These tips are mostly for women, but I know a few men who could stand to pack a lot lighter. The trick is prior planning. Usually it helps if you lay everything out on the floor so you can see every item and then ask yourself, "If I have this item, do I really need this one?"
1. DO pack hotel shampoos, conditioners, soap, etc. DON'T pack store-bought travel size amenities.
The reason: Hotel amenities are generally smaller and you easily can throw them away if you need to. This may sound cheap, but if you spend a night in a hotel, ask the front desk for any of those extra things they have on hand. Usually, you can stock up on travel toothbrushes, toothpaste, shaving cream, etc. (Fun Fact: Hotel shampoo is mild enough to double as facewash and laundry soap for your undies.)
2. DO wear only one basic color. DON'T mix black and brown or gold and silver.
The reason: If you stick to one color scheme, you will cut down on the amount of shoes you have to bring to match. Shoes take up way too much room in a carry on. I even limit myself to one or two basic colors for all my clothes so I can mix and match with fewer pieces.
3. DO wear your heaviest stuff on the plane. DON'T even wear/pack jeans.
The reason: Roll up a pair of jeans and put it inside your carry on. See how much room they take up? Even if you wear your jeans on the plane (which is super uncomfortable), you are going to have to put them somewhere during the trip eventually. You could pack two pairs of Capri tights and three short jersey dresses in the same space as a pair of jeans. You can get away with skinny jeans if they are very thin, but regular jeans are a dead give away that you don't travel very often.
Wearing your heaviest stuff on the plane means wearing your bulkiest shoes and a light cardigan or jacket tied around your waist. Planes get cold and wearing your jacket means less in your carry on.
4. DO pack simple hiking pants with zipper pockets. DON'T pack hiking pants with those cargo pockets on them, elastic pulls, or too many embellishments.
The reason: If a pair of pants has cargo pockets on them, you automatically limit what you can wear on top to simply hiking/casual. If you wear a basic pair of micro fiber hiking pants with zipper pockets at the hip and no other embellishments, you can wear not only a T-shirt for a day hike, but also a dressier top for a night out. I say "hiking pants" because they are generally lightweight, have zipper hip pockets, and are very durable for years to come. A good investment. Check Goodwill and ebay before you go to REI.
5. DO pack flip flops (black or brown to your color scheme). DON'T pack funky colored flip-flops.
The reason: Flip flops are one of the best things to pack because they come in handy every day. They protect your feet from gross hotel floors as well as being alternative (and highly packable) outdoor foot wear that you can wear not only with a casual pair of pants and shirt, but also with a cute dress. Don't pack funky colored or patterned flip flops because you won't be able to use them as much.
6. DO pack "broken in" shoes. DON'T EVER pack new shoes.
The reason: Even if you hate your "old stand-bys," the difference between a good trip and a bad trip is a blister away. When most people travel, they do more walking than usual. If you wear new shoes, you WILL get a blister, and this makes the trip not only bad for you, but also for all your travel companions.
7. DO pack mini electric hair tools or none at all. DON'T pack regular sized hair tools.
The reason: Put your full-size hair dryer and styling iron in your carry on. Look how big they are. Either bring little ones or don't bring them at all. An even better idea is to experiment with "travel hair" a few days/weeks in advance. I normally have bangs that I have to straighten, but when I travel, I just pin them back with bobby pins. Guess the difference in size of a bobby pin compared to a hair dryer!
If you do pack travel styling tools, makes sure they can convert 110-240 volts. A super great item that I found recently is a travel-sized wet/dry flat iron that converts 110-240 volts by ConAir. I don't even need a hair dryer with this little gem!
8. DO pack an international plug adapter kit. DON'T pack a voltage converter.
The reason: A crappy voltage converter doesn't take up much room, but a decent one is pretty big. Every small converter I've ever bought has gotten blown the first time I plugged it in, so I stopped buying them. Instead, just check the plugs on your electrical appliances and see if they read "110-240 volts." If they do, then your voltage will automatically convert anywhere in the world, and all you really need is the correct plug for whatever country you are visiting. Look up the plug before you get there and bring only that plug--not the whole kit. That way, you won't risk losing your whole kit and you can save a little more room.
