Yes, you can pack for two weeks in a carry-on bag. Here’s how I did it.

There has been much discussion in my class about my ability to pack for our international trip in just a carry-on bag. Three years ago, I traveled to China with my aunt, uncle, and cousin. A month before the trip Uncle Tom, softly encouraged (required) me to pack in just a carry-on.  I thought he was nuts and started packing immediately, wondering if it was even possible. After some research (there are tons of blogs out there discussing this very topic) I made it happen. It was fine. And now I won’t travel internationally any other way. The last thing I want to worry about while exploring a new place, new culture, and new cuisine is lugging around a gigantic suitcase or two. The minimalism requires you to pack strategically and use pieces of clothing in multiple outfits. Word to the wise though, do not pack too many dry-fit shirts. Uncle Tom learned the hard way that those are actually not very breathable and make you the stinky kid on the bus.

Here goes. I take one approved carry-on suitcase that is hard sided with four spinner wheels as well as one Vera Bradley backpack that slips over the handle of my rolling suitcase. I wear my bulkiest clothes on the plane which will include, jeans, long sleeved black shirt, black blazer, black rain coat, scarf/blanket, and tall black boots. All of which are comfortable and perfect for the 14 hour plane ride to Japan.

The following are inside my backpack that will serve as my personal item:

• Purse including: necessities, passport, mini iPad, & ear buds
•  Complete outfit: shirt, pants, socks, & underpants
•  Make up bag which includes: powder foundation,brushes, eye liner, mascara, eye shadow, contacts, and hair comb
• Quart bag of liquids – shampoo, conditioner,tooth paste, hair product, sun screen, liquid foundation, body wash, hairspray, & Downy Wrinkle Release
•  Empty Trevis water bottle
• Baseball hat for bad hair days
• Neck pillow
• Fuzzy socks
• Snacks including: protein bar, trail mix, fruit snacks, lifesavers, starburst, chocolate
• First aid kit including: Band-Aids and variety of medication for cold & flu & allergies
• Sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer
•  Prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses

My goal with my personal item is that if need be, I could survive out of it for a few days. Often, once you get to the gate the airline will ask you to check your carry-on bag. If it’s out of my sight, it may never come back! I’m prepared for that possibility.

Next is my actual suitcase. I will preface with the fact that we will be gone for a full 14 days. Three of which are travel days. Additionally we have a specific dress code. A few days we have to dress in full suits, other days we can pair a suit jacket with other colored pants or dresses, and the remaining of the days are some combination of dark pants and khakis. Jeans are only to be worn on travel days. Also, our trip will include a few farm visits so we have to pack our own Tyvek suits. I have packed and repacked my suitcase at least FOUR TIMES. We leave in T-3 Days and it’s likely I will repack at least once more.

Inside my roller suitcase I have the following:

• 16 pairs of my least favorite underpants – ready to be trashed (or sold, I hear there is a market for them in Japan) after use
• Black tank top
•  Two white tank tops
• Two T-Shirts
• Sleep shorts
• Sports Bra
• Three Bras – one of which is my least favorite to be trashed after use
•  Bathing suit
• Cover Up
• Tyvek Suit
• One bag of odds and ends including phone charges, power adapter, more drugs/prescriptions, deodorant, etc…
• Two dresses
• One black and white sweater – to be trashed/donated after use
•  Six sleeveless shirts – some polo style some not
• One short sleeved top
•  One button up top (one more in my personal bag)
• One Polo
• One black belt (one more being worn)
• Two pairs of black pants (one more in my personal bag)
• One pair of khaki pants
•  One pair of black leggings
• One dress jackets (one more being worn)
• Two pairs of black flats – one will be trashed after use
• Black sandals – these sandals have been on every international adventure thus far!
• Seven pairs of black socks – some of which I will trash after use
• Three pairs of no-show socks
• Pantyhose – to be trashed after use
• Black tights – to be trashed after use
• Packable duffle bag, in case I come home with more than I leave with
• Three bags of sweet corn seed for farmer gifts

A few more notes… we are not traveling to any desolate places that I won’t be able to do a little bit of shopping if necessary. All of my clothing pieces are mix and match-able with black as the base color. I would bet I could make up at least 20 outfits from the items I’ve packed, so technically I could purge a few things. I’ve made great use of packing cubs and zip lock bags to keep things organized and flat.

This seems like a momentous task but think about it. Lots of these items I’ve packed you have to have if you go for just one night or fourteen nights so pairing down a few clothing items is all that’s necessary to fit into this tiny bag. I challenge all of you to at least give it a try. I promise you won’t be mad you did it.