How to Pack Light for 1 Week or 1 Year

Whether you’re an experienced traveler looking for a packing refresh or a new traveler trying to pack perfectly for your dream adventure abroad, watch this video to learn everything you need to know about how to pack light!

It covers everything! Packing, clothing, and all the how-to’s in a digestible, simplified way and can eliminate much of the stress associated with packing.

I provided my complete step-by-step process plus a packing demo featuring 2 capsule wardrobes: one in a size 3XL and one in a size S. Not only were these two capsules for a carry-on suitcase, they also featured clothing based on a cold weather and mixed weather trip.

The information from my video will honestly be one of the best ways to get a real life view on how exactly you can pack light and be prepared for everything, too.

I'm happy to help answer any of your packing questions in the comments below. Thank you for watching!

Lets Connect!

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[lizitaly]

Such a great presentation! I love the step by step demonstration and included plus sized clothing! So many travel packing videos show sizes XS - M people and I think, “yeah of course THEY can fit their stuff, its much smaller” and this helped me see that these tricks work for bigger sizes too! 😊

[danielalancaster]

Thank you for including large size clothing❤ it’s so easy to pack when one is a small size, but even a 2XL bathing suit size is very bulky.

[mjbalmmac]

Nice to see you back. I have missed your videos. Hope you are back travelling

[Jablicek]

The thumbnail's right, if you've packed for a week you can last a year - but you're going to get *really* tired of wearing the same thing over and over. Also, if you're travelling long-term then you're going to wear clothes out faster because you're wearing the same thing all the time.

Jeans are heavy, unless you're wearing them while you're travelling from place A to place B - but they are durable.

Most of the serious travellers I've met don't have much of a make-up kit and next to nothing in the way of hair care. You can get your nails done cheaply - but you're just going to break them next time you pick your backpack up, so maybe focus more on keeping them neat rather than polished and decorated. I highly recommend keeping a pair of nail clippers handy!

I still travel with a hard-sided suitcase. It's carry-on size and fits under the seat and during the pandemic when I was stranded in Australia for months longer than I'd meant to be, it held enough - with supplements as things wore out or I thought I'd go absolutely insane if I had to wear *that shirt* again.

In Greece I bought a flat towel that can also be used as a blanket or shawl. Toiletries are kept in a flannel that in a pinch will also work as a towel. Airline disposable slippers are great for a week until they destroy themselves.

If you're in a warm country, hand wash and hang things to dry. It'll save you money and wear your clothes out less. You can wash your underwear in the shower. Use a plastic shopping bag to separate dirty and clean clothes and this will encourage you to wash your clothes more as none of them will pass the shiff test here!

You might be travelling but you still have to prioritise your time, and some of that has to be on self-care, so remember to do that thing!

In any accommodation, check for bedbugs before you put your bags on the bed, otherwise .. well, read about the horror stories.

Bottom bunk > top bunk. Tuck your towel, scarves, shirts under the mattress above to screen yourself off from the rest of the hostel room and give yourself some privacy.

Talk to people. Someone's going to where you've come from, and someone's just come from the place you're going next. Get ideas, ask about culture and food. And, plan. Things can go tits up fast if you don't do the basics, and it's cheaper to book in advance.

Lastly, enjoy your time away!

[loveleadconnect]

We went to Europe for a 3 weeks vacation in Europe and this video was super informative and made a big difference in how my husband and I packed. We both took 1 carryon and 1 backpack. Since then I've been on other trips and we are no longer checking bags. I poured over tens of videos. TFG is a brilliant resource for all kinds of travelling. Another video was My Travel Capsule Wardrobe Essentials - it's easier to take fewer clothes when everything goes with everything. I don't wear black which makes it easy so understanding the idea of a capsule wardrobe was very helpful. THANK YOU!!

[lilym]

You are back yeey!!!! Thank you for your tips, great presentation. I was worry not seen you in here in YT, you know after covid tragedies, but I'm glad you alive and healthy. Great to see you.

[yashicaaheer]

Great presentation! Missed your videos Alex 😊

[Coral_Forever]

I love your asides... referencing how people actually used to talk to eachother ... in 2008. Yeah, not so long ago. But things sure do feel a bit different these days. Love your suggestions! Thanks for sharing what you've learned and discovered.

[jeannettewhitley]

I am so happy to have found another TFG video. I will save it to my playlist unless you have already created one on YouTube

[margaretelliott]

Thank you so much for all your packing expertise!

[colleenlevitan]

Love packing tips. Always looking for the best way to travel light…

[AMichelleMendez]

Great presentation, tips and revelations. You brought to light so many facts people need to hear am a plus size at3-4x and I was so impressed that you a) stated that J. Crew has become more size inclusive. B) to show case and display plus size clothes in a demonstration is AMAZING. Gosh am just so surprised.

[CAH]

Happy to find you, this is the first video that I have seen that I can totally get behind. Thanks.

[bernadettevogel]

Great presentation as always!! Thank you for sharing with us all😊

[chrysvest]

So happy to see a new TFG video! I love this type of presentation.

[sharynwebber]

Thank you Alex! Great tips! Sharyn from Australia. 😀

[karenlangley]

Yeah Alex 🎉. You’re back. Love all your tips. Do you have a link to your packing cubes. They look like the perfect size.

[pennyditchfield]

Great to see you again! Would love to see you do a video showcasing current pieces of travel clothing with links. It seems the JCrew Tippi sweater is no longer available either.

[Grace]

The Angel Orensanz Center NYC is beautiful. I was distracted by the iron grille work of the window behind the stage.

[SH-vccl]

So glad to see you again! Thank you so much for this - especially the size inclusive stuff.