How to Pack for 7-10 Days in a Carry-On for Any Season With Just 14 Items

luggage with clothes, camera, hat, and other items

October 3, 2022 | Lylis Global Travel | General Travel Tips & Information

There are a million lists of how to pack in a carry-on. Many require you to purchase new pieces to create the perfect travel wardrobe. I’ll show you how to choose just 14 items from your existing wardrobe and pack for any type of trip in any type of weather. There are no specific pieces such as jeans or button-down shirts. Some people prefer to travel in leggings and sweatshirts. Others prefer dresses and suits. Whatever your preference and whatever the season, you should be able to choose 14 items and have enough outfits to make you feel comfortable and put together for whatever occasions arise on your trip.

This list of 14 items includes the items you will be wearing on the airplane. Once again, there are so many opinions on what to wear on the plane. I say wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and polished. Depending on the season, I typically either wear jeans and a white or striped button-down shirt or black leggings and a tunic or sweater on top. However, what you wear on the plane should be part of the 14 items on your packing list and should coordinate with the rest of what is in your suitcase. If that is leggings and your favorite sweatshirt or a comfy dress, so be it. If the season requires it, you should also wear your jacket or coat on the plane. Otherwise, let’s put together your 14 items to pack.

Begin with a color scheme

Begin by choosing a color scheme by limiting yourself to two or three base colors.

Start with your favorite color or the color you know you look your best in. Choose one dominant color and use the other colors as accents. For example, say your favorite color is navy blue you can add a lighter shade of blue to your palette. Within your color scheme be sure to include solids and patterns or stripes for interest. In addition, also include one or two items that will add an exciting pop of color. You will get the most pop of color from choosing a color that is complementary to your main color scheme. Complementary colors are any two colors that are on opposite sides of the color wheel. For example, blue and orange. This combination provides a high-contrast and high-impact color combination. When worn together, these colors will appear brighter and more prominent.

Colors that form a triad on the color wheel provide a high-contrast color scheme that is very versatile and easy to mix and match. However, if you aren’t strong on mixing and matching colors, choose a monochromatic color scheme and add white and black items for contrast and balance. A bright white or dark black will almost always make a strong and striking statement when matched with most other colors.

Once you have decided on your color scheme, it’s time to start selecting items of clothing to pack.

Choose Bottoms First

Start with the bottoms and then choose tops to coordinate with the bottoms. Choose six (6) bottoms – jeans, pants, skirts, or shorts. Any combination of bottom types will work. However, if you are planning some dress-up activities, at least three of the six bottoms should be able to be dressed up for the evening or a special daytime event. Think silk or linen pants or skirts. Below is what I packed for a recent week-long trip to Las Vegas.

In my example, I have chosen black, white, and denim as my color scheme. My six (6) bottoms are:

1 pair of blue jeans to be worn on the plane – both ways
1 pair of black linen pants – for day and evening
1 pair of black leggings
1 pair of denim shorts
1 white tiered skirt – for day and evening
1 black & white stripe skirt – has a pattern for interest – for day and evening

Second, Choose Coordinating Tops

Once you are settled on the bottoms, choose seven (7) coordinating tops or one for each day. Four (4) of the seven tops should be able to be dressed up for evening or special daytime events if that is part of your trip itinerary. I have chosen a variety of tops in my color scheme of black, white, and blue and included one top in orange that will add a pop of color. My seven tops were:

Blue and white striped button-down shirt – to wear on the plane both ways
Black silk top – can be dressed up for the evening
Blue cotton tunic – can be worn with leggings and can be dressed up for the evening
White eyelet top
Blue, black & white polyester shell – can be dressed up for the evening
Blue and white striped cotton top
Orange top – my pop of color and can be dressed up for the evening

TIP: One thing to note, if you are a person who tends to wear more dresses than pants and skirts, then swap out one bottom and one top for each dress you are taking. For example, if you are taking 3 dresses, you would take only 3 bottoms and 4 tops.

Next, Choose Your One-And-Done Item

Finally, choose a one-and-done piece. This can be a dress, a jumpsuit, caftan. Something that works on its own and doesn’t need to be coordinated. It can even be a matching suit. This item can be worn during the day but should work well for the evening. My one-and-done is a patterned dress (item #14) that can also act as a tunic with my leggings.

Add the Supporting Pieces

After the main 14 items have been selected and coordinated, it is time to add lingerie and other supporting pieces, such as jackets, hats, and scarves. Below is a list of the bare minimum to pack in this category. Choose each item to suit the season or the weather at your destination.

