Pack Light, Dress Smart: Three Days, 24 Outfits, One Carry-On
Tuesday, September 03, 2024
Overpacking is a common problem and possibly even more so for shorter trips because of the perception that you can bring extra items without much hassle. However, I encourage everyone to travel as light as possible, even for weekend or short business trips. Especially if you're flying with a carry-on and personal item, it can get tiring lugging a heavy carry-on or backpack around a large busy airport (I've spent most of my life flying out of one of the two biggest airports in the U.S.). In this blog post, I'd like to share my top three tips for how to pack as light as possible for a long weekend and/or three day trip and how I was able to pack 24 outfits using only a carry-on.
Outfit Calculator
You'd be surprised at how few items of clothing you actually need to create a wealth of outfits. If you want to calculate how many outfits you can create from a certain number of items, you can use this general formula:
# of bottoms × # of tops × # of completer pieces × # of shoes = # of outfits
On my recent three day/two night work trip to New York City, I brought the following items:
- 2 pairs of pants
- 3 tops
- 2 completer pieces (denim jacket and lightweight cashmere wrap)
- 2 pairs of shoes
2 (pants)×3 (tops)×2 (completer pieces)×2 (shoes)=24 outfits
I bet you never expected nine pieces of clothing, three (and possibly four or five) of which won't need to be packed because you'll be wearing them in transit, could help you create 24 distinct looks. There's just one catch...
In order to be able to create 24 outfits from only nine pieces, all nine pieces need to be able to go with each other. Here are some tips for how to ensure maximum versatility.
Pick a Color Palette
With one notable exception, I chose to stick with a netural color palette for my NYC trip that consisted of the following colors.
- Black
- White
- Gray
- Blue (Navy and Denim)
- Red
And yes, you can mix navy and black! The combination of navy and black can look extremely chic and sophisticated as this color pairing offers a modern take on classic colors. Modern yet timeless is my jam!
Consider Your Schedule
What activities will you be engaging in on your trip? Will you be spending most of your time at the beach? Will you be sitting in a conference room for two whole days? Will you be attending a cocktail reception after a day of sightseeing? Do you plan to run three miles, take a yoga class, or go to the gym while you're out of town?
If there's absolutely no chance that you'll be working out while you're on your trip, I would think twice about bringing athletic sneakers or yoga pants. On my work trips to NYC, I get all of my exercise walking so I bring one pair of sneakers that are dressy enough to be acceptable in the workplace (usually a pair of leather sneakers) and one pair of comfortable flats that can be worn in situations where sneakers are too casual.
The bottom line is: Only pack items for activities and occasions you know you'll actually be doing. If you're worried about not being prepared for an unexpected activity or situation, I suggest the following...
Use Shoes, Accessories, and Completer Pieces to Change the Look of an Outfit
Shoes, accessories, and completer pieces, such as jackets, cardigans, and in this case, a cashmere wrap, can automatically change the look of an outfit to make it look more casual or dressy. In order to maximize the versatility of your wardrobe for a three day weekend or business trip, I suggest the following items if you're interested in following the nine item method that I used on my recent NYC trip:
- 2 pairs of shoes - One pair of sneakers and one pair of flats, wedges, or heels
- 2 completer pieces - One casual (ex. slouchy cardigan or denim jacket) and one dressy (ex. structured blazer or cashmere wrap)
- 3 tops - Should have a similar silhouette (ex. fitted, boxy, cropped)
- 2 pairs of pants - Should have a similar silhouette (ex. wide leg, bootcut, slim)
With respect to accessories, I would skip jewelry altogether if you are looking for a casual look. For a polished yet casual look, I suggest a delicate necklace or silk scarf around the neck or in the hair with stud or small hoop earrings. If you are looking for accessories to take your look to the next level, consider a statement necklace or bold earrings.
By keeping the silhouette of your tops the same and your bottoms the same, you won't have to worry about whether the proportions of your outfit are off, regardless of which tops and bottoms you mix and match together. One of my favorite pairings is a fitted top with a wide leg pant. On this trip to NYC, I chose the Sloane Tailored Pant from Abercrombie in White Stripe and the Ace pant (cropped) in black from Brass. To keep it simple, I wore the same ribbed boatneck top in three different colors from Ann Taylor. Yes, I am one of those people who buys multiples of the same item. If you love an item, and you look and feel great in it, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't buy it in more than color. The most important thing about any outfit you wear is that you feel confident in it.
What I Wore - Three Days in NYC
While I had 24 outfits to choose from based on the nine clothing items that I brought with me to NYC, these were the outfits that I ultimately chose to wear on my three day trip. I was primarily in the office while I was there so I wanted the base outfit (top and bottom) to lean a bit more on the business casual/professional side, but I used shoes and completer pieces (or lack thereof) to dress the base look up or down.
Day 1
On the flight to NYC, I chose to wear my comfy Vegas sneakers from Kizik, along with my denim jacket and cashmere wrap worn as a scarf. It can get chilly on those planes! Plus, the more items you can wear on the plane, the fewer you have to pack in your luggage!
I dropped off my luggage at the hotel before heading to work, but not before swapping out my sneakers for my black Demi Ballet Flats from Margaux. It turned out to be warmer at the office than I expected, so I didn't need the cashmere wrap to keep me warm.
Day 2
It was a cooler than expected morning walking from my hotel to grab breakfast and then head to work, so I popped on my trusty jean jacket before starting my day.
I chose to wear my leather sneakers all day instead of swapping them out for the black flats. The overall outfit is still professional but the leather sneakers add a modern edge and are common in NYC! Again, I didn't need the cashmere wrap at work but the removal of the denim jacket automatically makes the overall outfit look dressier.
Day 3
There's absolutely no reason why you can't wear the same pair of pants twice on a trip. Here I've paired the white wide leg pants with the navy ribbed top and leather sneakers.
After nearly a full day at the office, I popped on my denim jacket before heading back to the airport and home to Richmond.
I wore the same accessories for the entire three day trip, all of which were gold toned: thin belt, delicate necklace, hoop earrings, watch, and rings.
While it's more diffcult to mix and match all the pieces you bring if working out or outdoor activities are a part (but not all) of your trip, if I had planned to work out all three days while I was in NYC, in addition to the nine items noted above, I could have brought a pair of athletic sneakers and up to three pairs of yoga pants and three tanks or workout tees and still had plenty of space in my carry-on. When it comes to workout clothes, I would advocate for tops that are moisture wicking or odor resistant so that they can be worn more than once to help you minimize the amount of workout gear that you bring.
In conclusion, avoiding overpacking for a three-day weekend or business trip comes down to mindful planning and smart choices. By focusing on versatility, your actual itinerary, and resisting the urge to pack "just in case" items, you can streamline your packing process and travel with ease. Remember, the goal is to enjoy your trip without the burden of excess or heavy luggage. Pack only what you need, mix and match your outfits, and embrace the freedom of traveling light. With these tips in hand, you'll not only save space in your suitcase but also make your journey more enjoyable and stress-free. Happy travels!
Hi, I'm Roxanne!
Style Coach and Educator/ 12 Season Color Analyst
My goal with The Fashioneaseta is to help busy working women create a sense of ease in how they dress so that they look and feel their best while also saving time and money in the process. Let me help you create a wardrobe that you love of stylish, comfortable, multi-functional pieces that are a true reflection of you.
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