After two international moves with kids and four years bouncing around Europe, I’ve gotten pretty good at packing light. These are the minimalist packing tips I come back to every time I pull out a suitcase.

I love the challenge of packing a suitcase (is that weird?)—and after two international moves with kids and four years bouncing around Europe, I’ve gotten pretty good at it.

Whether it’s a long weekend or a few weeks abroad, these are my top tips for packing light:

1. Start with a packing formula

When you’re staring at an empty suitcase and a closet full of clothes, a simple formula (like the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method) is the best place to start:

• 5 tops
• 4 bottoms
• 3 pairs of shoes
• 2 dresses and/or warmer layers (depending on the weather)
• 1 of each of your essential accessories

This framework makes packing so much easier that I built an entire travel capsule wardrobe guide around it, with warm- and cool-weather versions, a scaled-down option for shorter getaways, and a more robust formula for longer trips.

2. Stick to one color for accessories

When packing, I choose one neutral for all of my accessories (bags, shoes, and belts)—usually brown, beige, or black, depending on the season and the items I’m bringing.

When all your accessories are in the same color family, outfits feel more cohesive, and you can create more combinations with fewer pieces. I usually look at the clothes and footwear I’m bringing and let those steer the decision.

3. Save tiny containers for skincare

My husband’s old contact lens cases are the MVPs of my toiletry bag when I’m traveling these days. They’re small and spillproof, which makes them perfect for filling with face cleanser, moisturizer, SPF, and serums. One case of each (two compartments) usually lasts about a week.

4. Bring a small bottle of laundry detergent

For trips lasting 5+ nights, I always pack a 3-ounce travel bottle of laundry detergent so I can do a couple of loads wherever we’re staying, or handwash a few essentials mid-trip. Doing this allows us to pack less and bring less dirty laundry home. It’s a win-win!

5. Use packing cubes to stay organized

A lot of people use packing cubes because they think they save space. They do compress things a bit, but they really excel at containing clothing chaos. 

Here’s why I love them: 

• Fast unpacking: Everyone’s stuff is already sorted—just distribute and you’re done!
• One-night stops: Pack a cube with PJs and the next day’s outfit so you’re not digging through all the bags.
• On the way home: Use them for dirty laundry so clean clothes stay clean, then drop them straight in front of the washer when you get back.

These are the ones I use most. 

6. Keep a dedicated set of travel chargers & headphones

I used to run around unplugging things from every outlet in the house twenty minutes before we needed to leave for the airport — and still managed to forget something every time. Now I keep a second set of chargers and headphones (wireless and plug-in) in a small zippered pouch that lives with my travel toiletries.

Because they’re duplicates, they’re always packed and always ready!

7. Pack a lightweight, washable bag

I always tuck one of these lightweight, washable Baggu totes into my bag before I leave for a trip. It takes up almost no space and is perfect for grocery runs, beach days, light shopping, and even corralling dirty laundry at the end of the trip.