Carry-On Only? Here’s How I Packed for 10 Days (and Still Looked Cute)
Spoiler: I wore the same dress twice. No one noticed.
I used to be a chronic over-packer. We’re talking “sit-on-the-suitcase-and-pray-the-zipper-holds” level. The kind of traveler who brings five pairs of shoes for a long weekend — just in case.
But something changed after I booked a whirlwind 10-day trip across France and Italy with carry-on only. Yes, just one little roller and a personal item.Why?
Because I didn’t want to drag a 50lb suitcase up six flights of cobblestone stairs in Florence. And because I didn’t want to be that person holding up the train because her bag wouldn’t fit in the luggage rack.
(Also: budget airline baggage fees. Oof.)So I set a challenge: pack smart, look good, and still feel like me.
How I Did It — Without Sacrificing Style
1. Pack 1 "Hero" Outfit
You know the one. That dress that works with sneakers by day and a jacket at night.
Mine was a red floral number I wore to a winery in Tuscany, a market in Nice, and to dinner under fairy lights in Rome.
Same dress. Three vibes. Zero regrets.
T.R. Tip: Style it differently with a scarf, belt, or jacket — people won’t even notice it’s a repeat.
2. Pick a Color Palette
I chose white, navy and red (because Paris)! Every top matched every bottom. My scarf matched my dress. My swimsuit even matched sandals. The result? Outfit combinations that looked intentional, not accidental.
T.R. Tip: Pick 3 colors max. Bonus points if one is neutral.
3. Roll, Don’t Fold
Rolling my clothes not only saved space — it saved wrinkles too. I packed:
2 dresses
2 tank tops
1 long sleeve
2 bottoms
1 blazer
1 light jacket
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of sandals
1 sleep set
and a scarf that doubled as a blanket, pillow, and seat cover (yep).
4. Minis + Musts
Travel-size everything. I decanted my skincare into tiny jars and packed solid shampoo.
I brought 1 lipstick that worked as cheek tint, and a tiny perfume roller that made me feel human after long train rides.
T.R. Tip: Hotels often have shampoo. But your favorite moisturizer? Bring it.
5. The Personal Item is Prime Real Estate
My crossbody bag had:
passport
charger
AirPods
travel journal
snacks (always snacks)
and one emergency espresso chocolate for travel meltdowns
BONUS TIP: Packing Cubes Are a Lifestyle
I don’t just use packing cubes — I religiously use them.
They don’t just save space — they save sanity.
If I’m staying in a hotel for more than a couple of nights, I never let my clothes touch the drawers.
I simply pop the cube into the drawer and unzip. Done. Clean. Organized. No sketchy drawer bottoms or forgotten socks.
T.R. Tip: Assign each cube a category (tops, bottoms, intimates, etc.) and thank me later.
But Did I Feel Cute?
Absolutely. I didn’t just feel stylish — I felt free.
I wasn’t dragging a heavy suitcase. I wasn’t stressing about lost luggage. I had everything I needed — and nothing I didn’t.
By day 7, I realized: no one cares what you’re wearing — they care that you showed up. That you’re present. That you’re in it.
Moral of the story?
Pack lighter. Smile more. And rock the same dress twice. No one’s keeping score.
