Light Packing: One Bag for Four Days

I just got back from three days and three nights in Connecticut for a family wedding. Since getting to where my family lives took a plane to a train to an Uber, I wanted to pack as light as possible. We flew from San Francisco to Boston. Then an Amtrak train to New London. And finally an Uber to the hotel. I wanted to bring one carry-on as my solo luggage so I didn’t need to worry about dragging multiple bags around.

I’m not usually an over-packer but I do like to pack a few extra outfits for my trips. Options to compliment unplanned style moods or activities. Which is kind of the nice thing about an extra short trip. Less options for variance so easier to pack just what you need. Even more so when one of the days is a wedding and two days include long flights.

So, I decided then for this trip I’m going to pack exactly four outfits for four days but two of those outfits I’ll wear the same pants to cut down even more. Here’s the formula that worked really well:

One pair of jeans
One pair of shorts
One tee shirt
Two long sleeve blouses
Dress for the wedding
A pair of loafers as my default shoe
A pair of dressier flats for the wedding or any fancy dinners

In total: two pants, two shoes, three tops, one dress.

I managed to fit my clothes plus other travel necessities including my laptop in my Tumi duffel bag. This is a very similar one as mine was an outlet purchase from earlier this year and seems to be sold out. It’s nice for longer trips and more packing as it attaches to a roller bag.

The bag in question above! Of course in my favorite color 🙂

One of my favorite hacks for packing light for short trips is to only bring two pairs of shoes. One you wear on the plane and one you pack. That usually ends up as one simple causal option (which a loafer is perfect for this) and one ballet flat or more fun shoe. I also like to stick to one travel outfit I’ll wear there and back.

Here are the four outfits I wore! Which I took when getting home and unpacking. I like to be retrospective when unpacking so I can optimize for future trips (I’m an analyst and developer full time so I can’t resist!).

Anthropologie jeans, J.Crew t-shirt (similar), Everlane trench coat (mine is old but this is the newer version), Gucci loafers (similar pair under $150 that are super comfortable)

This was my travel look for the plane ride there. These jeans are so stretchy and comfortable they were perfect to travel in. Black loafers were also the perfect shoes to wear the whole trip.

Everlane silk top, Favorite Daughter shorts, Anthropologie purse

The weather ended up being perfect and warm enough for shorts. Paired with a simple silk button up and trench just in case it got cold.

Cinq a Sept dress, Prada flats, Louis Vuitton clutch

This dress was comfortable and nice to wear to a country wedding. I’m glad I opted for flats instead of heels. Just so much easier for a mostly grass venue outdoors.

Alex Mill linen top, Le Specs sunglasses

Finally, my outfit home! Just switched to a linen button up for a bit more warmth. I honestly wouldn’t change or add anything that I packed. Everything worked out really well and it was a beautiful weekend worry free with family!

What are some of your light packing tips and tricks?

Thanks for reading!

Mary