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How to Pack Smart for International Travel (Without Overpacking)
- Anne Marie aka Baldgirlwilltravel
- 2 minutes ago
- 9 min read
August 2026 officially kicks off my fall travel season, and if you've been following me for a while, you already know this is one of my favorite times of the year.
First, I'm heading to Las Vegas to celebrate my birthday. Then it's off to London for one of my bucket-list experiences—Notting Hill Carnival—plus a chance to revisit some of my favorite places in Britain. From there I'll continue on to Scotland, splitting my time between Edinburgh and Glasgow, before meeting up with an incredible group of women in Ireland for ten unforgettable days exploring Dublin, Galway, and Cork.
And just when you think that's enough... I'll be heading to Japan for a trip I've been dreaming about for years.
Needless to say... Packing has become an event. This year I'm actually doing something I almost never do. I'm checking a suitcase.
I know.
The president of Team Carry-On is voluntarily checking luggage. Don't worry—I haven't abandoned my principles. There's actually a strategy behind it.
Because here's the thing... Packing smart isn't about bringing less. It's about bringing the right things.
Even with a checked bag, I'm still packing intentionally because every destination has different needs. London, Scotland, and Ireland will require clothing that works for both late summer and early fall.
Japan will be completely different.
And yes...
I'm flying to Japan with only a carry-on and an empty suitcase because...
Let's be honest.
Do we really believe I'm coming home from Japan without shopping?
Absolutely not.
So let's talk about how to pack smart for international travel—without packing your entire closet.
Stop Packing for "What If"
This is probably the biggest mistake I see people make.
"What if we go somewhere fancy?"
"What if it gets cold?"
"What if I decide I want another outfit?"
"What if..."
Those "what ifs" quickly become six extra pairs of shoes and twelve outfits you'll never wear. Instead, pack for your itinerary—not your imagination. If your schedule says museum, food tour, walking around the city, and one nice dinner... That's what you pack for. Not a hypothetical yacht party that doesn't exist.
Start With Your Itinerary
Before a single item goes into my suitcase, I already know where I'm going every day.
For this trip I know:
Walking around London
Notting Hill Carnival
Exploring Edinburgh
A Highlands excursion
Evenings out in Glasgow
Meeting the ladies in Ireland
Sightseeing throughout Japan
Plenty of shopping
Each activity tells me exactly what clothing I actually need.
Your itinerary should dictate your wardrobe.
Not Pinterest.
Choose One Color Story
This is one of my favorite packing tricks. Pick two or three colors and build around them.
For me, black, brown or navy blue is almost always one of the foundation colors.
Then I'll add a few accent color (I love red) and accessories that completely change the look. One pair of black trousers can become three completely different outfits simply by changing the top, jewelry, and shoes.
The fewer colors you bring... The more outfits you create.
Shoes Deserve Their Own Strategy
If you've followed me for any length of time, you already know one thing about me...
I love shoes.
So let's get something out of the way right now.
I'm never going to tell you that you should travel internationally with one pair of shoes.
That's just not realistic for the way I travel. That said, my shoe strategy depends entirely on how I'm traveling.
When I'm Team Carry-On, I'm much more disciplined because every inch of space matters. Spring and summer trips are usually the easiest because shoes are lighter, and I don't need bulky outerwear competing for suitcase space.
Fall and winter trips are a different story.
For my upcoming trip through England, Scotland, and Ireland, I'm traveling through three countries during that transition between summer and fall. I know I'll be walking for miles, spending time outdoors, heading into the Scottish Highlands, enjoying evenings out, and dealing with weather that can change several times in a single day.
For this trip, my shoe lineup will probably look something like this:
A comfortable sneaker for sightseeing and travel days.
A tall boot for cooler weather and outfits.
An ankle hiking boot for outdoor excursions and long walking days.
An ankle sock bootie for evenings out when it's too cool for a ballet flat but not cold enough for a tall boot.
My Tabi ballet flats for dinners and milder evenings.
Some people might look at that list and think five pairs of shoes is excessive.
I don't.
I'm checking a suitcase on this trip, so I have the flexibility to pack for the itinerary I've planned instead of trying to force every occasion into one or two pairs of shoes.
That doesn't mean I've abandoned intentional packing.
Far from it.
I'm also packing a raincoat, a statement overcoat, and a leather jacket, so I'm still making thoughtful decisions about every inch of suitcase space. Every item has a purpose, and every pair of shoes has a specific job to do.
That's really the difference between packing intentionally and overpacking.
Overpacking is throwing things into your suitcase "just in case."
Packing intentionally is knowing exactly why every item is coming with you.
So when people ask me how many pairs of shoes they should pack, my answer is always the same:
Pack the shoes your itinerary requires—not the number someone on the internet tells you is acceptable.
Layer Instead of Packing Heavy
This is especially important for trips like mine this month.
London.
Scotland.
Ireland.
The weather can change before you've even finished your coffee.
Instead of packing bulky sweaters and heavy jackets, I build layers.
A lightweight base.
A cardigan or sweater.
A packable rain jacket.
A scarf.
Layering gives you flexibility without filling your suitcase with clothing you'll only wear once.
Wear Your Bulkiest Items on the Plane
This is an old trick, but it still works.
