We’re off! Jeff and I are finally heading to Santorini and the Amalfi Coast for a belated honeymoon. On previous trips to Europe I packed huge suitcases—I’m guilty of over-packing—and carting them across cobblestone streets and onto trains was miserable. This time we vowed to travel with only a carry-on. I worried I’d only be able to bring a couple of outfits, but I discovered two important things: you can fit a surprising amount into a carry-on, and you don’t really need as much as you think.
Below is a breakdown of what I packed and how I plan to wear each piece throughout the trip.
TOPS
White sleeveless top from Trina Turk | Green sleeveless from H&M | White short sleeve blouse | Yellow button-down from Gap | Chambray shirt from Gap | White T-shirt | Yellow T-shirt | Pink blazer | Yellow blazer
BOTTOMS
White jeans | Chambray pants | Black and white joggers | Minnow shorts | Neon shorts
DRESSES + JUMPSUITS
Yellow dress | Sand art dress | Tropical jumpsuit | Overalls
SWIMWEAR
Donut bikini top and bottom | Yellow bikini | Neon cover-up
SHOES
Flats | Sneakers | Flip flops | Heeled sandals
ACCESSORIES
Pink necklace | Fun statement necklaces | Lemon clutch | Yellow sunglasses | Hat
My main tip for packing light is to stick to a cohesive color palette. For this trip I chose two neutrals—white and chambray—and added a few bright accents in pink, yellow, and green. Sticking to a simple color story makes mixing and matching effortless and maximizes outfit variety from a limited number of pieces.
I prefer outfits built from shorts or pants plus tops rather than relying on dresses, so my bag is packed with more tops and bottoms and only a couple of dresses for nicer dinners. The pieces I chose layer and coordinate easily, so I can create many looks for sightseeing, beach days, and evenings out without overfilling the suitcase.
Photos by Studio DIY | Carry-on suitcase provided by Hartmann
That’s the full packing plan. I also slipped in one extra pair of shoes at the last minute and brought a sweater to wear on the plane. With these pieces I can create many outfits to cover beach days, sightseeing, and evenings out without needing checked luggage.
Are you an over-packer or a minimalist? Do you roll your clothes to save space, or do you prefer packing cubes? What are your best tips for trimming down a suitcase?
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