Merino wool is breathable and doesn't hold body sweat as much as some other fabrics. Look up the 100 day dress challenge from one of the brands. They challenge people to wear the same dress 100 days in a row and some of the styling ideas are cute.

I also shower before bed and would probably do one pair of pj's. Silk shorties that can dry quickly if needed. Can wash silk with shampoo.

buy sink suds to rewash.

The tencel pjs pack really small. I still only bring 1 set of a week but I guess you could have 2. Shoes take up a ton of space so if you can limit yourself to 2 shoes that’s ideal. For AA summer trip I do a pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals that are good for walking (I use vionic) but can be worn with a skirt or dress. Here’s about what I packed for a trip to Spain last year, plus bathing suits for beach:
Navy sundress
Black sundress
White gauze short sleeve overshirt
Ligjtwoejg light blue cardigan
Linen tan pants
Black gaucho pants, cotton
Black tank top
Black stretchy jeans and long sleeved shirt for overnight flight
1 pair shorts
White fitted tee
Bright blue dressy sleeveless shirt
Crochet tank top
Lots of underwear
Summer is obviously easier but the key was to have stuff that all worked together and where I could put things together — like the white gauze shirt was great because I could wear it over the sundresses or with the linen pants or tj shorts. Same with the light cardigan.

If the weather will be cold, the clothes will be heavier but you can probably getting away with wearing the same clothes a lot of times. We went to Italy in the spring and it was chilly and I basically wore the same two pairs of pants the whole time with a couple sweaters and a coat. I just had a lot of tee shirts to swap out each day in case I was armpit sweaty from walking.

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PP above - here is the link: https://www.briggs-riley.com/products/compact-carry-on-spinner?variant=39999314657322

It was not quite as pricey as this when I brought it a couple years ago but yes - this is it and let me tell you - everyone needs this. I know it's crazy expensive. I just have to say though that it just seems like every other carry on is the "same" when you consider size and all of them are basically not more unique design wise. The only differentiator is how well it holds up when it's thrown around.

Personally, having a number of "high end" brands, I don't find any of them to be truly that amazing. The Briggs one at least has a value added tangible advantage of packing a ton in it. That has been worth every cent

I like Briggs and Riley also. I’ve been going smaller and lighter with merino wool and quick dry clothing and can travel with just. 30 L backpack these days.

But this would be a great option if I needed items for more than one season eg colder weather, fall,

Has the weight ever become an issue for the volume of clothes you can pack into this suitcase?

I'm the PP above - here is the link: https://www.briggs-riley.com/products/compact-carry-on-spinner?variant=39999314657322

It was not quite as pricey as this when I brought it a couple years ago but yes - this is it and let me tell you - everyone needs this. I know it's crazy expensive. I just have to say though that it just seems like every other carry on is the "same" when you consider size and all of them are basically not more unique design wise. The only differentiator is how well it holds up when it's thrown around.

Personally, having a number of "high end" brands, I don't find any of them to be truly that amazing. The Briggs one at least has a value added tangible advantage of packing a ton in it. That has been worth every cent

Anonymous wrote:You can buy bags that come with a little battery operated vacuum pump to suck the air out to pack more clothing into a small space. We did this to minimize luggage on a family trip and it worked well.

This. Every time I go Europe only a backpack.

I did 3 1/2 weeks to China in a personal item + carry on suitcase as did my 2 teens..

You buy the carry on that can fit the most. It's crazy $$$ but I swear by it: Briggs & Riley - this baby is nuts. It has the compression expansion system - so you fill it up and you stomp on it to compress everything down. I have never had a carry on that can fit as much as this in it.

Bagsmart has a carry on soft gym bag that's just under the 17 in allotment for United. You can fit a ton of stuff in this.

It does help that I'm petite, we went over summer and we needed nothing formal but it is possible in fact to pack 3 1/2 weeks of travel in just these 2 items! Good luck and have fun!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you plan to shower before bed so you’re clean when you put on your pajamas?

This.

I travel with carryon only as well. I make sure I shower each night before bed and my sleepwear is only used for sleeping.

The only hiccup I come across is making sure I have enough underwear. My solution is the exofficio underwear I can sometimes wear more than one day or I can wash in sink.

+1. the ex officio underwear dries super quickly. I've put them on damp in a pinch (washed, rung dry with a towel) and my body heat dries them quickly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you plan to shower before bed so you’re clean when you put on your pajamas?

This.

I travel with carryon only as well. I make sure I shower each night before bed and my sleepwear is only used for sleeping.

The only hiccup I come across is making sure I have enough underwear. My solution is the exofficio underwear I can sometimes wear more than one day or I can wash in sink.

Always thin panty liners help refresh underwear if you have to wear them a second time or extend during a trip.

Anonymous wrote:Can you plan to shower before bed so you’re clean when you put on your pajamas?

This.

I travel with carryon only as well. I make sure I shower each night before bed and my sleepwear is only used for sleeping.

The only hiccup I come across is making sure I have enough underwear. My solution is the exofficio underwear I can sometimes wear more than one day or I can wash in sink.

I’ve struggled with packing cubes myself but I know they work for others. I usually don’t stay in one place.

I’ll pack for a 10-day trip to Alaska with just a carryon and a backpack. I don’t like big luggage. You can do it, OP!

Anonymous wrote:You can buy bags that come with a little battery operated vacuum pump to suck the air out to pack more clothing into a small space. We did this to minimize luggage on a family trip and it worked well.

I think this and compression cubes work well if you are traveling to one location and staying put so you can fully unpack. Its a lot harder if you are moving every couple nights because you constantly need to repack your packing cubes.

We often travel for 1-2 weeks in only carry on. They key is pieces that can easily be mixed and matched, thinner items and items that can easily be washed in a sink and hung to dry. I got a pair of pajamas that are a more moisture wicking/athletic type fabric that will dry quickly if I wash them. I bring a couple of the sheets of laundry detergent which dissolve easily and don't add liquid weight.

Anonymous wrote:I do this all the time. I can travel indefinitely through say 2 seasons in a carryon.

How?

I think it mainly depends on where you’re going and what you’re doing, and will you be staying at a hotel with abundant towels.

If you have a lot of towels, you can bring detergent and wash anything small including cotton or silk pajamas. As long as you roll them in a few towels and step on them, they’ll dry hanging overnight.

I would go for silk pj short sets and wash them.