Travel hack! FEMAIL reveals five essential tips for vacationing with carry-on luggage only

  • To travel with only a single carry-on and personal item without sacrificing an ounce of style, it's essential to pack efficiently
  • From choosing one color palette for all your garments to bringing pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, FEMAIL reveals five helpful tips for traveling light
  • Wear your heavier items on the plane and don't forget a hat for sun protection and instant drama 

There's something to be said about traveling light: you save on airline baggage fees, you don't have to worry about your checked suitcase being lost or stolen and you won't be weighed down by heavy bags while trying to navigate a new place. 

But to vacation with only a single carry-on and personal item without sacrificing an ounce of style, it's essential to pack efficiently. 

FEMAIL reveals how to fit everything you need in a roller that can easily be stored in an airplane's overhead compartment. Baggage claim is for amateurs!

Travel light: Priyanka Chopra was spotted at Nice Airport during Cannes Film Festival with a carry-on luggage

Travel light: Priyanka Chopra was spotted at Nice Airport during Cannes Film Festival with a carry-on luggage

Don't bring everything: To vacation with only a carry-on luggage without sacrificing an ounce of style, it's essential to pack efficiently

Don't bring everything: To vacation with only a carry-on luggage without sacrificing an ounce of style, it's essential to pack efficiently

COLOR COORDINATION: 

Start by choosing a color palette, then pulling both casual and dressy pieces from your closet in your chosen range of hues.  

We suggest a pair of jean shorts, two t-shirts, two beach cover ups, two skirts, three bathing suits and two maxi dresses.

Doing this lets you mix and match different pieces and repeat items as needed.   Everything matches! 

OPT FOR MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ITEMS: 

Pack items that can be used in more than one way. 

Floor-length dresses that layer (invisibly) over leggings can be worn in the daytime or evening when the temperatures drop. 

Colorful beach kaftans can be tied around the waist and worn as a skirt, while some bathing suits can easily double as tops. 

LIMIT YOUR SHOE CHOICES: 

Shoes take up a lot of space, so settle on just a few pairs in neutral colors.

Pack flip-flops, wedges and a pair of stilettos — you never know where you’ll end up or who you might meet that requires an added dose of sexiness.

You'll need a pair of sneakers for sightseeing and the hotel gym, but they're bulky, so wear them on the plane. 

So stylish: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley arrived in Sydney for Australia Fashion Week 2019  carrying a large tote

So stylish: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley arrived in Sydney for Australia Fashion Week 2019  carrying a large tote

ACCESSORIES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE: 

Leave expensive jewelry at home.

Opt instead for a few pairs of statement costume earrings and rings. Trendy shell danglers can instantly elevate a basic tee and jean shorts.

A lightweight beach bag for the pool and a neutral-hued pouch that doubles as a wallet and evening clutch are smart carryalls to bring. 

For day trips (and any extras you might pick up along the way), a backpack holds the essentials (i.e. room key, water bottle, umbrella, souvenirs) in hands-free style! 

A straw hat protects your skin against the sun's harmful rays and adds some drama to every look. 

WEAR HEAVIER ITEMS ON THE PLANE:  

Along with your sneakers, board the plane in a t-shirt, thin hoodie, leather jacket and leggings. 

They're perfect layering pieces for changing island temperatures and will keep you comfortable at the airport.  

Happy travels!  

Board the plane in layers: Wear heavier items like hoodies and sneakers on the plane à la Bella Hadid

Board the plane in layers: Wear heavier items like hoodies and sneakers on the plane à la Bella Hadid

  SHOP THE LOOK:

Leopard Shirt Dress BY Wilfred, $158; aritzia.com

Leopard Shirt Dress BY Wilfred, $158; aritzia.com

Gigi seersucker bikini by Hunza G, $180; net-a-porter.com

Gigi seersucker bikini by Hunza G, $180; net-a-porter.com

Uber Clutch by Gigi New York, $195; giginewyork.com

Uber Clutch by Gigi New York, $195; giginewyork.com

Hoop Earrings by H&M, $9.99; hm.com

Hoop Earrings by H&M, $9.99; hm.com

Torrey knotted stretch-crepe swimsuit by Marysia, $349; net-a-porter.com

Torrey knotted stretch-crepe swimsuit by Marysia, $349; net-a-porter.com

The Nudist Sandal by Stuart Weitzman, $425; stuartweitzman.com

The Nudist Sandal by Stuart Weitzman, $425; stuartweitzman.com

Wide Brim Straw Raffia Fedora by Justine Hats, $120; wolfandbadger.com

Wide Brim Straw Raffia Fedora by Justine Hats, $120; wolfandbadger.com

Earrings with Shells by H&M, $9.99; hm.com

Earrings with Shells by H&M, $9.99; hm.com

Cotton Striped Boxy Fit T-Shirt by Boohoo, now $8; boohoo.com

Cotton Striped Boxy Fit T-Shirt by Boohoo, now $8; boohoo.com

Denim Mom Shorts by American Eagle, now $34.99; ae.com

Denim Mom Shorts by American Eagle, now $34.99; ae.com

Espadrilles Divo Sandals, now $135; italist.com

Espadrilles Divo Sandals, now $135; italist.com

Embellished printed silk kaftan by Camilla, $600; mytheresa.com

Embellished printed silk kaftan by Camilla, $600; mytheresa.com

Shimmers by TKEES, $58; tkees.com

Shimmers by TKEES, $58; tkees.com

   

   

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Travel hack! FEMAIL reveals five essential tips for vacationing with carry-on luggage only 

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