My Favorite Packing Tool for How to Pack Light

Before we dive into the list, can I tell you my go-to tool for packing smart every time? It’s my free Starter Kit Wardrobe Guide! It focuses on just a handful of pieces — around 9 to start — that can create 9-15 outfits. It’s super simple but super effective and efficient. It’s perfect if you want a solid mix-and-match wardrobe, and it’s awesome for learning how to pack light.

(And fun fact: a bunch of PMTers who joined my last Capsule Wardrobe Challenge used the Starter Kit Checklist to pack for their trips — they said it made things a whole lot easier. 🙌🏽)

Why Packing Light Matters

Especially when traveling with kids, I prefer to bring fewer pieces so there’s less to manage (and more room for snacks, stuffies, and random items I couldn’t convince them to keep at home). The less I bring, the less overwhelmed I feel and that makes life on-the-go smoother.

We were headed to South Carolina to visit my husband’s sister, her husband, and their four kids (including a 2.5-week-old newborn 🥲), so it was really low key. No fancy outings, no sightseeing — just lots of low-key family time, which made it really easy to stick with a mini capsule wardrobe.

How to Pack Light

When packing, my main goal isn’t to have unique outfits each day (especially when it’s so low key and we’re just visiting family). It’s to feel prepared for changing temps and random activities without packing my entire closet.

My Packing Formula

I always start with a variation of the 9 pieces from the Starter Kit Checklist:

• 2-3 bottoms
• 3-4 tops
• 2-3 layers
• 1-2 pairs of shoes

From there, I tweak based on the trip length and weather. For this 6-day trip, I added a couple more tops and bottoms to give me options for humid vs. breezy days.

The Weather

Temps ranged from 72° to 86° F and humid. Unfortunately, that temperature range is an awkward zone for me since I need to wear jeans when it’s 70°, but 86° and humid is too hot for them. So I needed to bring jeans AND a few lightweight, breathable options for summer temps.

What I Actually Packed

Sizing info: I’m 5’6″, usually S/M or 6 in clothes, 8.5 to 9 in shoes.

Bottoms

I brought two pairs of jeans for the few 70° days and two pairs of lightweight pants for the 80°+ humid days.

1. Dark Wide Leg Jeans — Stretchy + structured + elastic in the waistband = MY FAVES. These Draper James jeans are my current go-to jeans. So comfortable! I wear size 6.
2. Black Wide Leg Jeans — Same jeans, different color. If it ain’t broke…buy multiples. 😂
3. Black Lightweight Wide Leg Pants — SO breathable that I barely had to wear shorts last summer thanks to these! I LIVED in them! And they’re BACK IN STOCK! Available in straight, petite, plus, and tall. I wear size S.
4. Printed Lightweight Summer Pants — Silky, breathable, and so comfortable! This is the other pair of pants I lived in last summer and barely had to wear shorts as a result. My print is sold out but there’s another print and several solid colors. I wear size S.
   
   One note is that these pants appear to be different lengths depending on the color or print. The pair I own is ankle length. The black looks like it’s ankle length on the site. But the navy and the current print are full length — both on the model and on me! I like the length, but just an FYI that they are different across colorways!

Tops

I stuck with t-shirts since we were just hanging out with kids every day. I brought 5 tees and 1 tank, and each one paired with at least two bottoms. When it comes to how to pack light, I make sure that I bring versatile pieces, and that each piece can pair with at least two counterparts.

Some of my tees are old and no longer available, but I linked to the ones that are available:

1. California tee (from a boutique); similar from Amazon
2. New York tee (from J.Crew Factory); similar
3. striped tee (I wear size S)
4. black tee (I wear size M)
5. leopard print tee (from LOFT)
6. black tank (I wear size M)

Layers

I brought a couple of layers in case of air conditioning indoors or being cold on the airplane.

1. Denim Jacket — This is the best, most versatile layer for all non-blue jeans. This one is stretchy + structured! I wear size S.
2. White Cardigan — I worried that jackets wouldn’t be warm enough, so I threw this in for backup warmth. It is so soft!

Activewear + Swim

I wasn’t planning to work out during the trip, so I just brought one option for activewear in case we went on a hike: activewear shorts and a T-shirt.

1. Activewear Top — Soft, comfy, and lots of colors. I like the cropped length with high waisted bottoms, but there’s a longer version HERE, also. I wear size S.
2. Activewear Shorts — I’ve owned these forever. I linked to the updated, current version.
3. Swimsuit — For the pool with the kids.

Shoes

While I would have loved to have only brought one pair of shoes, I had to bring three. The opposite of how to pack light. 😭

1. White Lifestyle Sneakers (similar) — They go with everything I brought.
2. Black Water Sandals — For versatility and light packing, they needed to coordinate with my lightweight summer pants, so I kept the theme black between all three pieces. Mine are sold out, but if you’re looking for a water sandal that you can wear at the pool/beach AND looks good with your regular outfits, try this pair of Reefs. My teammate Courtney loves them! 
3. Athletic Sneakers — In case of active outings.

How to Pack Light: More Packing Lists & Capsule Wardrobes

• Packing lists
• Capsule wardrobes

Free Starter Kit Wardrobe Checklist!

A Starter Kit Wardrobe is a small collection of items that kick-starts your wardrobe. Once you assemble this small-but-mighty core collection, you’ll be able to build on to it and create a mix-and-match wardrobe suited to your style. This small core will anchor your entire wardrobe moving forward, enabling you to build a cohesive wardrobe that is easier to use.

With this FREE Starter Kit Wardrobe Checklist, you can get started right away.

In the guide, you’ll find easy-to-follow checklists for casual, work, and athleisure. The checklists are super simple — and that’s the point!

These checklists make the wardrobe building process simpler so that you know what to focus on and can overcome the overwhelm immediately, get unstuck, and finally move forward towards having a wardrobe you love. Get the FREE Checklist HERE!