How to pack like a professional jetsetter
My tips to pack better and get where you're going faster
Once when I was traveling in London, a gentleman outside The Connaught Hotel saw me waiting for a taxi.
He looked me up and down and asked, “Is that all of your luggage?”
I smiled and nodded at my two pieces of luggage.
He then exclaimed in astonishment, “I wish my wife packed like you!”
I smiled and thought, if only he knew how long it took me to get here.
I remember a particular trip to Brazil, when my checked bag arrived only after a fretful hour and a half of anticipation. And like most people, I ended up not wearing most of what I packed on that trip.
Aside from circumstances when I must check baggage, which usually involves large sports equipment (more on that later), I stick to a carry-ons only policy.
Years later, after jetsetting solo, private and commercially, with a partner, and with family members, I’ve finally discovered my travel style – one that’s as lean and minimal as possible.
Now, I’m sharing my tips to help you pack efficiently and stay organized.
One caveat: I realize traveling as a family may require a bit more luggage or planning, but I still believe most of these tips can help you pack better and get to your destination a bit faster.
How to pack like a professional jetsetter
Lean packing starts with the right luggage.
My travel luggage go-tos are my Away Bigger Carry-on suitcase, and my Louis Vuitton Keepall duffle bag.
These are my tried and true, ride or die travel companions and have joined me on most trips around the globe.
I’ve tried other higher priced luggage options, but the Bigger Carry-on is simply lighter (by +3 lbs. and roomier by +1 gallon).
And, the Keepall is the perfect under-seat or compartment bag size:
For even lighter loads, I’ll take my Away bag and a Balenciaga black leather tote bag, in lieu of my LV bag.
The tote is wonderfully roomy and carries all my digital devices including a laptop, tablet, and charging cables, and other essentials, like chargers, small toiletries, a Kindle or book, and even a light jacket.
After you settle on your luggage, get packing.
Just throw it in the bag
The term bag lady (or man) is about to take on an entirely new meaning.
My packing system includes organizing things in bags: plastic Ziploc bags, shoebags, zip bags, and zipped pouches that contain your essentials and toiletries.
Pack your clothes in plastic Ziploc or vacuum bags
Within my Away bag, I usually throw all my clothes into Hefty or Ziploc 8- to 10-gallon clear jumbo bags, or larger vacuum sealed bags.
I learned this packing tip years ago from a jetsetting global executive with almost a million flying miles, and have stuck to it ever since.
Some of today’s fancy suitcases offer zipped compartments, but I feel these are quite restrictive on a suitcase’s full packing capacity. You can fit way more in compressed, vacuum sealed bags.
You can also better organize your clothes by using a bag just for workout gear and undergarments, another for daily clothes, and so on. The organization possibilities are endless.
Prepare multiple “go bags” for electronics, toiletries, and essentials
To alleviate the stress of starting from scratch every time you travel, create multiple “go bags” for different purposes.
Refill or manage them occasionally but never fully unpack them.
Then, the next time you’re ready to go somewhere, you’ll your travel foundations ready.
This way, regardless of whether you’re packing for a weekend, road trip, or weeklong travel, you won’t have to reinvent the wheel.
My list of travel bags
I travel with many smaller bags, too. That way, I’ll know exactly which bag to grab, for example, when I’m looking for a specific charging cable.
Here’s the list of all of my travel bags:
A makeup bag of cosmetics
A gallon-ish Ziploc bag for toiletries. This bag includes travel-sized makeup or skincare bottles and containers. I put this bag in the larger Ziploc bag. In the larger bag, I throw in a travel brush, cotton buds and pads, and feminine products, and other essentials
A makeup brush bag
A bag of wires and cables. You know those colorful shoe dustbags you get when you buy a fancy pair of shoes? Use them for all of your charging plugs and cables
An essentials bag: This is a zip bag of my inhaler, passport, cash, cards, and prescriptions
If you’re a content creator, then find the most aerodynamic, best quality mic you can find, along with small lighting devices. So many tools exist now from mics to lights that are intended for light and easy travel.
Create a packing checklist
On more than one occasion, a packing checklist has saved me from forgetting crucial items, like my jewelry or certain chargers, or supplements or prescriptions.
By creating a single checklist and updating it often, you’ll never forget what you need during your travels, nor will you forget to adjust the thermostat.
Do laundry often
I’m too old for hostels and I’m not interested in backpacking.
By now, I’ve definitely come to require a few creature comforts that AirBnbs and hotels can provide, like washers and dryers and laundry service, respectively.
The biggest secret of packing lightly? Doing laundry during your travels.
I always do laundry at AirBnbs, friend’s houses, and hotels. It is my key to packing lightly.
If you’re not lucky enough to find a hotel that offers complimentary laundry service 😏 then I recommend just paying for it.
I know some people may balk at paying for hotel laundry services, but if the cost is not outrageous, then this is a service (luxury?) that I believe is totally worth the cost.
How to pack lightly and still be stylish
I travel light to save myself the hassle and aggravation that comes with having too many options when getting dressed. But I don’t compromise on style.
A simple tip here is to streamline and pack coordinating outfits and shoes as best as you can.
Mix and match clothes that complement each other; for women, pack tops that go with multiple slacks or jeans or skirts. Pack dresses you can wear on different occasions.
Today, athleisure serves multiple purposes, from working out to getting breakfast to shopping, so a simple set can stretch for days.
For men, one button down shirt and a few t-shirts with multipurpose jeans or trousers can satisfy most dress codes and environments.
As for shoes? Here’s what I recommend, and I don’t always take one of each:
A pair of smart or trendy flats/slides and/or walking shoes (or flip flops for the beach)
A pair of running or workout shoes
For women, a pair of kitten or tall heels, or heeled boots
When to ship your luggage
What about sports gear and equipment?
I use services like ShipSticks or ShipSkis for golf clubs and snowboard gear shipments, respectively.
This offers the benefit of having your items waiting for you at your destination, and eliminates the hassle of hauling everything yourself around busy airports, checking luggage, and waiting on luggage. International shipping can get pricey, but they work out all the customs details so you don’t have to.
The good news is that you may also be able to pack most of your gear and clothes inside your gear bags.
If you must check luggage … then do this
Today, if you must check your luggage, then try to keep tabs on it by inserting AirTags in your bag. In any case, AirTags have multiple purposes; I’ve used them to track boxes during interstate moves as well, but in the end, the peace of mind that your luggage is has arrived with you is priceless.
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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