How To Pack Light for International Travel

Today, I'm sharing with you how I plan and pack for international travel. You'll also get to see everything I wore for a 10 day trip!

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[JoyfulLivingwithJenLefforge]

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[sharonrollins]

I love the packing videos. I’d like to see you collaborate with a plus size traveler and share tips that might help us “Pooh sized” people pack as efficiently like you do! As a plus size person who wants to start traveling more, I find packing to be my challenge.

[alisong]

I bought a featherweight cashmere scarf from Peili after seeing it recommended in a travel blog. It was a bit expensive ($89) but it's well worth the price! I always take it on the plane with me, as it's very warm and can double as a blanket. You can use it as a wrap or to cover your head in a mosque or temple, or even as a swimsuit cover-up. It's huge (90.5" x 39.4") but folds down to almost nothing. It can be draped around your neck, tied around your waist or tied to the handle of your bag. It comes in over 30 colors. I bought it in the dark teal color and it goes with just about everything.

[Karideplov]

Love the video. I usually get a 5 night trip into my carry-on (could be 7 if it is a summer/beach trip). I once did a comparison with my mom to see how much clothes into a carry-on. I am plus-size and my mom is petite we always used to “argue” about overpacking and I told her it wasn’t overpacking, it’s just that my clothes took up more room. So we did the experiment. We actually have a lot of the same basic items, just in different colors and sizes (she likes color, bright color and floral while I stick to navy, black and browns and stripes). So we each decided to pick 3 pants, 3 tops, 2 shirts, 2 light weight sweaters and 2 jackets plus 2 pairs of shoes and obviously undergarments for each day and 1 set pijamas. We choose items to mix and match and things that could be dressed up if needed. No accessories as we both hate belts or scarves. We selected the same items to take out and wear on our travel day. Again, everything we choose were from the same brand and style, just different sizes and colors. We even did our best to fold exactly the same way (although I am a bit more OCD about the way I perfectly fold my socks and underwear and mom just folds them kind of sloppy…well, my mom fit everything into the carry-on roller bag and i did not. My mom is 5ft 1in and I am 5ft 6in, she is a size 6 shoe and I am a 10.5 or 11 shoe, she is a size 4-6 pants and small shirt. I won’t say my size but let’s just say I am significantly bigger. I had to leave out my back-up jacket and pijamas and really struggled with the shoes.

[salliestephens]

Thank you for this! I'm headed to London and Scotland in 3 weeks for 15 days and am doing carry on only also. I've traveled this way for years and, for me, it works. I love your capsule wardrobe and it's given me some great ideas. Btw: I'm a blue and white stripe girl too!

[gaillittle]

I found Skeechers makes a vegan line that is washable. So you don't mind getting them wet. There also so comfy.

[sandynbtx]

Loved the intro comments about carry on/checked luggage. I am short, and I do a lot of traveling without my husband. I usually check a carry on size bag or a 24” bag so that I can manage my own luggage.

[letakennedy]

Wore my denim jacket today (which I’ve had for 10 years) I didn’t even realize I had winterior pockets! I thought they were just part of the fabric! 💡 Thanks!

[cch]

Thoroughly enjoyed your video. I am a big proponent of packing light and you had much of the same message that I give out. I don't have Marino wool yet but I will have to get some. A rule of thumb I give is packed for one week and then you can travel for a year. Just keep rewearing. And most places have laundry facilities if you can't wash them in the sink. Well done!

[kaylaandmarkalan]

So many great point in this, I don’t even know where to begin! 😂 Packing light, but still functional is huge. We have gotten to the point where we have started buying quality over quantity just because we were getting tired of clothes wearing out. For rain shoes, we swear by our Chaco and Teva sandals!

[dawnturpin]

Capsule wardrobes are so intriguing. I'm slowly working towards adult Garanimals goals, but it's going to take a while.

[micheleemmerich]

Enjoyed this video, but I enjoy all your videos. I have been wear meniro wool for awhile now. I never heard about not wearing deodorant with aluminum in before, so thanks. I order and use a detergent made especially for merino wool which has made a difference in the peeling that occurs. I have started adding garments made from alpaca fibers. I love them, no stink, much softer and the sweaters and hoodies are signed by the weavers. I plan on taking both merino wool and alpaca with me when I go to Scotland in August.

[HistoryRepeats]

Oh you will have those merino wool for decades! I’m still wearing my Italian merino wool mock turtle necks I bought at Saks Fifth Ave in 1993!!! Great investment..

[carriel]

1:16 good point. If you can't do Carry On Only, (which I can't due to medications etc...) using these tips can help you pack ONE checked bag really well :)

[Natalie_]

Such a good video! Yes, on trips you want to look cute for photo, but be comfortable for your activities. It can be a challenge.

[lynnmeade]

Great video. My denim jacket, too, has lg inside pocket. I sewed a little Velcro at the top to help keep stuff inside, in case I absentmindedly toss it somewhere.

[bretaskinner]

Thank you for the pictures! It helps visualize the process of mix and match. I agree, a trench coat looks great and more put-together look then say, a hiking jacket. I keep looking, but struggle to fit my XL hourglass shape. Jealous reading all the comments of future trips!

[BadSloucher]

I love that you watched live streams to research how people dress in a destination 😊

[annaburch]

I'm watching this going, "wow! Her style is so similar to mine - down to the striped light sweater, even"! Lol! I don't own a denim jacket, but I've been considering getting one. I'm a cardigan girl. Still considering the Cariumas. I have Taos sneakers that are almost identical, but I need a new pair - mine have been well travelled. 😉 Great video. Thank you!!

[danielpearson]

Must pack light as most foreign airlines especially flying to Asia weight is limited to 7kg or 15 lbs for carry-on. If you pack everything you can get in you will be overweight bag. I travel solo and carry-on and large male, 182cm tall and 98kg. I dress casually.