touching the sides of the luggage at the bottom. (When packing, always make the bottom heavier than the top to avoid the luggage from being top heavy and falling/making it harder to maneuver). I put thin accessories and leggings in the inside top compartment. I used another space bag for my sweaters/other tops and wore jeans on the plane to avoid having to pack them (it was only about a 2 hour flight and I didn't feel too uncomfortable wearing them). I left a couple of items outside of space bags just because I ran out of them. These items were either rolled into crevices or laid flat underneath and on top of the space bags. I used the inner side zipper compartment to store undergarments. I strategically placed the space bag storing my coat that I needed for my arrival in NY in an accessible location on the top layer within in the luggage. Lastly, I clipped the inside straps of the luggage and pulled on it to tighten and condense all of the items within it.
When traveling from NYC back to Florida, I rearranged the organization of my luggage because my departing location was FREEZING. So this time, I wore my heaviest coat and left the other one packed in the space bag. Even though I used most of what I brought, there were a few leftover garments (as well as some new purchases). I'm really weird about my clean and dirty clothes being together so I refolded all the used sweaters and apparel and put them into one space bag separate from the unused clothes in a different one. I filled my boots and the plastic bags with used socks and undergarments, but this time stood them upwards with its sides pressed against the side structures of the luggage. The rest of the packing in the luggage stayed the same: items not enclosed in space bags lined the bottom base to create a flat, even surface, and others were rolled to fit in between crevices.
Along with my carry-on luggage, I also brought a "personal item": Guess Dome Travel Tote. This bag IS my favorite travel bag because it allows me to fit so many things in it without breaking the sturdy leather straps. Inside this bag, I keep my liquids (all in a quart size bag and all 3.4oz or less per TSA regulations), chargers and headphones (in a ziploc bag for easy finding), laptop, a scarf and socks, leggings, a hat, makeup, and of course my sunglasses and wallet as well as my boarding pass. I also put my purse in this bag just because I had room for it.
I know some of these descriptions can get confusing, so I hope these included photos can help. Please feel free to comment or contact me with any questions, concerns, or tips and suggestions that could help me and others! As always, thanks for reading and happy traveling!!
XOXO,
Alyssa Ashley