6 Habits To Instantly Stop Overpacking Your Luggage

Tell me if this sounds familiar: You’re packing for a trip. You start out strong and feel like you’re really nailing how to pack light.

But somehow, by the end, you’ve convinced yourself you need a backup outfit for your backup outfit.

I’ve done it too—packed like I was prepping for a fashion shoot, then wore the same leggings three days straight.

Overpacking doesn’t come from being unorganized—it comes from second-guessing, what-ifs, and a little vacation fantasy.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

I’ve developed 6 habits that will help you stop overpacking for good—and one of them takes just three seconds.

(scroll to the end for the list of items showcased in the video)

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HABIT 1 – The Outfit Test

Here’s the rule—every top should go with every bottom. No exceptions. If it doesn’t mix and match seamlessly, it doesn’t make the cut. You’re not packing pieces—you’re packing a system.

A capsule wardrobe.

This approach makes packing way easier and way more efficient. It means less overthinking, fewer outfit fails, and more space in your bag.

I like to think of my suitcase as a little wardrobe machine.

Everything inside it has to work together.

Six tops and four bottoms doesn’t give you ten outfits—it gives you twenty-four.

And if you throw in a couple of layers, the combinations multiply fast.

How to Easily Choose Your Clothes

And if the idea of building a capsule wardrobe sounds intimidating, it’s not.

You can literally ask ChatGPT to help you plan it. For example, you could type:

“I’m going to Italy in May. Help me build a neutral-toned travel capsule wardrobe with 6 tops, 4 bottoms, and 2 layering pieces.”
“Create 14 mix-and-match outfits using 9 clothing items for a spring trip to Europe.”
“Give me a travel capsule wardrobe using black, beige, white, and olive as the color palette. I want to be able to make at least 12 outfits.”

You can tailor the prompts to your trip length, destination, or personal style—and get a full packing list plus outfit combos that actually make sense.

If you need help packing lighter, check out this post with 54 ChatGPT prompts for building your travel capsule wardrobe.

This habit alone will cut your packing stress in half.

When every piece plays nicely with the others, you pack less but wear more.

And if you don’t believe me, this is where it gets fun—because I’m going to show you exactly how to pack for a full week in just one personal item bag.

Because people are always saying there’s never any room for shoes. Or souvenirs. Or that you have to check a bag if you’re going away for more than a few days.

So I thought—let’s test that. Let’s go extreme.

What happens when you commit to the essentials, identify your priorities, and use the right bag for the job?

Let’s Fit 30+ Outfits Into One Bag

To demonstrate, I’ll be using the Bento Bag by Nomad Lane.

It’s personal item size, but perfectly designed for capsule-style packing. It opens like a suitcase, so everything’s easy to see and access.

So what can you actually pack in here?

For a 7-day trip, here’s one example using just 9 clothing items:

3 tops: a striped tee, a neutral t-shirt, and a green one
3 bottoms: black chinos, beige chinos, and jeans
And 3 layers: a grey cardigan, a black cardigan, and a lightweight button-down shirt

All of these pieces mix and match—and ChatGPT told me this could technically make 36 outfit combinations.

Plus, This wardrobe is totally unisex and easy to adapt to your personal style, color palette, or destination.

I’ll wear the jeans on the plane, which frees up even more room. I could even add an extra top or wear a jacket.

Inside the built-in toiletry pouch, I tuck away my liquids and then my cords and tech things in that dedicated pouch.

My flight essentials all go in the front compartment for easy access.

Which then still leaves space left for pajamas, a hair tool, a book or Kindle, and even one pair of shoes.

This is going to be different for everyone. But as you can see, there’s space to play around depending what you need.

Now here’s the best part:

You can stop right there and take this as your only bag if you want to go fully carry-on free.

But if you’re not quite ready for that—or you’re someone who always struggles with shoes or or needing room for souvenir space—this is where the magic happens.

Because by putting all your essentials into a personal item, you’ve just unlocked an entire carry-on that’s now completely free.

You can dedicate it to shoes. Or fill it with souvenirs. Or just enjoy how weirdly satisfying it is to have space.

That’s the power of intentional packing. And that’s why I love this bag.