Two (2) tank tops in whatever colors go with your color scheme. These can be worn under other tops or alone.
One (1) tee shirt in white or black. Again, this can be worn alone or under a button-down shirt, sweater or jacket as required.
One (1) swimsuit and coverup. I never leave home without a swimsuit. You never know if there will be a pool, sauna, hot tub, lake, beach, or waterpark nearby.
One set of pajamas in your preferred format, be it a dress, a matching set, or simple shorts and a tee shirt.
Two (2) pairs of shoes and one pair of flip-flops if you plan to go to the pool or the beach. You should be wearing one of the two pairs of shoes to the airport. Also, one of the two pairs of shoes should be comfortable to walk in on daily basis. This can be a sneaker or a comfortable pair of flats, boots, or sandals depending on the season.
Two (2) bras – pack one, wear one. If you tend to sweat a lot and don’t want to wash, take one extra bra for a total of three (3) bras.
Underwear – pack one or two per day depending on your schedule. I tend to shower again before going out for the evening, so two per day works best for me.
2-3 pairs of socks depending on your planned activities.
1 scarf that you love. Preferably, it should be big and beautiful. A nice scarf to cover your head or shoulders will come in handy on the plane, on the beach, for modesty at religious sites, in cold restaurants, or on cool nights. I’ve been saved by having a scarf in my bag on many occasions. One instance was in Barbados where I was unaware that women are not allowed to enter the courthouse with bare shoulders. Luckily I had a scarf in my bag, which saved me from having to return the next day.
1 Jacket, sweater, sweatshirt, or cardigan if needed. Wear it on the plane. TIP: If you are traveling to somewhere very warm and it’s winter where you are, consider traveling with just a light sweater or jacket and leaving your winter coat at home. You will most likely be delivered to and from your home airport in a warm car. This will save you from having to lug your winter coat around in a warm country.
2 Bags – 1 tote + 1 day/evening bag. If you don’t have a good day/evening combination bag, it’s okay to sneak in a small and beautiful evening purse.
1 hat if required or desired in both hot and cold climates. This too should be worn on the plane if it is not squishable for packing.

Finally, Tag and Bag by Category

Once you have packed all the things that will go on your body, you should have plenty of room left in your suitcase to fit the other essentials with ease. These include:

1 wet pouch for TSA-regulated oils & creams including toiletry and makeup items.
1 dry pouch for dry makeup items like powder and shadows as well as other items such as combs & brushes. This can be as large or small as you desire.
1 electronics pouch containing chargers, converters, and thumb drives.
1 medical pouch containing prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs. (Optional)

This system will keep you organized on for packing as well as in the hotel or your final destination. Everything should fit tidily into your carry-on with room to spare. This is my smallest carry-on which is only 2.5″W X21″ L x 8.5″D (31.7 W X 53.3 L x 21.5D cm). The length measurement includes the wheels. These are the unexpanded dimensions. So there is plenty of room left to bring back any purchases. I have a larger one for longer trips or when I want to carry a bit more if there is a special occasion such as a wedding.

What to wear where while traveling?

As mentioned earlier, your travel outfit will be selected from among the 14 items you put together for the trip. In my case, I choose jeans and a button-down shirt, with a white tee shirt underneath for extra warmth. But the choice is yours. All that’s required is that it is comfortable to travel in and makes you look and feel good.

What to Put in Your Personal Item?

We have come to the end of what should be in your carry-on. Everything else should be in your tote or personal item.

The personal item is what you will put at your feet under the seat in front of you. What you put in here should truly be personal to you. It should contain everything you need to keep you entertained and comfortable at the airport and on the plane. There is no right or wrong here. The list includes, but is not limited to:

Small bag or crossbody bag containing your ID, purse, passport, gum, tissues, pen, cell phone & charger.
Laptop, iPad, Kindle, or camera.
Electronics pouch or at the very least your phone charger.
Books, magazines.
Water bottle and snacks.
Glasses & Sunglasses
Scarf – if you’re not already wearing it.

Your list may vary from mine, but it should include anything that is super important to you like your laptop, your expensive sunglasses, and whatever else will make the airport and plane ride more pleasant without making your bag too heavy and cumbersome. I try to carry as little as possible in my tote but I make sure to include everything that will give me peace of mind. If you are comfortable with it, some of the above items can travel in your carry-on. What you want to have close at hand in your tote or handbag will be so different from the next person, but with this packing process, you should be able to travel comfortably with one tote and one carry-on for 7 to 10 days in winter, spring, fall, or summer. Safe Travels!!!

Be sure to download the 14-Item Carry-on Packlist on our Resources Tab before you plan your next getaway.