Help a chronic over-packer pack for a 2-night work trip.

[Anonymous]

I WANT to be minimalist when it comes to packing, but somehow I always end up with a stuffed suitcase full of “just-in-case” items.

I just bought a little half-sized under-the-seat carry-on in hopes of preventing over-packing.

What would you pack for a two-night work trip? Not formal, not giving any presentations. Will be in meetings 1.5 days. Might go out for a nice-ish dinner, but not so nice I need a separate outfit.

[Anonymous]

Well, what would you pack, OP? It’s hard to know what all the extra thing are that you throw in.

I’d pack two outfits for the meeting days. Those would likely be two dresses as I don’t wear separates. I’d probably pack a jacket or a cardigan to wear over the dresses. Pajamas, underwear, Spanx, and two pairs of shoes. Makeup, toiletries, hair brush, hair straightener. I don’t work out so bone or that stuff. I’d wear walking shoes and trousers and a blouse. I guess Hate about it?

[Anonymous]

Start by assembling two work outfits. Let's say one dress/blazer/shoes combination, and one pants/blouse/blazer/shoes combination.

From that, pick one blazer and one pair of shoes that you will wear with jeans and a tee/blouse on your first travel day. Pack the rest of the work outfits.

Then add a pair of sweats and a tee to wear in your hotel room, and one extra clean tee that you can wear travel home if you want to change out of work clothes.

Toiletries and underwear. Charger, laptop, water bottle.

[Anonymous]

You get on the plane in your casual slacks, blouse and blazer that goes with your work outfit. Wear your comfortable shoes. In the bag you put one pair of black work pants, another blouse, and a packable dress. One pair of black dressier shoes. Underwear, pajamas, shirt to come home on the plane in, and extra socks. Toiletries and makeup. Done.

[Anonymous]

I just overpack. Get a smallish suitcase with wheels and check it. I gave up denying my true nature! I never regret it. Just a moment of pain hoisting it into the taxi, then sweet comfort of all the underwear I could possibly need and clean PJs every night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just overpack. Get a smallish suitcase with wheels and check it. I gave up denying my true nature! I never regret it. Just a moment of pain hoisting it into the taxi, then sweet comfort of all the underwear I could possibly need and clean PJs every night.

Yup, I just own it. I do like to be able to run anywhere, so the extra workout stuff always puts me over.

[Anonymous]

One pair of black slacks. Two tops plus one blazer. One pair of work shoes plus a pair of comfier flats. Comfy outfit to fly in (optional). One pair of PJs.

[Anonymous]

Comfortable flying outfit incl comfy shoes. 2 sheath dresses, one blazer. One backup comfortable outfit that is pants and a top you could wear to work (in a pinch) or out for dinner. One pair shoes that will go with all the work outfits. Wear the same comfortable flying outfit home or mix and match with the backup outfit. Underwear, pjs, toiletries.

[Anonymous]

Two nights in a carryon bag is more than workable! Choose two outfits you need for the meetings so you can wear the same shoes. Simplify to a dress if you want to avoid separates or arrange separates that they can be mixed and matched if an event crops up that you need to change. Look for things that fold well. Two nights means one nightshirt and small amounts of toiletries, not big bottles or a million makeup items. Think basic! One pair of casual pants and two tops that match. One pair of casual shoes you wear on the plane. One packable jacket.

[Anonymous]

Unless your work trip is in the sub saharan desert, dont sweat it. Surely you can just buy whatever you forgot when you get there -gricery stires, cvs, target, Wal-Mart are all ubiquitous.

It's seems logical to most, but a lot if people don't check the weather at their destination. That helps with avoiding over packing.

Plus, it's a super short work trip -2 days?