9. DO bring a wi-fi smart phone or small tablet. DON'T bring a regular cell phone, laptop, book, or external speaker.
The reason: Leave your cell phone in your car at the airport, because you won't get reception out of the country. (Even third-world countries have wi-fi hotspots, so why not Skype on your Nook or Kindle if you absolutely have to talk to someone?) A laptop takes up way too much room and you have to fumble with it to get through security. Instead of bringing paper books, you can download ebooks onto your tablet or smart phone. (If you don't want to pay for books, find a library app and borrow the books for free.) Extra speakers are just another thing to worry about and most tablets and smart phones have external speakers now. Remember to pack your USB charging cord and a USB/wall plug (110-240v) to charge your tablet or smartphone.
10. DO wear layers if you are traveling from a hot place to a cold place or vice versa. DON'T bring a winter coat or long sleeved shirts.
The reason: What are you going to do with your coat when you don't need it? You will have to lug it to the airport or else you will have to lug it on your trip. Neither of those is fun. Instead of a coat, layer a nice wool cardigan (you never know if you will eat a nice dinner in a place where they crank the a.c.), one or two fleece hoodies (Fleece is lightweight and warm. The hood will cover your head in lieu of a hat.), a rain/windbreaker jacket on the outside (offers snow and rain protection), and a sarong as a scarf (can also be a swim suit cover up, a clean sheet/pillow case in a scary hotel situation, a laundry bag, etc!). Make sure all these layers are in colors that go with the rest of your clothes. Make sure every layer is something you could wear by itself in a given situation. Also, make sure every layer is relatively thin and pack-able Also, pack the thinnest, warmest gloves you can find. Only pack a fold-able, warm hat if the hoods of your hoodies are insufficient.
**If you are traveling to a cold place to a cold place, a winter coat makes sense. However, even if you are traveling from hot to hot, you should still bring lightweight layers because. . .you never know. For instance, even though most deserts are quite hot during the day, the nights are quite chilly. Seriously, leave long-sleeved shirts at home unless you are in a cold place the entire time. Nothing is more uncomfortable than having a layer you can't remove during a sudden heatwave--long-sleeved shirts put you in this position.
11. If you travel to a cold place: DO pack a rain jacket. DON'T pack an umbrella.
If you travel to a hot place: DO pack an umbrella. DON'T pack a raincoat.
The cold reason: The jacket will keep you warmer and you will have your hands free. When I say "rain jacket," I'm talking about one of those really thin outer shells. Don't bring anything lined, because it takes up too much room in your luggage. If you are really cold, wear another layer underneath.
The hot reason: Bring an umbrella with SPF in it and it will double as a sun guard as well as a rain guard. Get as small a one as you can find that will fit into a purse or daypack.
12. DO pack a few pairs of underwear. DON'T pack too many.
The reason: Pack two clean pairs in addition to the ones you are wearing. When you are done with your current pair, you can wash them in a sink (with a bit of shampoo) and hang them to dry while you wear the second pair, and the third one can be ready for the next day (and in case you have a day when you can't wash one). Don't pack cotton underwear because they take forever to dry. Companies make travel underwear, but they are usually really expensive. Simple polyester or mesh ones dry super fast. It may sound gross to wash them out in the sink, but I think it's super gross to have 20 pairs of dirty underwear in your luggage to take home, so there! Plus, I know underwear is small, but stack 20 next to 3 and you will see the difference. Do the same with socks--polyester ankle socks work best.
13. DO pack a microfiber bra. DON'T pack underwire.
The reason: Underwire bras are super uncomfortable when you are traveling. Also, they get smashed and bent out of shape in tightly packed luggage. Furthermore, they take up tons of room. Fortunately, there is a great solution: microfiber bras.
If you are larger, go to www.ahhbra.com to see what I'm talking about. If you are smaller, go to www.shopcoobie.com. (Money Saver: They sell knock offs of both kinds on ebay, at Dollar General, and at Walmart.) Both versions kinda resemble sports bras only are far more comfortable. Some of them have removable straps and padding to go with a range of outfits. They also wash out in a sink quite easily and dry within a day. You could pack three of them in the same amount of space as one underwire, and they will never get smooshed out of shape!