HABIT 2 – Rewear Mindset

We need to talk about outfit repeating.

Somewhere along the way, we decided that every single photo on a trip had to feature a new look. In reality?

Most people don’t notice—or care—if you wear the same outfit twice.

And look, I love a good outfit as much as the next person—but let’s be real.

Most people don’t notice if you wear the same thing twice.

Or three times.

Especially if you switch up your accessories or layer it differently.

I’ve worn the same black pants on the flight there and back, and guess what? No one gave me a trophy. But also—no one noticed.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to “have options,” when in reality, you’re the one who ends up dragging those options around from city to city.

And at the end of the day, the goal is to enjoy your trip—not to host a fashion show for strangers.

What actually matters is that you feel good and comfortable in what you’re wearing.

Clothes that fit well, that feel like you, that don’t make you fidget or second-guess every photo—those are the ones worth bringing.

Here’s another bonus way to build your travel wardrobe – think about one or two pieces of clothing you always, no matter where you’re going.

Chances are you have something that’s comfy, reliable, and just feels like you.

Take that as your starter piece, and build your remaining pieces around it.

The more you allow yourself to repeat outfits, the more space you free up for things you actually need—or better yet, you just pack less.

HABIT 3: My One-Bag Rule

This is exactly what it sounds like:

I give myself one bag—and one bag only. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t come.

It’s a hard limit, but it works.

Because when you set a physical boundary, it forces you to be intentional. You stop thinking in options and start thinking in essentials.

HABIT 4: The 3-Second Outfit Test

This one is fast and brutal.

Every time you pick up something to pack, ask yourself:

Would I wear this tomorrow if I had to? Not on some fantasy vacation where you become the type of person who loves halter tops and white jeans.

No. Tomorrow.

As in, regular you. In your real, current body. With your real preferences and real comfort levels.

Now here’s the catch—you only get three seconds to answer.

If it’s not an instant, gut-level yes?

It’s a no. That hesitation you feel?

That little pause where you start justifying it with “Well maybe if we go to that rooftop bar…”—that’s your answer.

Leave it. Your suitcase is not a place for maybes. It’s for tried-and-true, guaranteed-to-wear pieces.

HABIT 5 – Subtract by One

This is a simple one, but it works.

Right when you think you’re done packing… you’re not.

Remove one more item. Just one. Doesn’t matter what.

If it’s in your “maybe” category, it’s a solid candidate.

But even something you think you’ll wear is fair game. Force yourself to choose one item.

Every trip, I pull out one last thing before I zip up my bag. And here’s the wild part—I’ve never once missed it.

Not once.

And in most cases, I get to my destination, and I realize I could’ve packed even less. And I know a lot of you have felt this.

This habit keeps you honest. It forces you to make one final decision and trust yourself that you’ll be fine without it.

And spoiler alert: you will be.

HABIT 6 – The “What If?” Filter

Let’s talk about the voice in your head. You know the one.

It starts whispering things like, “What if it rains?” or “What if you go somewhere fancy?” or “What if your feet swell up from walking too much?”

Suddenly, your bag is full of emergency heels, an umbrella the size of a small satellite dish, and three different types of socks—just in case.

I call that your “What If?” Voice. And it is not invited into your suitcase.

Here’s how to shut it down.

Every time a “what if” item comes to mind, ask yourself: Is there something I’m already packing that could work instead?

Maybe you’re worried about rain. Are you already bringing a light jacket? If so, chances are your hotel or Airbnb has umbrellas to borrow, or you can buy one.

Or let’s say you’re thinking of bringing heels for a fancy dinner… that you might have.

Do your sandals or flats dress up enough with the right outfit?

Think about adding small accessories to help dress up an outfit instead of a pair of shoes.

Another question I ask is: Is this a likely scenario, or am I just spiraling?

Because most of the time, the things we pack for aren’t even on the itinerary.

They’re imaginary emergencies we’ve invented based on anxiety or habit.

And remember—real people live at your destination.

If you truly need something unexpected, odds are you can buy it there.

Travel anxiety makes us think we have to be prepared for everything, but trust me—you’re allowed to be resourceful.