With three-day weekends on the (slightly distant, but just within reach) horizon, now’s the perfect time to plan your inaugural summer getaway. Before you do, it’s time to make a silent promise to yourself. Chaotic carry-on and stressful pre-flight deliberations, no more—this is the season you streamline your packing routine. It’s far more enjoyable to book a last-minute weekend trip when you have the art of squeezing a travel wardrobe into a roller bag down to a science.
Suffice it to say, Vogue editors have logged enough time on the go to qualify as seasoned pros—and with those miles, a series of tried-and-true packing tips.
Vogue Editors’ Go-To Packing Essentials
Whether it’s deciphering what goes into a travel capsule wardrobe, making the most of every available inch in your suitcase, or finding a deceptively spacious personal item for the plane, our team has opinions. (Rolling or folding? Team travel steamer or team hoping for the best?) And then there are the travel essentials our editors rarely travel without—from skincare that fights post-flight dullness to the chic toiletry bags that store it all.
Without further ado, read on for the Vogue editor’s guide to packing for a warm-weather adventure.
Talia Abbas, shopping director
Is it weird that I love packing? I’m not talking about the outfit planning (that’s stressful), but the actual physical act of it: the fitting, the folding, the rolling—it’s like a game of Tetris. Almost everything goes in some kind of designated pouch, especially shoes. They must be stuffed with socks and wrapped in paper before going in their individual cloth dust bags—they cannot touch my clothes! I never travel anywhere without my Alex Mill tote, it’s one giant nesting doll. On any given trip, it’s carrying my lunch, a handbag I can’t fold flat, my ski helmet, all my jewelry (stored in its pouch, of course), and possibly extra shoes I couldn’t fit in my carry-on. I am one of those [insert your own adjective] people who likes to workout on vacation, so I always have to leave room for my running shoes somewhere…
Elly Leavitt, lifestyle editor, shopping
Packing minimalist, I am not—even on five-day trips, I tend to bring the biggest suitcase Delta will allow because I know I’ll always be bringing back wrapped ceramics and contraband pots of honey. If it’s a summer trip, I line the bottom with my beach towel rather than rolling it for some extra cushioning (I’m in the market for a new one, but I like this lightweight linen option); from there, it’s mostly an exercise of Russian dolls.
Small things get stuffed into bigger things: If I have a pair of tall boots, for example, a nosy customs officer will find them packed with anything from socks to playing cards to a curling iron. I’m trying to become a packing cubes person, so when I remember to use them, I organize them by like product with skirts in one, tees in another, and bulkier items in the largest size. Then I slot in approximately one million pouches, holding chargers, beauty products, and pajama sets, into any empty spaces for more cushioning. It’s an intricate operation but I have yet to have a pot of honey smash on my return.
Madeline Fass, fashion market director, shopping
Depending how long the trip is, I’ll usually try on a bunch of things on before they go into the suit case. I like to pack at least a few concrete looks, outfits I know I can get there and wear. It’s not the most time-efficient process but it works for me. Often, I’ll end up changing things around a bit when I’m on my trip, but it’s fun to get creative with what you’ve got in the suitcase. I prefer to roll my clothes and pack shoes, handbags, and accessories in dust bags and pouches. I travel a decent amount so I’ve got a few mini bottles and containers for products I’ve collectsed along the way that I will refill as needed. I keep a pouch ready in a drawer with my passport, airplane headphones, eye mask, adapters, and hand cream so it’s always all together. However, my best travel investment yet is probably this blow dry styler—it works with European power sockets.
Liam Hess, senior lifestyle editor
If you’re packing and worried about having to wear something formal at the other end, always look to Issey Miyake. I’ve slowly (but very intentionally) purchased three Homme Plissé suits in different colors over the past few years, and they’ve never let me down: They spring right back into shape, without any need to call up a steamer or iron to your hotel room. And if you’re flying long-haul, always pack a mini version of your toiletry bag in your carry-on that you can take to the plane bathroom—with a bottle of water to brush your teeth, obvs—and freshen up before landing. (I’ve had my scotchgrain leather Mulberry washbag for nearly 20 years, and it’s still going strong—definitely worth the investment.) Oh, and this mini version of the Lineage Cream Skin mist if, like me, your skin takes on the texture of a crusty baguette after a long flight.
Kiana Murden, beauty editor, shopping
My packing philosophy is what I like to call systematic chaos. For outfits that aren’t planned down to the accessory, I pack my clothing by wearability. If I think there’s even a chance I might want to wear this pant or that top, I will find a way to fit it in my suitcase. As such, it should be no surprise that I’m an over-packer. Fortunately, my packing cubes keep me in check. I have a big one for clothes (which are folded, not rolled), and a smaller one for activewear, pajamas, and undergarments. Shoes go in dust bags, as do purses. My toiletry bag, makeup pouch, and perfume samples are always packed (Beauty editor pro tip: keep your carry-on’s mesh panel stocked with a sheet mask, eye patches, and cotton rounds); once jewelry goes into my suitcase, I throw any hot tools I need at the top and close it.
