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I got busted last weekend. I showed up for birthday cocktails with my luggage because I was going straight from the restaurant to the airport for a weekend in Florida. What I was carrying was clearly not a carry-on suitcase, but a big enough bag you actually have to check. Harrumph. So I'm human and had a moment where I overpacked. I really didn't, though. My carry-on is too small, and the next size I have is too big. So I'm looking for the perfect carry-on.

Since this is one of the most popular months we get requests to help our clients pack for a trip, I'm packing you for Spring Break or a warm weather destination girls trip! But I'm showing you how to pack in one carry-on. Plus your tote. It's an art form we love to teach, how to pack lightly. (I did pack in one carry-on for a week-long trip to Italy, thank you very much.) It's so freeing. All your outfits are planned, you can manage your own luggage, and have room to bring home any special finds. Here we go. (Plus, Style Vault Insiders, here's your access to our downloadable checklist!)

The Carry-On Suitcase (this is the one I have my eye on, that came highly recommended)

You've got to get the luggage right. My list of most important must-haves are sturdy, spinning rolling wheels, the expandable option making your bag larger so you can bring home those fun purchases you make (this one expands by 25%), quality materials like quality zippers and nylon or even hardside exteriors. I have one of these larger hardside suitcases. Here's a less expensive nylon carry-on.

The Tote

Deidre gave me the tote I'm using here. But I like this one, too. BIG TIP: for a beach trip, if your travel tote can serve double-duty as your beach bag, you are #winning. A couple requirements I have for my tote I carry on the plane: a zipper closure is non-negotiable. This is so no greedy (and terrible) humans can reach in and grab your wallet, but also you can put it under the seat in front of you without worrying about your candy bar sliding out and landing 3 rows in front of you.

Here's what goes inside your tote:

• • • clutch which serves as your wallet, so put in here your credit cards, driver's license and passport, airline info, iPhone, lip gloss
    • medications in a little mesh bag
    • earbuds
    • sunglasses
    • jewelry roll
    • pair of socks
    • pashmina
    • magazine and/or book
    • laptop and/or iPad
    • snacks and mints
    • bottle of water after you go thru security
    • additional: if weather calls for rain during your trip, carry on a parka or trench with you

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Related : Hall Of Fame-Worthy March Must-Haves

And here's what goes in your carry-on suitcase (and then we'll look at what you're wearing on the plane). Start with 3 packing cubes (thank you to one of my lovely clients for this tip!).

First mesh bag

• nightclothes
• lingerie*
• 3 camis (be sure you have an "ivory" one, not nude; I like these)
• workout bras
• socks

*dirty lingerie goes inside your carry-on's side pocket at the end of each day

Second mesh bag (tops)

• • 2 full back tank tops (white + black  or  white + grey  or  white + a primary color)
  • 1 white or black or grey v-neck t-shirt (whichever one you're not traveling in, see below)
  • 1 t-shirt in a primary color or a second tunic
  • 1 going-out top (2 options below)
  • 1 tunic / cover-up (2 options below)
  • optional: 1 lightweight sweater or wrap

Third mesh bag (bottoms)

• 2 pairs of shorts (white and black)
• 1 casual skirt
• 1 dress (2 options below)
• 1 pair of either white or black jeans (only if you're not traveling in them, see below)

Miscellaneous

• 2 Swimsuits
• Toiletries (make sure you have travel sizes)
• Makeup Bag
• 2 Pairs of Shoes: leather flip-flops and wedges (if you're going to work out, throw in your workout wear, too)
• A plastic bag (for bringing home a wet swim suit)

Airport Travel Outfit

Wear all white (hang on - you can do this) or all black, with a chic jacket or blazer. So, in this case, I'm wearing white ankle jeans with a white v-neck t-shirt and a blush color blazer (mine is Veronica Beard, but here's another option). And my heaviest pair of shoes, my sneakadrilles (picture below). If you're worried about stains, carry my favorite stain remover with you. It works. Like seriously works.

Now for your outfits.

Daytime

For the most part, on a beach trip you'll be in your swimsuits and cover-up. One of my other best beach trip packing tips is to let your cover-up serve double-duty as a tunic over your white ankle jeans at night.

For bike rides and exploring, this is when you'll wear your shorts with either a t-shirt or your tank tops.

Sooooo, about this outfit. Sometimes when I travel I just like to break out of my mold and pretend I can wear whatever I want to. Just like you do, right? But really, at the beach I feel like a free young thing and so I borrowed a note from Deidre's wardrobe (at least my shorts don't have rips in them) and just went with it.

On a cooler day grab your white jeans and a t-shirt. Don't forget your beach hat! I packed mine, and you'll see how in the video. It arrived in perfect shape.

So these are my sneakadrilles that are my daytime walking shoes because they are both supportive and comfortable, unlike flip-flops. And aren't they the cutest??

 

Evening

Ok so I threw in this jumpsuit (similar) because it's soooo beachy and I wore it at night with my good leather flip flops, which were also my beach shoes (it looks like day here, but it was before sunset). I also substituted a lightweight sweater for my denim jacket because the temps called for cooler weather at the last minute.

Other evening outfits:

• tank tops under your pashmina or light sweater with your white jeans and wedges
• cover-up/tunic with white jeans and wedges (really important to get some height with your wedges  or sandals to make up for the longer tunic)
• dress and leather flip-flops (if they are the nice ones) or wedges

Thanks so much for reading! And don't worry, my spies are on vacation, too, so you won't be caught in your "no's." If you're not going anywhere, hey, I barely got out of town myself. And you have something to look forward to! Visit our Shop to see more of my Latest Loves plus all the Guides and posts that are available to purchase.