The short answer
Pick one colour palette, pack 4 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 layer, 1 jacket, 5 sets of underwear and 2 pairs of shoes (one worn). Roll soft items, stack structured ones, and do one sink wash mid-trip.
A week fits in a carry-on for almost every trip type. The constraint is outfit repetition, not volume.
Step by step
- Check your airline's exact size and weight limit — they differ more than people expect.
- Choose two neutrals and one accent so every top works with every bottom.
- Lay out the full week, then remove 30% of it.
- Roll knits and t-shirts; fold and stack structured shirts flat on top.
- Wear the bulkiest shoes and jacket on the plane.
- Decant liquids to 100ml and put them in one clear bag at the top.
- Leave 10% of the space empty for things you buy.
What it costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Packing cubes | $18–$40 |
| Travel toiletry bottles | $8–$15 |
| Laundry sheets | $5–$10 |
| Checked bag avoided | saves $35–$80 each way |
Common questions
Roll or fold?
Roll soft knits, fold structured shirts. Rolling everything creases collars.
Do packing cubes save space?
They save time and order, not much volume. Compression cubes do save volume.
What about a suit?
Fold shoulder-in-shoulder, place flat on top, hang it in the bathroom during a hot shower on arrival.