Naturally, all this does not fit into a carry-on, so my personal item must be capacious—large enough to fit last-minute additions, cosmetics, accessories; plus, an array of mini pouches I use to carry sanitizers, headphones, and any medications. What can I say: I like to be prepared for anything!
Taylor Lashley, senior manager, social media
My approach to packing varies depending on the length of the trip. For a weekend getaway, I like to pack full outfits since I usually have a clear sense of my plans, though I always throw in one extra look just in case—you can never be too prepared. For longer trips, I lean on a mini capsule wardrobe with versatile pieces: jeans that work with flats or heels, a sweater that can double as a scarf or be tied at the waist, and a pair of black trousers that can go just about anywhere. I swear by using pouches for items like beauty, swim, and tech—it keeps everything streamlined, even when travel gets chaotic. And my go-to travel look? You can never go wrong with a matching set.
Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty writer, shopping
I dread packing and unpacking, so really, there’s just no winning with me. My goal is always to avert checking my suitcase. Why? Well, I’m impatient, and people seem to be on their worst behavior at the airport. The method to my madness is as follows: clothes, a single hair tool, and shoes in the suitcase (with room for shopping, of course); toiletries, laptop, and personal items in my bag.
To keep things streamlined, one of my best friends (who’s a pro photographer and spends her life on tour with music artists) put me onto packing cubes from Baggu (thank you, Amanda!). That way, there’s no searching for specific items through layers of clothes—tops can live in one cube, undies in another, shoes separate. I prefer to pack by conceptualizing outfits, since there are so many ways to wear one item. I won’t use just any skincare or shampoo, so if I have the time to pick up travel-size items, I will. Otherwise, I have my Cadence capsules (already pre-labeled!) to pour product into. My makeup is another story. I prefer a vertical storage case to avoid digging for products. For hair tools, I pick a universal-voltage option and one I can use for multiple styles—surely a hotel has a hair dryer!
Irene Kim, production and editorial associate, runway
I’m an under-packer and a huge believer in bringing everything in a carry-on and personal item— which means I have to be super strategic in what I travel with. I always bring my Alex Mill Weekend tote while for my carry-on suitcase, I’ll switch back and forth from my trendier Off-White suitcase to my tried-and-true bigger carry on from Away. But if I can convince you to buy one thing, it’s the Alex Mill weekend tote; it’s truly changed my life, not only because it fits under the seat in economy, but because you can adjust the size with the snap of a few buttons to best fit your needs.
On vacations I rock my natural hair, because hair tools are too heavy to bring. A good curl cream for my wavy hair is a must; my favorite is from Crown Affair. As for clothes, I only bringing the essentials (which for me always includes a Dôen dress or two, jeans, and a pair of Havaianas). For everything else, I’ll play it by ear based on where I’m going and will also hope and pray that someone I’m traveling with will have something on-hand for me to borrow!
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Minty Mellon, market editor, shopping
My rule is simple: if the trip is under a week, I commit to a carry-on. In reality, it’s more complicated than it sounds. I pack in piles—denim, knits, “just in case” options—only to overfill the suitcase and begin the editing process, removing one by one until it finally zips. I find this the most practical method, but equally emotional; letting go of options is never easy when you’re dressing for moments you can’t plan for.
But, as my suitcase leans chaotic, my travel tote is more considered. My Parker Thatch Jack bag fits all the essentials: a laptop (non-negotiable), a make-up bag and separate toiletry case, a couple of books I optimistically plan to finish, and a small stuffed bunny I refuse to part with. It’s not perfect, but it works!
Andrea Zendejas, market editor, shopping
Not going to lie, I have never been a light packer. I have become better at it over time, but once you are packing for a new family member too, all bets are off—suddenly, traveling light feels less like a goal and more like a necessity. One of the best packing tricks I’ve picked up came from my sister, Sarah, who swears by packing as flat as possible. She converted me from being a former packing cube loyalist; I have quickly realized this method fits so much more.
I try to pack everything inside out, especially delicate fabrics and blazers, to help protect them in transit. When it comes to what I bring, I love pieces in wrinkle-resistant fabrics, like jersey, that travel well. I travel with a train case to hold all my beauty essentials. I got another tip from my other sister, Susanna, who taught me to always pack an extra foldable tote for any purchases made along the way. Having that extra duffle is a total safety net.
