While I love a good weekender bag, packing in one for an actual weekend still seems like overkill for me. Today I’m sharing my strategy for packing in a tote for the upcoming holiday weekends, as well as some tips to help you pack in a tote too.
Above: J.Crew Funnelneck Coat, Everlane Highrise Skinny Ankle Jean, Everlane Pleated Midi Skirt, Everlane Cashmere Sweaterdress, Cuyana Turtleneck Tee, Everlane Waffle-knit Cashmere Square Sweater, Cuyana Long Sleep Set, Everlane Modern Loafer Mule, Cuyana Classic Leather Zipper Tote.
I chose to pack in my Cuyana Classic Leather Zip Tote and bring along my usual Cuyana Travel Wallet. In a bind the wallet can act as a clutch, and the tote is good enough sized to hold all of the items I’d like to bring.
How to Pack in a Tote
Plan Ahead
This is such a given with packing for any trip, but for packing in a tote it is extremely important. Know the weather as well as any planned activities for the duration of the trip.
Clothing
The 10 items I chose were not hard to narrow down since I’d only be gone a few days, but they all can be put together to form very different outfits. If in the very unlikely event that I need to dress up, the skirt and loafers with the turtleneck would be perfect.
Shoes
I opted to go with the two-pairs of shoes rule: pack one, wear one. Both are casual as I don’t have formal plans, and I chose to wear the bulkier pair to save on space.
Accessories
Unless it’s some sort of beach or ski trip, these are really unnecessary when packing in a tote as they can take up a lot of space. If you need to fly, a light or warmer scarf would be great and you can loop it around the handles instead of storing it inside.
Personal Care
My rule is to not pack items that I don’t use daily. The only hair products I bring are dry shampoo and oil, and heated hair tools are out of the question as they take up way too much space. If I absolutely need to wash my hair, I can do so just this one time on borrowed items, but for a 3 day trip it’s very unlikely. Instead of packing a day and night skin routine, I opt for the day only or pack a small amount of oil for night.
Tech
Packing a laptop in a single tote bag with other clothing items is not only bulky and heavy, but it is very unlikely that I’ll use it for such a short trip. I’d rather use my phone for backup and prioritize spending time with friends and family.
Outfit Above: J.Crew Funnelneck Coat, Cuyana Turtleneck Tee, Everlane Highrise Skinny Ankle Jean, Everlane Boss Boot.
Quick Tips for Packing In a Tote
- Always, always check the weather.
- Know what you plan to do during your trip.
- Pack items that can very easily be mixed together to form additional outfits.
- Do not pack items that are similar in shape or function.
- Be sure that all colors go well together.
- Wear your bulkier items for travel so they don’t need to go in your bag.
- Do not pack a one-piece item (i.e. dress, jumpsuit) unless it can be worn in more than one way.
- Limit your toiletries to those you absolutely need every single day. Opt for a day routine v.s. both day and night.
- Using minimal makeup is helpful as well.
- Do you really need a laptop? I packed mine and didn’t end up using it. I will spend all my time with family instead.
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Do you ever pack in smaller bags? What tips do you have to share?
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