Avoid Overpacking On Your Next Trip With This Simple Wardrobe Strategy

If you're an overpacker, you're not alone. So many of us end up back home with half the things we brought still folded in the bottom of our suitcases. You're definitely not the only person who grabbed three options for each day, with an extra fancy outfit for evening, as though you might be invited to have tea with royalty. Maybe you searched for the best clothes-rolling methods to save space in your suitcase but just couldn't resist bringing two extra pairs of shoes and a few extra socks, just in case. However, there is one simple wardrobe strategy that may solve your overpacking issue once and for all, and maybe even allow you to get away with a single carry-on bag rather than a pricey checked one. And it starts with reflecting on your past travel wardrobe choices.

If you're a chronic overpacker, it's time to look at your own history and patterns. This is particularly helpful if you've traveled recently. Go over what you packed, then consider what you used and what you didn't. If you have a trip coming up, you might want to note down what you're bringing and compare it to what you actually used once you get home. That way, you can make a more slimmed-down list for the next trip. If you didn't use an item, remove it from the future packing list.

In addition to looking at your packing history and considering what you actually use on a trip, you should ask yourself some questions about why you brought it all in the first place. Were you worried about the weather? Were you concerned that you'd be caught unprepared for something? Might it even be that you felt closer to home with more of your own things traveling along with you? Addressing the reason you overpack in the first place can help you make a better plan.

Obviously, checking the weather report ahead of time can help you pack lighter. Having one pair of shoes that are water resistant or waterproof and a collapsible umbrella is usually enough to prepare you for the rain, and a puffy jacket can be worn on the plane to keep it out of your suitcase. If you're worried about needing something dressy, just in case, one neutral pair of pants and a shirt, or a dress in a neutral color, can be changed up and worn again with different accessories like scarves, jewelry, and belts, as those take up less room than additional garments. If some self-reflection tells you that you might be homesick and want your own things around you, you might consider bringing one item that gives you comfort, like a small stuffed animal or a favorite book programmed into your e-reader or other device, rather than four of your favorite shirts.

Another method that can help you keep your tendency to overpack under control is planning your outfits ahead of time. Try each one on in a mirror and take a picture so you can put together a visual list with full outfits in mind. (Do this early so you're not stress-packing at the last minute.) Choose neutral colors that mix and match easily to minimize the number of garments you need to bring. Wear the same jeans or basic pants for more than one day and change the shirt, or pick a neutral-colored cardigan that can go over any shirt or dress (and can be tied around your waist if it gets warm). A colorful scarf that doesn't take up much luggage space can give the outfit a whole new vibe.

This goes for toiletries as well. If your quart-size liquids bag is filled to the brim, you may want to reconsider the five hair products you brought and, say, use your regular conditioner as a leave-in, and make your lip balm do double duty as a way to tame flyaways. (You can also slice off a tiny bit with a piece of floss and use it to cover any spots on your feet that might get blistered from your walking shoes.) In addition, you can make more items fit in your bag while also keeping it organized with packing cubes, which you can get at Dollar Tree so you don't end up spending a fortune. Finally, if you just can't get your packing list down and you want to avoid airline baggage fees, try a few hacks like putting clothing that doesn't wrinkle in your airplane neck pillow and wearing your heaviest items on the flight.