By: Casey Tibut

Packing for a weekend trip sounds easy, right? Just toss a few things in a bag and go. But somehow, it always turns into a full-scale existential crisis about who you are as a person and how many shoes that person might need.

You tell yourself you’ll keep it minimal this time. Then you blink, and suddenly your suitcase looks like it’s preparing for a three-week sabbatical in Europe. We’ve all been there; it’s the overpacker’s walk of shame.

Here’s the truth: packing well isn’t necessarily about being stylish or strategic. It’s about knowing yourself. And knowing that a large portion of what you usually pack might not get used. So let’s fix that. Let’s build a bag that actually makes sense.

Start With One Outfit You Actually Love

Before you start folding things you might regret later, stop and think. What’s that one outfit that always works? You know the one. It fits right, it feels right, and somehow, you usually get a “you look good” comment when you wear it. That’s your anchor. Start there.

Then build everything else around it. Like a puzzle, but easier.

Pick pieces that can be mixed and matched for different looks. The soft cotton tee you love on lazy Sundays? That’s your layering hero. The jeans that somehow don’t cut off your circulation after dinner? That’s your MVP.

And please, for the love of sanity, leave the “just in case” stuff at home. You’re likely not suddenly going to become someone who wears that random floral wrap dress just because it’s vacation. You know it. I know it. Let it go.

Packing light doesn’t mean boring, though. Bring layers you can mix up: a thin hoodie that works under a jacket, a neutral tank that can work for both your morning coffee run and your evening dinner. It’s less about quantity, more about quality. (And fewer opportunities to regret your reflection halfway through the trip.)

Also, bring one outfit that feels like armor. The one that makes you walk a little taller. Even if it’s just for brunch, you’ll likely thank yourself later.

The Hero Piece: The White Shirt

If your weekend bag had a heartbeat, it would likely be the white shirt. The most unassuming piece in your closet that somehow seems to fix every outfit panic.

It’s the friend who always shows up, even when you text them at the last minute. Crisp, easy, reliable. You can wear it to dinner with your hair slicked back and a glass of wine in hand, or you can wear it half-buttoned while raiding the hotel minibar. It doesn’t judge.

There’s a reason stylists call it “the anchor.” It makes everything else look intentional. Throw it open over a ribbed tank when it’s warm. Tuck it into your jeans when you want structure. Tie it up when you’re feeling like the main character in a coastal film set somewhere vaguely European.

A good one feels soft, breathable, and just broken-in enough to look lived-in but not sloppy. That’s the sweet spot: like the perfect espresso shot or finding a parking space right in front.

You’ll notice something funny when you pack one: suddenly, everything else you brought feels easier to style. It’s like your suitcase calms down a little.

And yes, the right white shirt can do that.

Pro tip: roll it, don’t fold it. Less wrinkling, less heartbreak.

Also, never underestimate its power to make you look “put together” even when you’re running late, slightly hungover, and wondering if dry shampoo counts as a shower. It might, actually.

Denim or Nothing

Let’s be real, jeans are the backbone of humanity at this point. They’ve seen it all. Airports, concerts, breakups, spontaneous road trips where you thought you were taking “the scenic route” but really just got lost.

When you’re packing for a weekend away, pick one pair that can handle almost anything. Mid-wash denim, straight leg, nothing too trendy. You want something that looks as good with sneakers as it does with ankle boots.

Jeans are like that one friend who can hang with anyone. They get along with every top in your suitcase, and they somehow manage to keep their cool when you’re sweating through TSA.

If it’s summer, trade them out for tailored shorts or linen trousers. Something that still gives structure but lets your legs breathe. If it’s cooler, bring a light cardigan, a denim jacket, or that one oversized sweater that smells faintly like your favorite coffee shop. (Comfort counts.)

And remember: comfort doesn’t mean giving up on style. It’s about that sweet relief when you sit down and realize, oh, these don’t dig in. That feeling deserves its own holiday.

The point is, you don’t need five pairs of pants. One great one. Maybe two if you’re indecisive. But that’s likely sufficient.

Accessories That Actually Make Sense

This is where people sometimes go off the rails. Suddenly, it’s like you’re preparing for Fashion Week instead of a weekend trip. Take a breath. You don’t need your entire jewelry box.

Start small. A gold chain that makes even a plain tee feel elevated. Simple hoops or studs that go with almost everything. Maybe that one ring you can’t stop fiddling with because it feels lucky.

And yes, sunglasses. Always sunglasses. Not necessarily for the sun, but for those “I haven’t had coffee yet, don’t talk to me” mornings.

If you’re into hats, great. Bring one that’s been in your closet long enough to have memories. You’ll wear it more than you think, especially when your hair decides to rebel mid-trip.

Scarves can also save your life. Not metaphorically. Literally. They can become shawls, hair wraps, picnic blankets, or makeshift pillows. Multi-use things tend to earn their space in your bag.

The trick with accessories is this: if it doesn’t serve more than one purpose, it stays home. Except maybe that one ridiculous item you love. You know, the one that doesn’t make sense but feels like “you.” Keep that. Trips are supposed to be fun, not an audit.

The Only Rule That Matters

Pack like you might bump into your ex. That’s it. That’s the golden rule.

Imagine you’re walking into a random coffee shop in a new city and—boom—there they are. Do you feel confident in what you’re wearing, or do you immediately regret the “comfy travel outfit” that looks like an adult onesie?

If it’s the second one, rethink your packing.

This doesn’t mean overdoing it. Confidence isn’t about perfection. It’s about comfort. The kind of comfort where you forget what you’re wearing because it just feels right.

Every single piece in your bag should make you feel like your best self. Not your most “Instagrammable” self, not your “I spent three hours planning this” self… just you.

That way, even if your trip goes sideways (delayed flights, weird Airbnb lighting, bad coffee), you’ll likely still feel solid because nothing throws off a good weekend faster than hating your outfit.

Also, let’s be honest: overpacking is exhausting. You end up living out of a suitcase that looks like a yard sale. Meanwhile, the person with one bag and three outfits looks effortlessly cool. You could be that person. All it takes is a little self-control to save the day.

So next time you’re staring at your closet, wondering if five pairs of shoes are “too many” (they likely are), remember this: the goal isn’t to have options. It’s to feel good in whatever you choose.

Because when you do, the whole trip just feels better.