You’d think after a couple decades of travel, I’d finally learn how to pack like a minimalist queen. You’d be wrong.
Last year’s cruise to the Bahamas — combined with a New York stopover — ended with me at the airline counter, sheepishly pulling items out of my checked bag and trying to wedge them into my already-full carry-on. Why? My suitcase was over the weight limit. Again. Because apparently, I think I’m starring in a week-long fashion show instead of just going on vacation.
But this summer? It’s different. This is the girls’ trip I’ve been looking forward to forever: six of us, all long-time friends, escaping our real lives for 10 fun-filled, drama-free (fingers crossed) days. Our kids are grown, some of us have grandkids, and all of us are leaving our husbands at home. The only goals? Laugh, relax, eat too much, and make memories.
And this time… I’m not overpacking.
(Okay. I’m trying not to overpack. Let’s not get carried away.)
Why Do We Overpack, Anyway?
Let’s be real: every single time I plan a trip, I swear I’ll pack light. And every single time, I pack like I’m preparing for an international fashion emergency.
It starts innocently: one pair of jeans, a couple tops, a dress. Then the “just in case” items sneak in — like a backup linen romper (what if one gets wrinkled?), a pair of heels I never wear at home, and three black tops that are technically different. Suddenly, my suitcase is bursting at the seams, and I’ve got outfit anxiety before I’ve even left the house.
That said, I still go online before every trip to look up “how to pack light for summer travel.” It’s a sickness.
But this time, I’m treating it like a personal challenge. A test of willpower. A spiritual journey, if you will. Because if I don’t get it together, I’ll be paying the airline and my chiropractor.
My Girls’ Trip Packing Challenge
Let’s break it down:
One suitcase. No overweight fees. No panic at check-in.
To hold myself accountable, I’m putting it in writing — right here.
Also, if I fail, I may have to promise my friends I’ll buy their coffee every morning on the trip. (Let’s hope they don’t read this and start ordering cappuccinos in bulk.)
This is a 10-day adventure — sightseeing, beach time, dinners out, and plenty of spontaneous fun — so packing smart matters. I’m aiming for effortless, not overkill. And I want you to come along for the ride (or the struggle, depending how it goes).
Check out these luggage pieces here:
Packing Smart (Without Losing Your Style)
Choose a Color Palette
Start simple: pick 2–3 base colors and 1–2 accent shades. I’m doing:
- Neutrals: white, tan, black
- Accent: olive green + denim blue
This way, almost everything can be mixed and matched — without looking like I packed only gym clothes.
Build Around Versatile Hero Pieces:
- Linen set (top + shorts — wear together or apart)
- Dresses that can be dressed up or down
- Flowy pants with 2 tanks and one cropped cardigan
- Romper or one-piece outfit you actually feel good in
- Swimsuit coverup that doubles as a dress
- One “statement” piece for a nice dinner (hello, bold earrings)
On top of that, I’m planning my outfits based on activities — which helps eliminate the “maybe I’ll wear this if we go to a random rooftop party” items.
Shoe Math (Resist the Urge!)
- 1 pair comfy sandals (walkable but cute)
- 1 pair neutral flip-flops
- 1 pair dressy flat sandals or slides
- Optional: slip-on sneakers if we’re doing a lot of city walking
Best of all? These choices cover every situation without adding bulk.
Do not bring wedges, stilettos, or “cute but painful” shoes unless you plan to wear them in your hotel room for exactly 12 minutes.
Toiletries & Beauty
This is where it adds up fast — and where I usually blow it.
Here’s my edited plan:
- Travel-size SPF + moisturizer combo
- Tinted sunscreen or BB cream
- Cream blush that works on lips too
- Mini mascara and brow pencil
- Makeup remover wipes
- Dry shampoo
- Mini deodorant (a must for humid spots!)
- Compact travel mirror
- Toothbrush & razor
To sum up: less is more. Multipurpose is magical.
Bonus points for solid shampoo/conditioner bars to skip the liquid drama.
Click here for some of my travel finds: https://kit.co/SharmedLife/travel-essentials
Tools That Might Actually Save Me from Myself
While packing, I’m relying on a few MVPs:
- Packing cubes (because apparently, if my chaos is contained, it feels like control)
- Compression bags for swimsuits or dirty clothes
- Digital luggage scale so I don’t have to do the “leg lift and pray” method at the airport
- Foldable travel bag for souvenirs — but not to sneak extra shoes in. (At least that’s the plan.)
After all, every little bit of space counts.
The List: What I’m Actually Bringing
Here’s my (edited!) list. Let’s see if I stick to it:
🧵 Clothes (for 10 days):
- 3 tanks
- 4 shorts
- 2 casual dresses
- 1 maxi
- 1 romper
- 1 cardigan/light sweater
- 2 swimsuits
- 1 coverup
- PJs/loungewear
- 1 “cute but comfy” outfit for travel days
- Undergarments
👠 Shoes
- Flip-flops
- Dressy sandals
- Comfy sandals
🎒 Accessories
- Foldable sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Jewelry (minimal!)
- Belt bag or crossbody
🧼 Toiletries + Beauty
- See above
💻 Extras
- Phone charger
- Travel fan (trust me)
- Book/Kindle
- Earplugs & eye mask
- Meds, bandaids, Dramamine
- Snacks (always)
Click here to see some of my travel outfit essentials here
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About the Luggage, It’s About the Laughs
In the end, will I succeed in packing smart this time? Honestly? I don’t know. History isn’t exactly on my side. But I am going to try. Because more than anything, I want to spend this girls’ trip fully present — not worrying about my fourth pair of shoes or whether my bag will split open on the sidewalk.
These women? They’ve known me for years. We’ve raised babies, shared recipes, cried over wine, laughed at life, and once again… we’re hopping on a plane without kids, husbands, or a care in the world. (Well… maybe a few cares. Like whether the hotel blow dryer is strong enough.)
But that’s the joy of it. The hiccups, the unexpected moments, the endless inside jokes — that’s what makes these trips unforgettable.
So if you see me at the airport with a suspiciously full suitcase, just give me a knowing nod. And maybe hand me a coffee. I probably owe someone one.
Check out favorite summer outfits I’m packing here.
💬 Tell Me:
Are you an overpacker too? What’s the one thing you always bring but never actually use? Drop it in the comments — let’s start a support group.
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