How to Effectively Pack a Carry-On Suitcase

Anyone trying to squeeze in another trip before summer ends? I touched down yesterday in Southern California and am excited to relax in some cooler weather. With all my travels, I receive a lot of questions when it comes to packing. Today, I’m sharing how to effectively pack a carry-on suitcase. 

Suitcase c/o // Luggage tag // Leather travel case set c/o // Running shoes // Espadrille wedges // Jean Jacket

My 22″ Titanium carry-on spinner bag is the perfect carry-on suitcase. Once upon a time I traveled to Europe and my dad told me I could only bring along a carry-on suitcase. Well, I managed to accomplish that feat! And since then, I’ve perfected how to effectively pack a carry-on suitcase.

With all the traveling I do, I like the convenience of checking a bag and not having to deal with carryon one on, however sometimes a carry-on is necessary. Plus, you can’t really complain when there’s no need to wait at baggage claim, right?Pick a carry-on suitcase that’s lightweight, yet durable

The Delsey Titanium suitcase family is super light weight and durable. The spinner wheels are super convenient when it comes to rolling the carry-on down the airplane aisle. As a gal on the shorter side, I appreciate a carry-on suitcase that’s light so I can pick it up and put it in the overhead bins without difficulty. Plus the hardshell covering keeps my things protected and safe.

Create a packing list prior to packing and stick to it! 

Before I travel, I always make a list of items I need to bring and what not to forget. I also list out how many days and nights I’ll be gone. I tend to bring a few more bits of the necessities (such as socks or underwear) over other pieces. Once I make my list and begin packing, I try to stick to it as closely as I can. This keeps me from not only overpacking, but also helps me stick to making sure everything fits in my carry-on.

Keep your shoes to a minimum 

Packing everything in a carry-on is difficult in itself, but can be that much more difficult if you aren’t strategic about keeping items that take up the most space at a minimum. For me, shoes take up the most space… and I’m totally guilty of overpacking them. So for me, effectively packing a suitcase means narrowing down my shoes to 2-3 pairs at most. One pair of running shoes, a pair of sandals that can be worn both day and night (when it’s summer or flats when it’s fall/winter) and a pair of wedges that can also be worn in the day or evening. The trick is to pack shoes that can be worn with a variety of outfits, thus keeping space at a minimum. If I’m traveling in the summer, I may just bring a pair of running shoes and my Jack Rogers sandals. Keep a toiletry kit stocked and ready for each trip

I’ve already said this in a previous packing tips post (see here), but keeping a toiletry kit stocked with travel-friendly items that are 3 oz or less (sticking to TSA guidelines), your packing will be so much easier, trust me. I make sure to keep my toiletry kit stocked with a fresh toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor and any other necessities. This kit stays underneath my sink, fully packed so I can just grab it when packing and need not worry about forgetting something.

Now remember, not everyone is created equal, so our packing will not always boil down to the same formula! These are just tips that I’ve honed in on throughout my years of travel and have found to be the most practical. Do you have any tips for effectively packing a carry-on suitcase? Tell me in the comments below!

This post is brought to you in partnership with Delsey. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that help made Adored by Alex possible.