This bag weighs 7.8 lbs and has the following exterior dimensions: 22" × 14" × 9", making it the perfect size for international travel on most airlines. It also has an exterior pocket for your laptop or other small and/or thin items.

I also brought the JanSport Big Student Backpack (as an Amazon Associate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases) as my personal item:  

I always carry a backpack as my personal item, and I've owned various versions of this backpack for probably two decades now. While I have another backpack that I usually take when I travel for work, I really haven't found another backpack that has a better placement of zippers and pockets than this one. My only "complaint" about this backpack is that it doesn't have a trolley sleeve in the back so that you can securely attach it to the handle of your carry-on, but this backpack wasn't necessarily meant for travel, and it's a minor inconvenience for a sturdy backpack that has so many other pluses.
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​Note that I did bring a purse with me on my trip to Chicago. Airlines allow a carry-on and personal item onto the plane. Note that a purse, regardless of size, is considered a personal item. If you want to bring a purse in addition to your carry-on and backpack/duffel/tote/etc., it needs to be able to fit inside your personal item, or you need to pack it in your carry-on. Since I want easy access to my purse, I usually bring one small enough to fit in my personal item once it's time to get on the plane. My go-to purse is a cross-body that's relatively flat so that it can easily slide inside my backpack. Note that airlines don't necessarily require that your personal item close with your purse inside of it, just that you're able to stuff your purse inside :). Since purchasing it in Lisbon this past May, I've been using the Speedy Purse from Cork & Co. on all of my travels: 

I absolutely love this purse. Made of cork, it's waterproof, sustainable, and easy to clean. The strap can also be easily adjusted. And at 10.2 in  x 6.6 in x 2.0 in, it easily fits inside my JanSport backpack! But most importantly, it fits quite a lot for being a small purse! 

In the past, I've used packing cubes for travel. While packing cubes are great for organizing items, unless you're using compression packing cubes, they're not necessarily the best to use when trying to maximize space in your luggage. In addition, while packing cubes work well for items like tanks and T-shirts, they simply don't work as well for bulky or large items such as sweaters and dresses. 
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​On my last few trips, including my Portugal trip earlier this year, I've switched to using the lay flat method. The lay flat method is a packing technique where clothes are folded as little as possible and laid flat inside the suitcase, rather than being rolled or folded tightly. This method helps you use space more efficiently (a word that I love :)) and minimizes creasing, for bulkier items especially. 

This method reduces the amount of space clothes take up and I've personally found that it minimizes wrinkles (I recommend steaming or ironing your items before packing) since the fabric is stretched out rather than compressed into tight folds. This method is especially useful for delicate fabrics like rayon or silk that crease easily or when packing structured clothing like blazers.
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​Here's how I packed all my clothing items in one side of my carry-on (with room to spare!):

Item #1 - Maxi Dress

Item #2 - Maxi Skirt

Item #3 - Denim Midi Skirt

Item #4 - Denim Jacket

Item #5 - Cropped Cardigan

Item #6 - Cropped Cardigan

Item #7 - Sweater Tank

Note that I did not pack a pair of shoes on this side of my carry-on as after putting my gold wedge sandals in a shoe bag, I put them on the other side of the carry-on as that side had up to that point been empty. And while I did not choose to put them on the side of the suitcase with my clothes, I still had enough space along the edges for my hairbrush and hair straightener.

While this is more relevant when traveling during cooler weather, you can create more space in your luggage by wearing your bulkiest items on the plane. This includes sweaters, coats, and boots. In the warmer months, this can mean wearing your bulkiest shoes or any coat on the plane. For this trip, I chose to wear denim pants, my black blouse, blush flats, and green utility jacket on the plane ride from Richmond. On the flight home, I swapped out the black blouse for the pink one above. I easily get cold on airplanes so I chose not to wear my bulkier wedge sandals on either flight. If traveling during the cooler months, your bulky coat can always double as a blanket if you don't want to wear it for the entire flight. You can also always store it in the overhead bin. In addition to wearing bulky items on the plane, I suggest that you either wear any jewelry on your flight or keep all of it in a pouch in your toiletry kit (which I typically put in my personal item in case my carry-on needs to be checked in for any reason). 

While I didn't do it for this trip, I usually pack an outfit in my personal item in case I have to check in my carry-on at the last minute. While I've never had an airline lose a checked bag, I like to be prepared in case there's an issue with my luggage. A personal item can also be a good place to carry an extra pair of shoes. Note that I like to pack socks and other small accessories into my shoes to maximize space even further. I also recommend using your personal item to pack any clothing items that you might need easy access to once you get off the plane. In cooler weather, this can be your hat, gloves, and/or scarf. 

​In conclusion, while choosing what to pack is extremely important, how you pack is equally important. By using the tips above, you can pack more efficiently, maximize space in your luggage, and keep important items easily accessible. Happy packing, and safe travels!

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