14. DO pack your toiletries in one clear plastic baggie in your purse. DON'T stuff it way down in your carry on.
The reason: Your purse is easier to open than your carry on. Ostensibly this baggie should be the only thing you have to put in the plastic bin except your shoes and jacket, because remember how you aren't packing your laptop? People hate getting behind other people who aren't prepared to go through security. Why make enemies if you don't have to?
Another useful tip: I find that a plastic baggie isn't the best shape or size when I'm on a trip over a week long. Listen, I can pack light, but I'm still a girl, and girls require a lot of liquids and gels to stay looking nice. If you go to the makeup section of Big Lots or Walmart, you should be able to find a reusable, clear zipper cosmetic travel bag with a sticker that says, "Airline Approved" on it. I've had the same one for years.
15. DO pack your clothes by rolling them. DON'T fold them.
The reason: For some reason, rolling your clothes takes up less room than folding. I usually line the bottom of my carry on with all my clothes (thin jersey dresses/big T-shirts and thin pants/capri tights) and then pack the other stuff on top. I can pack up to 20 outfits with three layers and still have room for the rest of my stuff and any souvenirs I might buy. You HAVE to think "thin," to do this. Don't pack anything bulky.
16. DO pack an eye mask and ear plugs and keep them in your purse. DON'T pack them in your luggage.
The reason: Even if you are a heavy sleeper, slumber on a plane is a whole different ball game from your bed at home. Especially on a long flight, you never know if a random baby is going to start screaming or if a random adult won't know how to control the volume of his/her voice. Keeping these in your purse gives you quick and easy access to a restful flight.
17. DO pack a backpack style purse. DON'T pack a super expensive shoulder bag.
The reason: Shoulder bags are really easy to steal. Expensive ones are major targets. Also, backpack bags distribute weight better for a longer period of time and keep your back from hurting. (Longchamp makes some really cute, fashionable ones). In a sketchy situation, you can wear the backpack on your front and still distribute the weight evenly on your shoulders.
**If you are traveling anywhere third-worldish, do NOT use fashionable luggage/purses! Duck tape only helps in this type of situation.
18. DO pack vitamins and drugs. DON'T pack your whole medicine cabinet.
The reason: Too many pills taken on a plane makes you a target for inspection. My travel first-aid arsenal includes: ibuprofen (doesn't have caffeine, so you can take it at any time of day), melatonin (a regulator of jet-lag without being habit-forming), a multi-vitamin (your immune system hates travel), and anti-bacterial fabric bandaids (fabric ones last longer than plastic). Only pack a few of these in either a travel pill pack or clear plastic baggy. Don't pack all of them in one actual pill bottle. If you are on other pills, talk to your doctor about how to transport them.
19. DO use a travel wallet. DON'T use your regular wallet.
The reason: Only bring one credit card and one debit/ATM card (call the numbers on the backs and explain when and where you will be traveling before you leave). I used to get out cash and change it in the airport, but nowadays ATMs are everywhere--even in developing countries--so don't bring any cash unless you have to. (You actually get a better transfer rate from an ATM as opposed to in the airport, anyway.) Only bring your drivers' license if you will be driving. Keep a copy of all these documents (front and back) and your passport (picture page) in your luggage. I actually keep copy inside the zipper lining of my carry on. The less you have for others to steal, the less you have to worry about.
20. DO use the smallest rolling, expandable carry-on size case you can possibly stand. DON'T use a huge backpack or duffle that you have to carry, and DON'T check any luggage unless you absolutely have to.
The reason: First of all, using the smallest size means you are always going to be compliant with airline luggage standards that are continually diminishing in size. Second, luggage on wheels is always easier to deal with than something you have to lug. Third, an expandable case will allow you some room for souvenirs on the way back. Fourth, most of these cases have a hard shell which helps protect your belongings, whereas a duffle is soft and smashy. Fifth, a rolling case doubles as a foot rest during a long layover! Sixth, anytime you check a bag you are eating into your vacation time with customs, baggage claim, and the awkward maneuvering till you get to your destination. Being jet-set is a liberating feeling!
**Another tip for maximizing small luggage: Bring a large, foldable bag/purse in your carry on. Airlines allow you to have one carry on and one personal item. If you have a large purse stowed in your carry on on the way to your destination, you can always pull it out and put your regular purse, souvenirs, and purchases in it on the way back. This is an especially good idea if your carry on doesn't expand.
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