Goodbye, Overpacking! My 12 Life-Changing Secrets for Minimalist Travel (and Serious Style)
By Rosie Marder
Does this sound familiar? You’re packing for a trip, and you end up with a swollen monster of a suitcase that threatens to explode at any moment. You find yourself dreading the airport scale more than a final exam. Well, that used to be me! I’m Rosie Marder, your friend and a writer here at Travel + Leisure, and I was once the reigning queen of “just in case.”
But who ever said that traveling light meant giving up your style? Spoiler alert: nobody! After years of battling with my luggage, I’ve finally found the holy grail—a system so simple it has completely revolutionized the way I pack.
So, want to know what has truly saved my life (and my back)? Here are my 12 must-have items and the strategic mindset shift that allows me to embrace minimalist travel without sacrificing that chic touch. The best part? You can find items starting from just $8!
My Big Secret: The “Color Bank” and a Strategic Mindset
Imagine your suitcase is a small, but super chic and expensive, apartment. Every single item you put inside must earn its space. My starting point is what I call the “color bank.” Before I pack anything, I choose two neutral colors (think black, gray, white, or camel) and one accent color that I absolutely love. Then, I stick to them like my life depends on it!
For example, on my last trip, I chose a camel coat, black pants, and a burgundy cardigan. The result? Everything matched with everything else. The coat, the pants, the cardigan… they created an endless array of looks! This strategy eliminates the “I have nothing to wear” panic and, more importantly, forces every piece to have multiple lives. You free up space, weight, and stress. It’s pure magic!
Check Out These Bargains! The Best Deals on My Minimalist Travel Essentials:
- BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes (Set of 4): $20 (was $33)
- Everlane The Luxe Knit Turtleneck: $35 (was $58)
- Gogooda Travel Laundry Bags: $8 (was $9)
- Adidas Samba OG Sneakers: $100
- Uniqlo Merino Cardigan: $50
- Bagsmart Toiletry Bag Hanging Travel Organizer: $20 (was $28)
- Madewell Straight Leg Slouchy Pants: $60 with code HOLIDAY (was $120)
* Nexdo G6 Travel Steamer: $40
My 12 Essentials for Light and Stylish Minimalist Travel
1. BAGAIL Compression Packing Cubes (Set of 4)
- Price: $20 (was $33) on Amazon.
- If you’re like me and suffer from “exploding suitcase syndrome,” these cubes are your GAME-CHANGER. Not only do they compress your clothes to fit more (or the same amount in less space), but they also force you to be honest with yourself: do I really need that third pair of “just in case” jeans? Say goodbye to unnecessary what-ifs! And your suitcase? Perfectly organized, always.
2. QUINCE Mongolian Cashmere-Wool Blend Coat
- Price: $160 at Quince.com.
- One coat to rule them all! For winter travel, my secret is this beautiful merino wool-blend coat from Quince. It’s elegant enough for a sophisticated dinner but also perfect for a day of sightseeing. It can handle seriously low temperatures (down to 14°F / -10°C!), and its black color is like a chameleon—it goes with EVERYTHING.
- My Super Tip: Always wear your heaviest item on the plane! That way, it doesn’t count toward your luggage weight, and you stay cozy and warm during the flight.
3. Everlane The Luxe Knit Turtleneck
- Price: $41 (was $58) at Everlane.
- A good base layer is like a good friend: it’s always there for you. This ribbed turtleneck is my hero. It’s thin enough to wear under a coat but has enough structure to be worn with a mini skirt and boots for a night out, or with jeans for a more relaxed vibe. It’s pure versatility!
4. Gogooda Travel Laundry Bags
- Price: $8 (was $9) on Amazon.
- Going on a long trip? Doing laundry is your new best friend! Seriously, if you plan for one laundry session mid-trip, you’ll save yourself from packing a ton of extra clothes. These little bags from Gogooda weigh nothing, but upon arrival, voilà! They become your sorting system. Dirty clothes here, clean clothes there. A chaos-free suitcase is guaranteed!
5. Adidas Samba OG Sneakers
- Price: $100 at Revolve.
- My feet will thank you (and you’ll thank me) for these sneakers. A pair of cool, neutral sneakers is an absolute MUST. The Adidas Samba OGs are a classic, and I love them for that touch of burgundy that can fit perfectly into your color palette. Black pants and a sweater for the day? Yes. A knit dress for dinner? Also yes. And they’re so comfortable you can walk entire cities in them!
6. QUINCE Italian Leather Slouchy Crossbody Bag
- Price: $90 at Quince.com.
- A bag that adapts to everything? Yes, please! This leather crossbody from Quince is my perfect companion. The soft leather makes it super chic for the evening, but its spacious interior is fantastic for holding everything you need during a long day of sightseeing. Plus, wearing it as a crossbody keeps your important items secure and in sight—ideal for bustling cities!
7. Uniqlo Extra Fine Merino Crew Neck Cardigan
- Price: $50 at Uniqlo.com.
- Behold, the king of versatility! This merino cardigan from Uniqlo is the piece that ties your whole “color bank” together. Buttoned up with jeans? Draped over your shoulders with a dress? Or creating a monochromatic look with burgundy pants? Anything goes! It’s lightweight, elegant, and you can style it in a thousand ways—exactly what we’re looking for in an efficient travel wardrobe.
8. Madewell The Harlow Wide-Leg Pant
- Price: $60 with code HOLIDAY (was $128) at Madewell.com.
- If any pair of pants deserves a standing ovation, it’s the straight-leg style. These from Madewell are perfection: not too baggy, not too tight. And at 40% off! They are comfort personified for a day of exploring, yet elegant enough to go straight to dinner. They pair with EVERYTHING: sweaters, blazers, silk blouses… they’re the cornerstone of any smart suitcase!
9. Bagsmart Toiletry Bag Hanging Travel Organizer
- Price: $20 (was $28) on Amazon.
- Is your toiletry bag a battlefield? Welcome to the club! This hanging bag from Bagsmart is a before-and-after moment. Everything has its place, from your mini shampoos to your makeup. And when you arrive, you just hang it up! This keeps the bathroom counter free and tidy. Its compartments force you to be selective and avoid the “just in case” trap with beauty products. This is pro-level organization!
10. Nexdo G6 Travel Steamer
- Price: $40 on Amazon.
- To keep your minimalist wardrobe looking impeccable (so you can re-wear pieces without shame!), this mini steamer is my secret weapon. It’s so small it fits in the palm of your hand, heats up in 15 seconds, and—get this—it works as both a steamer and an iron. It banishes wrinkles in a flash, so you can wear that favorite blouse for the third time with total confidence.
11. OPEN EDIT Satin Maxi Skirt
- Price: $60 at Nordstrom.
- This black satin maxi skirt from Open Edit is the most chameleon-like item in my suitcase. It adds an instant touch of elegance and takes up almost no space! Dinner? Wear it with the wool coat and a sweater. A day of walking? Pair it with a long-sleeved tee, a bomber jacket, and your favorite sneakers, and you’re good to go! Its sheen looks luxurious in photos, and its timeless cut means you’ll wear it again and again.
12. VODVOB Chelsea Boots
- Price: $60 on Amazon.
- Because life isn’t all about sneakers, right? For a carry-on winter wardrobe, a pair of lightweight boots is key. These affordable Chelsea boots are pure style, easy to dress up for a special occasion or down for a casual day, and best of all: they’re surprisingly comfortable! One fan even said they are “the most comfortable boots” she has ever worn. Perfect for strolling down old-world streets or heading to a chic dinner, without adding an extra ounce to your luggage.
