How I Pack Light + Efficiently for a Fall Trip to Myrtle Beach

I’m no travel expert but from weekend road trips and domestic flights, I’ve learned a few things to make the traveling less stressful and most efficient, especially for a quick trip with a variety of activities on the itinerary.

My friend Ashley of Fit Mitten Kitchen is kind of a big deal and when she invited me to fly to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with her as her photographer, I jumped at the chance. But last week was pretty busy and the trip snuck up on me and got me thinking about how I make my packing most efficient and work for me:

Write out a Packing List

Writing up a packing list is my favorite thing to do. I usually type these out now so I can bullet point all items to pack and organize my clothing to pack by outfits and which day and for what occasion I will wear the outfit (for example: Saturday morning kayak trip, Saturday dinner look.)

Use Packing Cubes

I didn’t use packing cubes this trip to Myrtle Beach and highly regret it since it keeps me organized and somehow magically I can pack more this way. I try to pack by outfit with underwear and bras in its own separate compartment. I bought these packing cubes off Amazon for $20 plus free shipping. Mine are a little cheap and I think I’ll upgrade to these Calpak packing cubes eventually.

Make Carry-on Luggage a Priority

I used to always check my bags and I’ve realized how less stressful my life is and how more efficient I am with packing when I force myself to bring a carry-on bag. I use this Samsonite carryon luggage, but there are a ton of other options on sale at Nordstrom right now!

Stock up on Travel Size

I usually stock up on travel size when I’m not planning a trip. Then I have everything I need at my finger tips when I finally do have a trip and I’m too stressed to make last minute trips to the store for necessities.

Shampoo, conditioner, small reusable travel bottles, toothpaste, sunscreen, dry shampoo, rollerball fragrance, face wash and body lotion are a few items I always have in my closet. And I usually pick out new items that excite me so I can try a new fragrance or shampoo to test out before I commit to full size.

Airport Style

My airport style is usually super comfortable, but versatile, wearing key pieces I plan to wear on my trip and mix and match like leggings, a tee, perhaps a sweatshirt and a jacket.

The jacket I choose is key as that’s a key layering piece for the trip and I wear the jacket that will mix and match best with what I plan to wear, to and see on a trip. Sometimes this is my go-to leather jacket like the one I’m wearing in this post, sometimes a denim jacket and sometimes it’s a thick cardigan/coat-igan!

I also always wear the same airport look on the way home from a trip!

Dress from ASOS | leather jacket by Topshop | mules from DSW | bag by Gucci