Packing tips and trends for 2023

Recently I decided to pack light going forward on travel this year. I don't often wear all the items I take along for trips and wanted the mental clarity of minimalism. So for upcoming travel I decided to use just a carry-on for my trips. I love the Monos brand "Carry on plus" and my beloved duffel bag. So these will be my go to choice. Not only is this brand sustainably made, it was created by travelers for travelers and every well planned detail, zipper or bag stands out.

I am only away for a week usually, so really, there is no reason I can't fit it all in these two easy-to-manage bags. Scaling down to just the essentials hasn't come naturally, to be completely honest, I have not always been a light packer. In fact, I've been known to pack way more than necessary for just about every trip I've ever taken. Including shoes and kids items to have "just in case"!

In packing my carry on, I don't really have to sacrifice the amount of clothes I want to take. I won't have to mix and match outfits. Instead, I just am learning how to pack more efficiently. And those are the tips I'm sharing with you today. The best way to prevent creases and make the most of your space is to use the roll method. Lay tops facedown, fold in the sleeves and roll from the bottom up. For pants, put the legs together and roll from the waist down. Keep weightier things like shoes and books by the wheeled bottom end of your suitcase. This placement helps your bag stay stable when upright, and stops other items from getting wrinkled. Monos offers fantastic packing cubes as well that help keep you organized.

Also plan your outfit and put what you will wear first upon arriving into your suitcase last. That way, when you arrive, you won’t have to dig through everything else to find it.

Eco tip bring your own resuable cup/bottle

In many countries around the world they don’t have a means of recycling coffee cups and plastic bottles, let alone plastic in general. Tourism is a major trash generator for local communities.

To try and address this problem I currently using sustainable water bottles which double as travel coffee mugs.

Travel size and samples are EVERYTHING.

Scour the travel section at local stores and Sephora. There is a whole lot of perfection going on in there. I can even use tiny wet brush for me and the kids. When I travel, I always use baby powder as my dry shampoo because a little of this goes further than dry shampoo and it's a smaller package. I always hang on to free samples from a makeup counter or little packets that I've received free with a purchase. Sephora offers luxury samples with each order. I also hang on to nicer hotel toiletries and reuse them for my next travels. Most of them are really nice!

*Side note- remember that many hotels these days have updated toiletries and you can call ahead and ask what brand it is so you don't miss out on using those! They even have extra items you might not expect like socks and even medicine such as tylenol.

Packing cubes are a game changer

Seems simple (or maybe not needed?), Yet packing these smart cubes really make a difference in suitcase organization. Inside, here's the game changer... they have a double sipper that shrinks them down even smaller after you gill them. In one I put all daytime outfits. In one monos cube, I put all nighttime outfits. In one cube I put sleepwear and yoga clothes or individual outfits for my son who's got the smallest clothing. I tend to use the smallest one for my undergarments.

Keep important medication in your purse.

Even if you plan to carry on your bag, there's still a risk you could have to check it at the gate. If your meds are in your purse, you’ll have what you need even if the overhead bin space fills up and you end up having to check your bag. I always keep my prescription migraine medication on hand and travel stress and pressure changes are usually what make me reach for it. Also depending on where you are going they might not have your go to kids medicine and its smart to pack new sealed bottles in your checked luggage with a thermometer for any possible fevers. I always 'plan for the worst and hope for the best'

Bring a scarf or wrap and socks for the plane in your carry-on.

No matter what season it is, planes are often on the chilly side. Bring a pretty, warm wrap that you can bundle up in if the temp doesn’t feel comfortable.

Bonus: You can also fold it and use it as a pillow and the kids might need it.

Smart packing and planning helps prevent me from feeling like this was one of those vacations where I actually need "a vacation from my vacation". (Know how that always tends to happen?) I keep a master list in my purse and we keep one designated carry on with an entire outfit change for each person traveling. With all the small basic toiletries just in case our suitcases are delayed or get lost. This is so helpful also when driving to see family so that we don't need each individual suitcase brought into our overnight stops.

What are your top travel tips? Travel with Kids? Top sustainable travel tips? Follow me on Instagram for more of my lifestyle photos with my Monos luggage and save on your order with my code; MEGSCOASTALLIFE

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