A Professional Packer Shares the Biggest Packing Mistakes to Avoid

For years, packing was my biggest travel stressor. I’m the type of person who always wants to have the right outfit for every moment, and I love having options—both of which don’t exactly translate to lightness and efficiency. There were countless trips where I either hated all the outfits I brought with me or I’d find myself lugging around more (and heavier) bags than was necessary. 

However, as I got older and started to travel more often, I knew it was time to actively hone my packing skills. Gone would be the days of checking a bag just because I couldn’t decide which combination of pants and tops to bring. Never again would I start filling my suitcase without having a rough idea of what I wanted or needed to bring. So I began to experiment with various techniques, like folding versus rolling my clothes. I’d spend hours scouring the internet for outfit inspiration ahead of my travels. I also began to prep my own packing lists, outlining my ideal wish list for trips and then narrowing it down to the essentials. 

I’ve since learned there’s no easy hack to packing well. Sure, there are best practices and several major mistakes to avoid, but it’s rarely a quick, mindless task. If you’re someone, like me, who genuinely cares about the outfits you wear while traveling, packing is a process that requires forethought and planning. It takes strategic thinking, matching up your destination, the weather, and your itinerary with the contents of your suitcase, duffel, or backpack. 

It’s for that very reason I started a packing newsletter, sharing the packing lists I’ve created and used myself. Because, trust me when I tell you, going in with a solid game plan almost always results in lighter bags, less stress, and significantly fewer “I have nothing to wear” moments while traveling.

While packing lists are my top recommendation if you want to become a better traveler, I’d also suggest avoiding some of the biggest (and most common) packing mistakes below—all of which I’ve either experienced through trial and error or heard about from fellow travelers.

Mistake: Not Creating a Capsule Wardrobe

For me, packing became significantly less time-consuming as I began to curate a wardrobe full of high-quality basics, otherwise known as a capsule wardrobe. I found jeans that felt appropriately casual, but could be elevated with a simple slingback, a dressier top, and some jewelry. I invested in neutrals and timeless styles that I wouldn’t want to donate in a year or two. I started focusing on quality over quantity and adamantly refused to pack anything that wasn’t comfortable and aligned with my personal style. Now with a closet of versatile, all-season pieces, I face less decision paralysis when I’m packing. I also know most of my clothes will, for the most part, coordinate and complement each other, so I don’t feel the need to pack extra “just in case” tops or dresses. 

Mistake: Not Using Packing Cubes

Packing cubes were one of the very first tools I fell in love with at the beginning of my quest to become a better packer. Even if I’m just packing for a short weekend, I’ll use the cubes to organize my clothing by outfit or type. It’s an approach that not only helps me visualize what I’m packing, but also forces me to make the tough decisions. For instance, if that second sweater or third pair of pants doesn’t fit in the cube, it’s probably best to leave it at home. 

While some travelers prefer compression packing cubes—the ones that use a zipper system to cut down on bulk—I also like to use regular packing cubes for organizational purposes. I’ll bring an extra one to hold dirty laundry during my trip; that way, I can easily transfer it from my suitcase to my laundry basket when I’m unpacking. 

Mistake: Traveling With a Subpar Carry-on Suitcase

I might try to go carry-on-only, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to use the smallest bag possible; I want to use all of the real estate I’m allotted. That said, I’ve made it my mission to find the most spacious, durable carry-on suitcase on the market. After testing carry-on models from a number of luggage brands (including those in the luxury space), I can definitively say that the Away Bigger Carry-on is my favorite. According to the brand, the suitcase is designed to hold between four and seven days’ worth of clothing, a measurement I can confirm is accurate. Whenever I travel with another carry-on, I always struggle to fit everything in.

Mistake: Forgetting About the Power of a Personal Item Bag

Traveling with a carry-on doesn’t necessarily mean you just have one bag to fit everything in (although exact carry-on luggage rules may vary by airline and seat class). I’m a huge proponent of the personal item bag, as it can hold some of your bulkier or more rigid belongings that take up too much space in your suitcase. I like to use mine to carry my toiletries, an extra pair of shoes, my laptop, and any other items I might want to have easy access to, like chargers, lip balm, and even a smaller purse. 

Like suitcases, I’ve tested a variety of different styles to find what I deem the very best personal item bag. Most recently, I’ve been converted to this Calpak backpack; it can hold just as much as my carry-on (and still fit under the plane seat in front of me).  

Mistake: Not Having a Strategy for Toiletries

Before I earned my “professional packer” title, I would opt to check a bag simply because I didn’t want to deal with my toiletries. The thought of transferring my shampoo, conditioner, face wash, and other serums and moisturizers into travel-sized containers was daunting, and I chose to avoid it rather than find a solution. But when I took the time to actually figure out a strategy, it quickly became apparent this didn’t need to be the most painful part of packing. 

Now, I keep a stash of travel-sized toiletries, like contact solution and toothpaste, on hand at all times, and I use Cadence Capsules to carry liquids that require smaller containers. I even have a few organizer drawers that I use to hold any sample-sized products I get from Sephora or pick up at hotels. Whenever it’s time to pack my toiletry bag, I can just grab and go—no checked bag required.