If I'm bringing sneakers, a jacket, or heavier jeans...
I'm wearing them.
Not packing them.
Your suitcase immediately gets lighter, and you have those items if the airplane gets cold.
Build a Travel Wardrobe, Not a Stack of Outfits
One of the biggest changes I've made over the years is that I no longer pack individual outfits. I pack a travel wardrobe. There's a difference.
Instead of asking myself, "What am I wearing on Tuesday?" I ask myself, "Can these pieces work together in multiple ways?"
For example, if I'm taking a great pair of black trousers, they need to work with several tops. If I'm packing a leather jacket, it should complement almost everything in my suitcase. The same goes for shoes. I don't pack shoes to match one outfit.
I pack shoes that work with multiple outfits and multiple occasions. When I packed for this upcoming UK/Scotland/Ireland trip, I wasn't thinking about twenty different looks. I was thinking about building a wardrobe that could take me from wandering the summer streets of London to dinner in Edinburgh, from exploring the Highlands to meeting up with the ladies in Ireland. I also know I'll be taking hundreds of photos.
I don't want every picture to look exactly the same, but I also don't need twenty completely different outfits to accomplish that. By choosing pieces that coordinate with one another, I can create a variety of looks without hauling half my closet across the Atlantic. That's what intentional packing looks like to me.
Not fewer clothes. Smarter choices.
Laundry Is Not the Enemy
Some travelers act like doing laundry on vacation is a crime.
It isn't. Many hotels offer laundry service. There are laundromats everywhere.
Some vacation rentals have washers. Even washing a few basics in the sink can extend your wardrobe significantly. One load of laundry can eliminate half the clothing you thought you needed to pack.
Leave Room for the Journey Home
This is one lesson I learned the hard way. If your suitcase is already packed to capacity before you leave... Where exactly are your souvenirs supposed to go?
For Japan, I'm solving that problem before I even arrive. I'll be traveling with my carry-on......and an empty checked suitcase.
Because vintage shopping, beauty products, stationery, kitchenware, and all the wonderfully random things I absolutely do not need—but will almost certainly buy—deserve a safe trip home.
Sometimes packing smart isn't about fitting more into your suitcase.
Sometimes it's about intentionally leaving space.
My Non-Negotiable Travel Essentials
No matter where I'm traveling, there are a few things that make it into my luggage every single time. These aren't luxury items—they're the things that make my trips smoother, more comfortable, and a lot less stressful.
I never travel internationally without:
Compression packing cubes to keep everything organized and maximize suitcase space.
A universal travel adapter and voltage converter so I can charge my electronics no matter where I am in the world.
A compact extension cord because hotel rooms never seem to have enough conveniently located outlets.
Compression socks for long-haul flights to help reduce swelling and keep my legs comfortable.
My iPad, which has become my go-to travel companion for reading, watching movies, planning my days, and getting work done while I'm on the road.
A power bank because a dead phone is the last thing I want when I'm navigating a new city.
Travel chargers and charging cables for all of my devices.
My bathroom emergency kit, which has saved me more times than I can count. If you haven't seen my YouTube video about what's inside, definitely check it out! HERE
A handheld fan because this menopausal woman is not about to be caught overheating while sightseeing.
Noise-canceling headphones, which are worth every penny on long flights, train rides, and in noisy airports.
None of these items take up a tremendous amount of space, but together they make traveling infinitely more comfortable. To me, packing intentionally isn't just about clothing and shoes.
It's also about bringing the small things that eliminate stress, solve problems before they happen, and help me enjoy the journey instead of constantly wishing I'd packed something I left behind.
My Biggest Packing Rule
Whether I'm traveling with only a carry-on or checking a bag... I ask myself one question.
"Will I realistically wear this?"
Not might.
Not maybe.
Not if I suddenly become a completely different person on vacation.
Will I actually wear it?
If the answer isn't an immediate yes... It stays home.
Simple.
Final Thoughts
One of the reasons I love traveling so much is that every trip teaches me something new.
This late summer and fall's adventure will require me to pack for multiple countries, changing weather, city sightseeing, group travel, shopping, and one long-awaited bucket-list destination.
That's exactly why I'm being intentional.
Packing smart isn't about proving you can travel with the smallest suitcase.
It isn't about checking a bag versus carrying one on.
It's about making thoughtful decisions before you leave home so you can spend less time worrying about your luggage and more time enjoying the experiences you've worked so hard to create.
Now if you'll excuse me...
I have a birthday to celebrate in Las Vegas, Carnival to dance at in London, castles to explore in Scotland, wonderful women to laugh with in Ireland... and an empty suitcase waiting patiently for everything I'm bringing home from Japan.
Because let's be honest...
We all knew that suitcase wasn't coming home empty.
Shop My Favorite Travel Packing Essentials
If you're getting ready for your own international adventure, I've rounded up many of the travel essentials I personally use to stay organized on the road—from packing cubes and luggage trackers to travel accessories that make long-haul trips so much easier.
You can shop my favorite travel packing and organization essentials here:
Travel Packing & Organization Essentials: https://liketk.it/5q6uk
Here's to packing smarter, stressing less, and making room for unforgettable adventures.
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