Over a week ago I shared with you my personal challenge to travel for almost 2 weeks with just a carry on. (You can see the pieces I included as well as my accessories HERE.)
Guess what? I did it!
Day one had me traveling across the country with just my carry on and a basket that acted as my “purse” containing my wallet, plane tickets, magazines, a book, healthy snacks and my beloved Canon camera.
I wore a sweater as I always get cold on planes, a striped blouse, navy capri’s, as well as easy slip off/on shoes for security.
I’ll save the details of what I did each day in upcoming posts. It just seemed to make more sense to combine all the fashion into one post in the event you want to try to make the challenge your own in the future.
It was rather warm on day two so I opted for sandals, pearls, gold hoops, white capri’s, coral t shirt and a green sweater.
Day three had us on or in the water. I cheated and wore a pair of Sweet Boy’s short with a lightweight yellow t shirt. Minimal jewelry and sandals completed the beachy ensemble.
Day four had me driving for 3 1/2 hours to our next destination where we hit the ground running touring a fabulous museum. (More on that later.) Comfort was key in coral t shirt, jean capri’s, striped flats and pearls.
On day five we left midday for an afternoon of driving. This is the best I can provide. As a resident Phoenician a massive downpour is such a novelty to us that Sweet Boy deemed it photo worthy from the back seat. It provides a glimpse of my yellow t shirt.
On day 6 the white capri’s made a return but were paired with a green top. Sandals and a bright necklace made for a cool concoction on a hot day. (Can’t wait to share where I was!)
The striped blouse from day one came back for a show on day seven. It was paired with coral pants this go around.
Day 8 was a photograph failure. It was a miserable driving day that lasted far too long. I wore the navy capri’s shown on day one with a white dotted cotton tank, fun jewelry and sandals.
The coral t shirt made its third appearance this time paired with the navy polka dotted skirt.
A sweltering day with lots of walking called for the yellow t shirt paired with comfy denim capri’s and striped flats.
Day eleven was a fashion photograph fail again. I spent the day with a friend and was so excited to take pictures of her home and garden that I forgot. I am not used to making myself the focus in photos so my apologies for dropping the ball. However, I wore the green top shown on day six with the navy capris from day one, striped flats and fun jewelry.
For my return trip home I wore the white dotted tank previously worn on day 8 with the coral capri’s from day seven and the navy sweater and striped flats.
Answers to inevitable questions.
What Else Was In The Carry On Besides the 12 pieces of clothing, jewelry and shoes?
All of my toiletries and makeup in clear 3 ounce bottles which were then safely sealed in a zip lock bag for spill insurance.
A travel sized hairdryer, flat iron and hairbrush.
Six days worth of undergarments and one set of pajamas.
Three hostess gifts.
laundry
Yes, a load of laundry was needed mid way through the trip. (Thanks Nene!)
Given that each piece (save for the polka dotted skirt) was worn at least twice and sometimes three times it was necessary. But even if you had to pay to do laundry at a laundromat or hotel it would still be far less than the round trip bag check fee of $50 +.
Would I Pack This Way again?
Absolutely! Even though I dress a bit…. flashier? (heavy on accessories, etc) in my everyday life there is something to be said for a paired down suitcase. I am already thinking about how much more stuff I can bring back on my next trip to Europe instead of using precious packing space for clothes. 🙂
What magazines and book did you read While on vacation?
I packed the latest issues of B H & G, House Beautiful, Travel & Leisure, Country Living and The Paris Wife (of which I find myself still wanting to smack the living daylights out of Ernest Hemingway).
What’s in your carry on?
Laura
Love this, Laura, but I fear I'm not as organized as you are. I usually travel with black pants (jeans) and a variety of tops, but I add searsucker crop pants for summer. Tops are varied. I also wear dressier black pants for going out. Not much on skirts these days.
Loving how you mixed and matched everything!! And now that I have a Kindle … I love that I have a million books at my finger tips without the extra weight 🙂
Great job, Laura – esp. love the white dotted tank! Like Julie ^, I carry a tablet and download my subscriptions to lighten the load. I have the Paris Wife sitting here, waiting to be read – your comment makes me want to push it to the back of the stack!
What a great job of packing light! I could have used your ideas before my last trip. Do you know where I can get a basket like yours?
Hi Laura I love your choices and color palette for the trip. I love that you wear capris ( I do NOT wear shorts) Really we have much the same style! By the way wear did you find the dotted white top, I adore it!
I have a Kindle Fire and have downloaded so many books I have still to read!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Oh and I did read The Paris Wife with my book club. He was such a cad, so young he should not have been married then! I have to admire his writing!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
You looked fresh and pretty every day! But then again, I expect you always do every day! I was wondering about the laundry thing too. I hate coming home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry. I always try to wash everything close to the end of the trip as well.
Looks like it was a great trip and can't wait to see all the pics! 🙂
You look adorable in all of your outfits. I love it. I just packed for 2 1/2 weeks in a carry on too. I use to travel this way all the time when I was working. You did a super job of explaining yours. Love this post. Hugs, Marty
Each day you looked stylish.
My daughter reacts the same to the rain. She has to photograph it, film it, and stand under the umbrella and experience it. That's desert life.
I'm impressed because I never travel light….
Did you like The Paris Wife?
Traveling light is the way to go. You look great in all the photos – comfortable and stylish.
I would have liked to smack EH, too.
Very nice! I love this idea. If you didn't mention it, I wouldn't notice that you had such a small number of pieces through the twelve days.
You did so good. My last trip was a packing failure. The weather totally changed and I was NOT prepared.
Well done!! I have a trip coming up soon too and will keep this in mind when I pack. I always pack too much! You did a great job of looking chic and packing light!
Very good Laura and you look so adorable!
And I can't get over how you can wear your son's shorts…tiny gal you.
Hugs friend,
Cindy
I pack that way, too, and even write down what outfits I'm planning and some alternatives to accommodate weather challenges. It's the only way to go!
Seeing you makes me think its do-able for me, but probably when I'm braver! I'm a pack-rat and would over pack all the time!
I'm late to this party, but we travel for 5 weeks at a time with carry on. I found helpful hints on the site OneBag. You managed to look much more varied/put together than I have done so I'm taking notes!
Your dotted white tank is fabulous! Must have.