Packing for a Week with One Carry-On

A week away, one carry-on. It is entirely achievable provided you commit to a palette before you start packing rather than after.

Choose the palette first

Pick two neutrals and one accent. Camel and charcoal with a deep green, or navy and stone with rust. Every garment you pack must work with every other — that single rule is what halves the volume.

The week-long packing list

• One overcoat — worn on the plane, so it costs you no bag space.
• One fine merino crewneck and one heavier knit, rotated.
• Three shirts: one oxford for day, one flannel overshirt, one evening shirt.
• Two pairs of trousers — a pleated wool and a hardy cotton twill.
• One carry-on pack plus a flat messenger for the daily carry.

How to fold knitwear

Never fold knitwear over a hanger — the shoulder will stretch into a point. Fold the sleeves in to the centre, then fold the body in thirds, and pack it flat at the bottom of the bag where the weight works for you.

Roll the soft things

Shirts and trousers should be rolled rather than folded flat; rolled garments slide past each other and fill gaps, and they release fewer creases. Put anything that must stay crisp inside a plastic sleeve against the back panel of the bag.

Shoes: two pairs, no more

One pair worn, one packed, with the packed pair filled with rolled socks and belts. A pair of leather derbies covers both a dinner and a walking day, which no second sneaker will do.

The discipline is the point. A bag you can lift with one hand removes the single largest source of friction from travel.