My job often has me in the air to nearby cities for a couple of days at a time – I don’t have time to track down lost luggage, so this means carry on only.
One bag is easy, my documents for work, laptop, agenda, power cables and wallet.
The other is either half empty or practically bursting depending on the trip. In fact there are overnight trips were I probably wouldn’t even need a second bag, except I always bring my running shoes, and pants, and shirt etc.
Often my roller luggage is lighter that my briefcase.
Here’s a couple of tips I use to make sure I am compact and can be ready for anything from meeting colleges for work, friends for dinner and can run at least once a trip.
First, figure out what shoes you are wearing. Actually the very first thing is throwing in the running gear. Then figure out the shoes, in the summer a basic heel in black, brown or beige works best. In the winter it’s usually black heeled boots.
Then just match whatever you might need to the shoes.
Here’s a breakdown from my last trip.
- Running gear: t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, jacket, shoes, socks, pants and sports bra
- Black heels (which I wear on the plane)
- Outfit on the way down is a black and white polka dot dress
- Outfit for day two, grey skirt, blue blouse, black sweater
- Outfit for day three (and trip home) black skirt, red tank, and the same black sweater
- Jeans (which I can wear with either of the shirts)
- T-shirt for sleeping
- Makeup bag. By this point, I’m so used to flying, everything fits into the Ziploc.
It took some getting used to, but I think I’ve got it down to a science.
When it comes to packing, I’m a roller – everything fits into the bag and is virtually wrinkle free when I arrive at the hotel.
Rules for living 