We have all been there. You are staring at your open suitcase, trying to decide if you really need four different jackets for a tropical vacation. (Spoiler: you don’t). Overpacking is usually a symptom of not having a plan. We pack out of fear—”What if it rains? What if we go somewhere fancy? What if I spill coffee on my favorite shirt?”
What if I told you that you could pack for a 10-day trip using just a carry-on, look stylish every single day, and still have room for souvenirs?
For our Soul Sisters trips, I always encourage sticking to one carry-on and a backpack. It gives you freedom, it saves you time at the airport, and honestly? It lifts a huge mental weight off your shoulders. Whether you’re going for two days or two weeks, this guide will help you resist the urge to add in those random outfits at the last minute.
It comes down to creating a Capsule Vacation Wardrobe. I recently used this exact method for a 10-day trip to Bali, and it changed the way I travel forever. Here is the 4-step framework I use—and if you want to see exactly how I styled every piece, you can download my free guide at the bottom of this post!
Step 1: Pick a Color Theme & Style
The biggest mistake travelers make is packing individual outfits that don’t mix and match. To maximize your options, you need a cohesive color palette.
Once you pick a color scheme, you have almost unlimited outfit options. Meaning you can mix and match on the fly and don’t have to worry about that particular top not going with your jacket. Or your shirt doesn’t match your shoes. Pick a style, pick a color theme. Done.
For my Bali trip, I stuck with jewel tones and island vibes. This helped me narrow down my list of options when it came to packing and gave me a lot of flexibility when it came to in the moment wardrobe changes.
Step 2: Let the Itinerary Dictate the Clothes
Before you put a single item in your bag, look at your itinerary. You need to be realistic about the weather and activities. For example, my Bali itinerary included a cooking class in Ubud, snorkeling in Nusa Dua, and a visit to the pink sand beaches of Komodo Island.
The last thing you want to do is pack for vibes, not reality.
Make sure the clothing options (and shoes) you pack are appropriate for the activity.
Step 3: The Magic Numbers (5-4-3-3-2)
This is the secret sauce. To get through a 10-day trip without checking a bag, I stick to a strict item count that maximizes mix-and-match potential. Here is my formula:
- 5 Tops
- 4 Bottoms
- 3 Layers (like a cardigan or light jacket)
- 3 Shoes
- 2 Swimsuits (or whatever special occasion outfit fits your location)
By coordinating these pieces within your color theme, you can create over 20 unique outfits from just these few items!
Don’t underestimate the power of LIGHT layers. Avoid too many bulky fabrics because they take up space! If you’re traveling somewhere very cold try to wear your bulky items on the plane.
Step 4: The “Day-by-Day” Match Up
The final step is that I try to plan what I am actually wearing for each day. I often stray from this plan, but it’s SO nice sometimes to not have to guess what I’m wearing that day. Planning for each day also ensures you’re not underprepared for the event. To me, there is no worse feeling than not having an appropriate dress for that fancy group dinner or being uncomfortably hot on the walking food tour because, for some insane reason, I forgot shorts!
Meaningful planning means you wake up every morning of your trip knowing exactly what to wear.
📥 Free Download: The Ultimate Capsule Wardrobe Guide
Want to see this method in action? I’ve put together a free drag-and-drop template in Canva that breaks down my exact process for planning the perfect wardrobe in one carry-on.
