How to Pack a Carry-On for a Week-Long Trip
The greatest myth in travel is that a week demands a large suitcase. Seasoned travelers from Anthony Bourdain to frequent business fliers know that a well-organized carry-on, roughly 22 by 14 by 9 inches, can hold seven days of sharp dressing without breaking a sweat or your back.
Begin with a neutral color palette. Five items in navy, grey, white, and khaki will generate far more outfit combinations than fifteen pieces in competing colors. A pair of dark chinos, lightweight wool trousers, two collared shirts, a merino crew-neck, a linen tee, and a versatile jacket form a reliable core.
Rolling garments tightly, rather than folding them, reduces wrinkles and compresses volume. Place heavier items like shoes and toiletry kits at the bottom, nearest the wheels. Stuff socks inside shoes to save space. Use packing cubes to compartmentalize and compress; Eagle Creek and Peak Design make excellent options.
Footwear is the biggest space challenge. Limit yourself to two pairs: one versatile leather shoe that works for dinners and meetings, and one clean sneaker for daytime walking. A shoe like the Common Projects Achilles Low bridges casual and semi-formal settings remarkably well.
Toiletries deserve strategic thinking. Transfer products into TSA-compliant containers and ditch anything the hotel will provide. Solid cologne, a multi-use balm, and a quality travel-size sunscreen replace a half-dozen bottles. Aesop and Malin+Goetz both sell curated travel kits worth considering.
Layering is the secret weapon for unpredictable weather. A packable rain shell from Arc'teryx or Patagonia weighs almost nothing and compresses into its own pocket. A lightweight cashmere scarf doubles as a blanket on the plane and an evening accessory at dinner. For more packing strategies, https://www.outsideonline.com publishes excellent travel gear guides.
Before zipping up, lay everything on the bed and remove one item. You will not miss it. The discipline of subtraction is what separates an elegant traveler from someone wrestling an overstuffed bag through a narrow aisle at thirty thousand feet.
