The trick to travelling with one bag is not folding. It is accepting that you will wear the same four things and nobody will notice.
The list
- 3 t-shirts (one worn, two packed), all one colour family
- 1 overshirt or light jacket — the layer that changes everything
- 2 trousers: one for walking, one that can pass at dinner
- 5 underwear, 4 socks (one pair merino, dries overnight)
- 1 pair of shoes worn, 1 pair of flat packable sandals
- Toiletry bag under 100ml per item, decanted
- Chargers in one pouch, one cable per device maximum
The bag
A 35–40L carry-on with a clamshell opening. Clamshell beats top-loading every time — you can see everything without unpacking. The canvas tote folds flat inside and becomes the day bag at the destination.
The two things people forget
- A plastic bag for dirty laundry. Without it, everything becomes laundry.
- A refillable bottle, empty through security. Airport water is the most expensive liquid on earth.
Laundry maths
For a seven-day trip, plan one sink wash on day four: shirts only, rolled in a towel, hung overnight. That is the difference between four shirts and seven.
What to leave
The just-in-case shoes. The second charger. The laptop you will not open. Every item you pack for a hypothetical trip is weight you carry on the real one.