Everything I Packed to Live Out of a Suitcase for a Year

The decision to travel for a year came easily. After sorting out the logistics of subletting my NYC apartment, tossing superfluous possessions in storage, and lining up sufficient freelance remote work, my administrative ducks were in a row. But packing for a year of travel? Easy is not the term I’d employ to describe the endeavor. How does one even go about pulling together a capsule wardrobe for such an extensive amount of time away from home? The very notion seemed humorously ambitious.

The one thing I had going for me was that I orchestrated my travel plans in such a way that I’d circumvent winter all together. My first stop was Los Angeles, onward to Hawaii and New Zealand, a few months in southeast Asia, a pitstop over in India and South Africa, then late spring and early summer in Europe. Evading cold weather meant lighter layers, and thus, lighter luggage. But that still did not resolve the issue of what to pack.

At the behest of my husband, I resisted the urge to bring multiple massive suitcases and settled on one trunk and one carry-on. Unlike him, I do not worship at the altar of minimalism, but a simplified approach turned out to be necessary for maneuvering around airports, train stations, and ferries. Neutral colors and classic silhouettes I wouldn’t tire of formed the basis of my travel uniform—with a couple of dopamine-inducing accessories and statement pieces thrown in for sanity’s sake. I permitted myself a few different handbag and footwear options to adjust to various occasions, all neatly corralled with packing cubes and various organizers.

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The Spacious Suitcase

Tumi 32-inch large rolling trunk

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The Set of Packing Cubes

Calpack packing cube set

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The Wear-Anywhere Pants

Leset Yoshi wide-leg pants

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Nearly one full year and eight countries later, what I’ve learned is that a ruthless packing list is the secret to a trip’s success. If you have everything you need (nothing more, nothing less) assembled in a tidy environment, it leaves more time to be present on your journey. Don’t get me wrong: There were days when I wanted to light my suitcase ablaze and kick it into the river, and others when I was pleased with a polished look I managed to cobble together. But rarely is the outfit the best part of an adventure, anyway.

So, if you’re embarking on a similarly long-haul sojourn, the items below—from luggage necessities to wardrobe heroes—all deserve a spot on your packing list.

My Trip MVPs

The Trunk

Chief among the best packing decisions I made was choosing a travel trunk, instead of just a large checked bag (or two). I’ve always admired this romantic relic from 19th-century steamship or train journeys—but nostalgia for the Golden Age of Travel aside, the elongated shape and deep compartments made living out of my suitcase way less of a headache. My trunk of choice is from Paravel and sadly no longer available, but there are several options on the market, from heritage brands to DTC favorites like Away.

The Packing Cubes (with Labels!)

While the use of packing cubes is by no means revolutionary, one detail that transformed my experience was utilizing labels for each cube. I had different ones designated for undergarments, dresses, activewear, and so on—which made it easy to grab the specific item I was looking for without wrecking the homeostasis of my suitcase.

The Passport Holder

I have never lost my passport before… but I can imagine it isn’t pleasant. To avoid having to track down my nearest embassy, I enlisted a holder to neatly hold my passport, foreign currency, and boarding passes. I used the “Airport Dad” passport case by Clare V. X Jimmy Kimmel, which promptly sold out upon release, but any well-made holder should do the trick.

The Jewelry Case

It’s true what they say about accessories: They can revolutionize a tired wardrobe. Going into this trip, I knew I’d be relying on my earrings and necklaces more than usual, and therefore brought along a larger organizer that kept everything detangled and easy to access.

The Go-With-Everything Tote

When you’re traveling in warm climates and need a bag that can translate to an airplane as easily as it can to evening cocktails, a woven tote is a trusty option. I prefer leather iterations, as they’re more durable; size-wise, I gravitated towards something that could fit my MacBook Air, but wasn’t so large that it felt like a commuter bag.

The Cosmetics Organizer

Coming from someone who doesn’t wear a lot of make-up even I’m surprised to include this one, but my cosmetics organizer was among my most valuable items that I packed. Unlike a simple make-up bag that jumbles everything together, having a case with specific spots for my various brushes and products was a little luxury that went a long way.

The Just-In-Case Sweater

I am a knitwear fanatic, so selecting just one sweater to pack for a year was torture. But this black, oversized cable knit from Soft Goat was a godsend. It was slouchy enough to layer over just about anything, and easy to knot around my shoulders or waist on days when the weather was a little iffy.

The Crisp White Button-Up

I will espouse the joys of a crisp white button-up shirt no matter where in the world I am, but when you’re on the road, a classic piece like this really hits its stride. It’s on regular rotation in my airplane uniform, and is a favorite layer for pairing with silk pajama pants and printed skirts.

The Pull-On Breezy Pants

I somehow only packed one pair of jeans for my entire trip—and it was A-okay! Instead, I relied on breezy linen pants, most of which were designed with a relaxed, pull-on waistline (plus, the lighter material is easier to roll up and pack than rigid denim).

The Throw-On-and-Go Dress

When you’re working with a limited rotation of clothing, it’s important to have staples you can throw on and feel instantly good in—like an effortless dress. I had one custom made when I was in Vietnam (a common practice in the country!) and proceeded to wear it the duration of my trip.

My Surprising Pick-Me-Ups

The Personality Sneakers

I am not one to impulse buy, but a week before I left for my trip I panic-purchased these Toteme sneakers. Thankfully, a year later I can safely say I made the right decision. While a classic Nike or Adidas option is always a fine choice, the suede texture on these sneakers gave them a unique touch that, in turn, had me reaching for them more often.

Dries Van Noten

leather-trimmed suede sneakers

The Full-Size Fragrance

Hear me out: if you are traveling for an extended period of time, bring a full-size fragrance. While mini sizes are smart for shorter getaways, there’s something so indulgent about spritzing on perfume from a larger bottle. Plus, anytime you smell that scent it’ll take you right back to your trip. (Trudon’s Isla will always hold a special place in my heart!)

Trudon

Isla de Oro eau de parfum

The Elegant Dress

I brought along a navy silk kaftan with delicate embroidery that ended up being my go-to any time we had a fancier meal or excursion, which took the stress out of dressing for a formal occasion. You don’t need to pack a plethora of occasion pieces, but one really elegant dress is worth the space in your suitcase.

The Sunglasses

What can make a repeat outfit less banal? A pair of statement sunglasses, that’s what. It’s a small detail, but one that will be in all of your photos taken outdoors during the day, so choose wisely (personally, my preference is for lightly tinted lenses).

The Sleek Flip Flops

The footwear I ended up wearing the most were my simple, fuss-free flip flops. They’re the perfect finish to a slouchy trouser with a pooled hem, and easy to style up or down depending on the occasion.

My Packing Regrets

The Cable Organizer

On more than one occasion, my assorted cords and charging cubes resembled a tangle of noodles at the bottom of my travel bag. Word to the wise: Investing in a tech organizer is investing in your mental health.

The Lightweight Weekender

I bought a leather weekender from Cuyana for the airplane and any quick side trips—but while the bag was beautiful, the weight and size weren’t conducive to my unique circumstances. If you’re traveling for several weeks or months at a time, a smaller and lighter tote or duffel is the safer option for a personal item.

The Suitcase Cover

Unsurprisingly, after a year of luggage carousels, car trunks, and countless wheel mileage, my suitcases are riddled with scratches. If I could go back and do it all over again, I’d get a cover.