How do you pack lightly for a 3 week trip?

Pack less clothing than you think you'll need. For shorter trips, we're big fans of the 1-2-3-4-5-6 Rule for packing: 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 pairs of pants or skirts, 4 shirts, 5 pairs of socks and 6 sets of underwear. It works for long trips, too, as long as you can do laundry once a week.



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No matter how long your trip is, try to limit yourself to no more than seven days' worth of clothing. Get used to wearing clothing more than once (no one really notices or cares). Also, plan on doing laundry on the road.

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Do the clothing countdown: If you need a mantra to help streamline your wardrobe, use the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 rule for a weeklong trip: Limit yourself to no more than five sets of socks and underwear, four tops, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. The list should be adjusted to suit your needs.

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Size Matters: Medium is the Sweet Spot For vacations of 2 to 3 weeks, medium-sized luggage is ideal. It offers ample storage capacity without exceeding airline weight restrictions or becoming too difficult to maneuver.

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From a few days to a few weeks, you can fit everything you need in a carry on. It all comes down to packing efficiently.

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Plan on bringing four shirts per week, and two jackets to layer for warmth (if you're traveling to a cool or cold destination). For a two-week trip, you need four bottoms and eight tops. Pack one or two dresses if you plan on going anywhere fancy, and bring athletic gear if you think you'll hike or exercise.

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To pack a suitcase and maximize space:
  1. Assess the available space in your suitcase.
  2. Prepare your packing list.
  3. Roll clothes instead of folding.
  4. Create a strategy when arranging clothes.
  5. Use packing cubes.
  6. Use a toiletry bag.
  7. Pack travel-sized containers.
  8. Pack your shoes with the rule of three.


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If you have unlimited suitcase space and don't want to do any laundry, a two-week trip means packing 14/2 = 7 bras and at least 14 pairs of underwear. That consumes a lot of valuable suitcase space! To reduce the number of pieces that need to be packed, simply commit to doing laundry on the road.

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Most frequent travelers swear by the “3 pairs of shoes” rule, which is to pack two pairs of functional and comfortable shoes and one pair that's a little more formal and dressier. Some travelers would say you can make do with just two pairs for the entire trip.

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What NOT to pack for travel
  • Multiple pairs of jeans. My jeans that go everywhere with me. ...
  • High heels. ...
  • Shoes you haven't broken in. ...
  • Workout gear if you don't regularly work out at home. ...
  • Things you may only use once. ...
  • A different outfit for every day. ...
  • A laundry line. ...
  • A bunch of hair styling tools.


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Preparing Clothes for Packing Start by ironing or steaming your clothes to remove any existing wrinkles. Use a steam iron or a handheld steamer to gently smooth out the fabric. Pay extra attention to collars, cuffs, and areas prone to creasing. This step will create a solid foundation for wrinkle-free packing.

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Place larger items in your bag first “You'll want to pack the larger items first, such as jackets, trousers, dresses and shirts,” says Boyd. “Instead of folding them, it really helps to place them around the sides of the bottom of the case with any excess fabric draping outside.”

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