~ Carmen
If you’re like me, when you are traveling you like your options.  This is especially true if your destination has frequent weather changes.  I use to have an overpacking issue, but after many trips and “no elevator” situations, I’ve finally learned how to fit everything I need  for a 7 day trip into one small carry on bag.  Disclaimer-  I often check a bag too because I really, really like to shop!  I also have a daypack that I use for touring (see 9 Daypack Essential to Keep You Prepared While Traveling).
6 Steps for Packing 7+ Days of Clothing in a Carry On Bag
1. Â Pick out coordinating clothing.
I usually stick with two main colors. Â I know some people suggest to take mainly black, but my pale skin looks vampirish in black, so I ignore that advice. Â In the pictures below, you’ll notice mainly coral, blue, and white. Â This coordination gives me more choices and variety in outfits.
For this post I packed:
7 Â T-shirts/blouses
4 Â pair of pants & jeans
3 Â pair of shorts
1 Â skirt
1 Â dress
1 Â cardigan
1 Â rain/wind jacket
2 Â scarves
3 pair of shoes
As you can see, I have more than enough pieces for a week. Â I usually pack this combination when I’m going to be gone ten or more days and then hand wash halfway through my stay. Â I love these Tide Travel Sink Packets! Â I keep one with my toiletries all of the time. Â Perfect for hand washing in the sink.
Now all of those items would not fit in my carry on bag folded the normal way. Â I folded them up and then pressed down as hard as I could. Â You can see that they clothes come way past the top of the suitcase.

I could close it if I pressed down while zipping, but then I wouldn’t have any room for my undies which I normally put in the top zipper pocket. Â You have to have undies!
2. Â Roll up each item of clothing tightly.
Rolling up the clothes seems to keep them from wrinkling as much as just folding them, and it takes up less space. Â Also, a rolled up pair of jeans will less likely “expand” when I put them in my suitcase.
3. Â Put similar types of clothing in 2-gallon ziplock bags.
I love 2-gallon ziplock bags for packing. Â They are way cheaper than the space bags you see on TV. Â I always throw in an empty bag or two labeled “dirty” with a sharpie so my clean clothes don’t get mixed up with my dirty ones. Â This is especially helpful when we’re camping and get really dirty (and smelly)!
I put similar types of clothing in the same bag, for example all of the shorts in one bag. Â I use to put outfits together in one bag but found it not necessary when everything matches. Â Plus, it never failed that I would have a shorts & top together, and then would need to wear pants and a cardigan because of a weather change.

Pants Bag: 2 Pair of Jeans, Light Cotton Pants, & White Capris
3. Â Sit on the bag!
This is the secret scientific part of the packing.  Before zipping up the pack, you sit your bottom down on the bag squeezing all of the air out of it.  For extra flatness, roll your bottom back and forth. A bigger bottom comes in handy for this step!

Here is the same bag as above after I have sat on it and squeezed the air out. Jeans don’t get as flat as other types of pants, but I seem to be able wear them more times before they need to be washed.
4. Â Roll and flatten the rest of your clothes.

7 Blouses and T-shirts + 2 Scarves

3 Pair of Shorts & Rain/Wind Jacket

Skirt, Cardigan, & Dress
5. Â Put bulky, non-flattening items in your suitcase first.
I always put my shoes in first because the ziplock bags will bend around them. Â I will usually fill in the shoes with socks or other small items like some jewelry (in snack-sized bags) or undies. Â My toiletries I put in the outside pockets of the suitcase. Â Don’t forget your liquids need to be in a clear, quart-sized bag. Â Putting my liquids in the outside pockets helps me going through security more quickly. Â That way I don’t have to open my whole suitcase to pull them out.

3 Pair of Comfortable Walking Shoes: I love Keds, Vans, and Sketchers!
6. Â Put the rest of the ziplock bags in the suitcase.
See how I still have extra room! Â I put any electronics I might need in the airport right on top so I can find them easily!
I love my international portable power adapter and converter! Â It is one of the best travel accessories that I have ever purchased. Â It goes with me everywhere! When I’m sitting in the airport, the whole family can charge their phones at once. Â We even keep it out in the living room at home. Â No more fighting over who gets to use the electrical plug by the couch!
Are any of these suggestions new to you or do you have a different packing system?  We’d love to hear your ideas.  Please comment below!  Keep up with all of our travel, camping, and cycling tips by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,and  Pinterest.  Leave us your email (blue box at the bottom of the post) to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and never miss a post!
~ Carmen
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Hannah
July 10, 2016 5:49 amGreat tips! I did a similar post earlier in the year and we overlap on a lot of things 🙂 I’m also a huge fan of rolling clothing!
Pack Your Baguios
July 10, 2016 2:40 pmRolling makes a huge difference! Great minds think alike!
Sarah Zerbe
July 10, 2016 8:20 amYou are an amazing packer! I could not personally fit all of that into a cary on. Plus I get high maintenance and need about a second cary on just for all of my accessories haha.
Pack Your Baguios
July 10, 2016 2:43 pmIt’s the accessories that really hurt keeping at home, but I usually end up buying earrings and bracelets as souvenirs.
Falon
July 10, 2016 12:57 pmThis is awesome! I’m such a terrible packer. I always over pack and then don’t need half of the things I bring. Definitely going to use some of these tips in the future!
Pack Your Baguios
July 10, 2016 2:43 pmGlad you could use some of the tips!
Shantel Collins
July 10, 2016 8:03 pmThese a very great packing tips! I’ll take pleasure and using them on my next vacation! Thanks for sharing!
Pack Your Baguios
July 11, 2016 7:45 amThank you for stopping by!
Jessica
July 10, 2016 9:37 pmGreat tips! It can get expensive checking luggage, so these tips for carry ons are great!
Pack Your Baguios
July 11, 2016 7:46 amIt can get very expensive checking luggage plus taking big bulky luggage on subways or up narrow stairways is a pain!
Chel
July 11, 2016 5:20 amWoah… these tips are amazing. So needed that for our honeymoon. We packed too much and yet not enough… Lol.
I’ll have to take those into consideration next time we go on a trip. Thanks for the tips!
Pack Your Baguios
July 11, 2016 7:47 amYou are welcome!
Chel
July 11, 2016 7:14 amGreat tips! I’m heading out on a trip on wednesday so i’ll definitely take these ideas!
Pack Your Baguios
July 11, 2016 7:47 amHave a safe, fun trip!
Laura Kathleen
July 11, 2016 7:26 amI never use plastic bags for my clean clothes, do you find they don’t get wrinkled? If not that’s a great idea to get more into your suitcase!
Laura | Laura Aime Vous
Pack Your Baguios
July 11, 2016 10:54 amRolling the clothes up is the key. If you roll them tightly before putting them in the ziplock, they actually are less likely to wrinkle than just folding them.
Erica @ Coming Up Roses
July 11, 2016 8:02 amRolling up tightly is key! I’m packing for my upcoming weekend at my best friend’s wedding across the country this week, so this list will be key!
Coming Up Roses
Pack Your Baguios
July 11, 2016 10:55 amGreat! Have fun at the wedding!
Rachel
November 3, 2019 11:08 amThanks for this post. It saved my bacon this morning after I came on a trip with a carry-on and then did a little too much shopping on my weekend trip.:) I didn’t have any 2 gallon bags handy so I just used my shopping bags and I was (almost) able to fit my stuff along with my new new purchases. For everything I couldn’t fit I used a big reusable shopping bag and put my purse and new shoes inside of that and used it as my personal item.
Vickie Gizzi
September 22, 2022 3:16 pmThis was very helpful – great ideas.