Husband N., baby e., and I are embarking on a two week, two-part holiday travel extravaganza. We’ll be leaving the chilly Midwest for 6 days in Texas and then 8 more in Hawaii. My husband, who has great faith in my packing abilities, asked if we could possibly make this trip without checking any luggage. My initial response was shock and horror, followed closely by curiosity. After all, if S. could pack for an entire year and 4 seasons in two suitcases, then shouldn’t I be able to pack for 14 days and 3 climates in a carry on?
Click through the jump for a run-down of my packing list and to join in on an outfit-making challenge.
The Parameters:
Don’t worry, I’m planning on doing laundry during each leg of the trip.
I need:
- 1 warm enough outfit to wear to the airport in 30 degree Midwest weather
- 5 outfits for the upper 50 degree weather of Texas
- 1 traveling outfit that can make the transition from Texas to Hawaii
- 7 outfits for the lower 80 degree weather of Hawaii
- 1 evening date outfit for Hawaii
- 1 traveling outfit that can make the transition from Hawaii to the Midwest
The Numbers:
Tops (violet, teal, blue, green, mustard, black):
Camisoles (white, gray, and black):
Cardigans (yellow, gray, and cream):
Bottoms (jeans, cream skirt, denim skirt, navy shorts):
Key Accessories (belt, pashmina, wooden hoop earrings, gold shell earrings, orange bauble necklace, wooden bead necklace, orange scarf):
The Challenge:
Here’s what I’m planning to wear to the airport on Thursday:
7+11+12+13+18
Got that? (A white cami, gray cardigan over the cream cardigan, jeans, and a pashmina.)
I’ve planned several other outfits mentally already, but I’m hopeful that this selection of basics will also give me the flexibility to create some looks on the fly as well. (I recognize, of course, that I haven’t included shoes here, an omission that’s partly due to my desire to figure out what combinations are possible before I make any firm decisions on what footwear will be accompanying me.)
What would you do? Give me some numbered combinations to fit any of the scenarios outlined in the “Parameters” section.
Your packing is an inspiration! Here are some thoughts:
Date: 3+14+18+23
Casual Hawaii: 15+4+22 and 15+2+21
I love seeing these challenges…it’s really inspiring. Here are some of my thoughts:
Midwest: 8+2+6+10++13+18
Texas to Hawaii: 3+11+14+21
I’d suggest wearing some brown high boots on the plane. These could go with a lot of things, and wearing them means they aren’t taking up packing space. They also go with my following Texas suggestions:
5+8+11+13+21 (I love yellow & gray together)
6+16+17+19 and maybe 23 (hard to see the neckline on the black top). Any of the cardies could top this if needed.
Travel from Texas to Hawaii:
7+2+12+14. Wear the boots with tights to the airport and change into sandals and take off the cardie as soon as you arrive. I don’t like wearing accessories on planes, but you could put on 17 and 22 once you get to Hawaii for a cute, cool outfit.
One more idea.. try to squeeze in the black crop pants you wore in yesterday’s post. They can be tucked into boots in colder climate or worn with sandals in HA and they go with tons of stuff!!
I am SUPER impressed.
You are my hero! I just packed an enormous roller duffel for a trip of the same length. You’re inspiration to pack better next time!
I travel today! and you give me more ideas about combinations… I did my package but I can change 2 or 3 clothes to make more combinations!
Thanks
This is fun!
Texas:
4+16+17+19
Airport leaving Midwest:
3+11+13+18
Hawaii:
5+7+21+22
Thanks for showing us your plans!
5+14+21+22 for Texas. I’ve been wearing skirts here the past few days and have been plenty warm. But if you need a little more layering then you could add a tank and/or a cardi.
I envy your ability to plan!
Don’t forget pj’s and shoes! :)
Thank you for posting this–it is so hard to know how to pack, and I love that you are spelling it right out. I hope you post daily so we can see all of your combinations! have a great trip!
I love it when you guys write packing posts. I like referring back to them when I plan for trips.
Here’s one of my ideas:
Evening date for Hawaii: 4 + 14 + + 17 + 22
Green blouse, cream skirt, brown belt, orange necklace for a pop of color.
I agree, this is fun! Here are some ideas:
4+9+12+14+20
2+10+14+20+21(as belt)
3+10+11+14+17+18+19
2+10+13 or 16 +22
3+15+20+21(as belt)
Oh your trip sounds wonderful! Have a great time!
This is awesome! I love the versatility of all the items you chose.
I’ve been using this one bag site to inspire me to pack lighter. I haven’t quite perfected the art of flying carry-on yet, but I’m getting there: http://www.onebag.com/
Wow is all I can say…I’m going on a business trip for a week and sort of freaking out…good job!
WOW, the formulas are pretty awesome!
I admire you. I don’t know if I’ve ever packed for a whole trip in only a carry-on. Although it isn’t really about the clothes, I HATE re-packaging my toiletries.
I’m curious how you are not checking anything for baby e…will you buy diapers on arrival? Or do all his clothes and diapers fit in a carry-on? What is your secret? :-)
Also, are you going to have them hold his carseat in the front of the plane for you to pick up as soon as you land? I’ve done that before by using the stroller with the carseat snapped in…they just fold it down once you board and have it ready for you on arrival.
Sorry I have no outfit suggestions…I’m very impressed by your method, however. :-)
Have you heard about babiestravellite.com?
You can have diapers, wipes, shampoo, etc all sent ahead to your destination so that you don’t have to carry all that on the plane, nor spend valuable time shopping for these items at your arrival destination.
We did this when we went on an Alaskan cruise–I was worried about bringing enough diapers, for example, for my twin 1.5 year old daughters.
Consider also getting a porter when you are at each airport. Having a few extra hands makes all the difference.
Just a few travel thoughts.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions!
@Sally S. and spacegeek:
We’re taking our carseat (attached to our BOB stroller) and gate checking both items. I’ll have my Moby Wrap stashed in an easily accessible location for the flight if necessary. And, since we’ll be staying with family in both locations, someone will have already bought diapers and wipes for baby e. But, it’s great to know about babiestravellite.com in case I ever need to use that! Traveling with a baby definitely adds a whole new level of “gear management” to the equation! Thankfully, we still have quite a few sample-size products from the hospital (baby shampoo, rash ointment, etc.) that are TSA friendly.
a cold weather snap is predicted for Texas! I live in Dallas and the high temp for the next 7 days is 45. Not usually this cold. Just wanted you to know. LOVE the blog!
This is super impressive.
I’m not sure if the necklines are what they appear, but 1+3 layered together with anyone of your bottoms could make a fun look. It’d be super cute with the blue shorts or denim skirt I think, and perhaps the brown bead necklace.
It’d also be kind of neat to do an all white/cream ensemble (probably in Hawaii for date night) with the skirt, cami, and cardi, using the dark belt and/or jewelry as a contrast.
I’m really excited to see what kind of fun combos you create!
Have a wonderful time.
4+11+13-Texas.
Bring some leggings or tights and tall boots-that will boost the warmth factor for wearing the denim skirt.
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I love your pashmina–the color is perfect. Where is it from?
I just discovered your blog. It’s fabulous!
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My suggestion for an outfit? Since it’s Spring and I’ve been angling for lots of colour lately:
4+7+10+14+21(as a belt)+22
Pretty.
and i think using the packing cubes is a genius idea – i could definitely use some of those for the things that always get lost
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