How to Pack Like a Pro: Minimalist Packing with Style
We recently had the pleasure of spending 10 days in China and 4 days in Seattle. We have grown to detest checking luggage and now bring only carry on luggage. This forces us to pack a minimal wardrobe, but we still enjoy dressing stylishly. Here's everything we packed for two weeks in Shanghai, Beijing, and Seattle.
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Carolyn Wore:
black newsboy-style hat solid black dress black leggings socks and underclothes Cole Haan ZeroGrand waterproof lightweight hiking boots leather hooded coat (mine is purple, which I love, because it gives me a pop of color)
In Carolyn's Backpack:
1 pair of black eel skin ankle boots 1 pair of flip flops 1 shawl (great for on the plane/train/bus) 1 black dress with floral pattern 1 black lightweight blazer-style jacket 14 pairs of socks 14 pairs of underwear 2 bras 1 bikini 1 outfit for pajamas (shirt and jeggings) 2 pairs of leggings (SO versatile; wear them under a dress to keep your legs warm or wear them as pj's) 1 pair of black shorts 1 pair of blue jeans 1 denim skirt 4 shirts that could be mixed and matched with a number of bottoms 1 Columbia rain jacket small Cole Haan toiletries bag mucus relief and stool softener (trust me, you'll be glad you have them) GoPro and stabilizer stick
In Carolyn's Purse:
Passport case with passport, credit/debit cards, driver license Makeup bag with essentials (lip balm, powder, concealer) Fresh wipes Wired headphones Medicine case Sunglasses Cell phone charger Spiral-bound journal and pen Tissues Cough drops Carolyn's Packing Tips: 1. Pack socks inside your extra shoes. It will save space and keep your shoes from getting smashed. 2. Pack underwear in ziplock baggies and press the air out. 3. Every single piece of clothing needs to be dual-purpose / mix-n-match appropriate. Versatility is key. 4. Plan to wear layers so that you are ready for all types of weather. 
What's in my purse? This (plus a couple other things).
Marvin Wore:
button up shirt fitted jogging pants socks and underclothes tan lace up shoes In Marvin's Backpack: gray lace up shoes Croc flip flops 5 button up shirts 5 under shirts 2 t-shirts for pj's 2 pairs of blue jeans 1 pair of swim trunks 14 pairs of underwear 14 pairs of socks Nikon camera, additional lens, 2 extra batteries, charger, and extra memory card Coach toiletries bag Vitamin C, Benadryl, Tums, and Ibuprofen (again, you'll be happy you have them) 1 Columbia rain jacket 1 Columbia down coat (this easily packs into a small pouch, saving valuable space) powered laundry detergent (to do laundry at our B&B in Seattle)
In Marvin's Leather Briefcase:
Leather journal and pen Beats by Dre Pro Cough drops Lotion Tissues
Marvin's Packing Tips:
1. Roll all clothing to maximize space. 2. If you have packed your bag and run out of space for everything, unpack and repack. Chances are, you'll find a way to fit everything. 3. When packing your backpack, keep your heaviest items closest to your back. Put the lightest-weight items on top.
Please note that we each take exactly two pairs of shoes - wearing one and packing the other - plus flip flops to use as shower shoes. This has been one of the hardest things for me, as I love, love, LOVE shoes. But I wear my stylish, super-comfy waterproof hikers pretty much everywhere so that I am ready for anything. I bring one pair of dressier shoes (in this case, ankle boots) so that I can dress up when it's appropriate. For this trip Marvin brought two pairs of shoes in the same style but in different colors so that he could change up his look and still have comfortable, versatile shoes. Since then, he has found some fantastic, snazzy waterproof hikers. For our 7-week trip to Europe starting next month, he will wear the hikers on a daily basis and take something a bit dressier as his extra pair of shoes.
For longer trips, we use larger (approx. 48L) backpacks. For shorter trips, like our upcoming 4-day San Diego excursion, we'll take day packs. Our packing list for San Diego will be closer to this. Also note that we do NOT use packing cubes. Packing everything into backpacks requires us to use every available nook and cranny, and packing cubes are just not conducive for this. Do you use packing cubes? Do you find them useful or no? *While affiliate links are included and we will receive a small commission should you decide to purchase any of these products, these are all products we use and love. If you like our blog, please help support us by purchasing through the links we've provided. Thanks, all!
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