What to Pack in a Carry-On Bag for your Work Trip, Resort Vacation, or

Packing for a trip can feel like a daunting task, especially when you're limited to a single carry-on bag. Whether you're heading to a work conference, unwinding at a luxurious resort, or exploring a busy city, you’ve likely wrestled with the same question: What to pack in a carry-on 🧳? At APD, we frequently hear from customers who are looking for effortless, stylish pieces that work as hard as they do. Many of our designs are travel-friendly because they’re chic, versatile, and easy to style, making them ideal for luxurious getaways and work trips alike 🏝💼. In this article, you’ll find practical advice on how to pack strategically for your next adventure, plus tailored APD picks that are perfect for travel! Here’s what you can expect to learn: What to pack in a carry-on so you're prepared for work, resort relaxation, or city exploration 🌃. How to pack your carry-on luggage efficiently, maximizing space without leaving behind the things you need most. Accessories to keep your items organized and make travel smoother. By the end of this guide, you’ll feel confident and ready to pack like a pro for any destination! For more travel essentials, check out our Travel Essentials Lists and Tips blog! What to Pack in a Carry-On Bag Packing for a trip? Let’s make sure your carry-on is as chic and functional as you are. Whether you're sealing deals, sipping margaritas, or snapping pics in the trendiest urban spots 📸, this guide will ensure your suitcase is a compact capsule of style and practicality. Here’s the breakdown: What to Pack in a Carry-On for a Business Trip A polished, professional look doesn’t have to mean overpacking. Stick to versatile pieces that can do double duty: Tops (3-4): Go for wrinkle-resistant button-downs or chic blouses in neutral or solid colors like this one from APD. Bonus points for patterns that will hide the occasional coffee spill. Bottoms (2-3): Pack tailored trousers and a sleek pencil skirt, or swap in a wide-leg pant for a modern twist. Jacket (1): A structured blazer adds instant polish to any outfit. Shoes (2 pairs): Classic loafers or ballet flats for the day and a pair of low-profile kitten heels for dinners or presentations. Accessories: A statement necklace, versatile tote bag, and a laptop-friendly work bag to keep it professional yet stylish. What to Pack in a Carry-On for a Resort Vacation Vacation mode = effortless glam. Focus on breezy fabrics, vibrant colors, and items that can transition from poolside to dinner date 🏖. Tops (3): Lightweight tanks or flowy blouses that are easy to mix and match. Bottoms (2): Linen shorts and a pair of wide-leg pants or a breezy maxi skirt. Dresses (2-3): Flowy sundresses and one “wow” evening dress for a romantic dinner. Swimwear (2-3): Because one is never enough (this APD one doubles as a top too). Don’t forget a chic cover-up! The APD one below gets you major bonus points because it's reversible and can be dressed up or down - multiple outfits in one! Shoes (3 pairs): Comfy sandals for walking, flip-flops for the beach, and strappy heels for nights out. Accessories: A floppy hat, oversized sunglasses, and a versatile beach bag that doubles as a carry-all 👒🕶. What to Pack in a Carry-On for a City Tour City life calls for a mix of comfort and edge. Your outfits should handle miles of walking, impromptu café stops ☕️, and Instagram-worthy street shots. Tops (3-4): Think graphic tees, stylish tanks, or cropped shirts for layering. Here are some of our favs! Bottoms (2-3): High-waisted jeans, a midi skirt, and tailored shorts to cover all the vibes. Outerwear (1): A lightweight trench coat or leather jacket to battle unpredictable weather. Check out this APD trench 🧥! Super lightweight, comfortable, has the biggest pockets, versatile, and it folds up perfectly to fit in your carry-on. Shoes (2 pairs): Trendy sneakers for walking all day and ankle boots for a cool, dressed-up vibe. Accessories: A crossbody bag for hands-free adventures and a scarf for layering. Cleaning Essentials to Pack in a Carry-On When you’re living off a limited wardrobe, keeping your clothes fresh is essential 🧼🧺. Pack these: Travel-size fabric wrinkle/refresher spray (our fav) Portable stain remover pen Mini detergent packets for sink washes Shoe bags to keep everything clean and organized Ready to pack like a pro? Don’t let your carry-on cramp your style! Keep this list handy, and you’ll never overpack - or underpack - again. Whether it’s work, play, or a mix of both, your perfectly packed carry-on will have you looking effortlessly chic. How to Pack Your Carry-On Luggage Now that you’ve nailed your packing list, let’s talk about how to pack a carry-on without breaking a sweat. With a little strategy (and some pro tips), you can maximize space, keep your items organized, and breeze through TSA like a packing guru. How to Pack Shoes in a Carry-On Shoes are the ultimate space hog, so packing them smartly is key: Limit your pairs: Stick to three max - one on your feet and two in your bag 👡. Stuff them: Life hack! Use the inside of your shoes to store socks, undergarments, or small accessories. It’s a sneaky way to save space! Bag them up: Use shoe bags or reusable grocery bags to keep dirt away from your clothes. Position strategically: Place shoes at the bottom of your bag near the wheels for better weight distribution. How to Pack Makeup in a Carry-On Traveling with your beauty stash 💄? Here’s how to avoid messy spills and keep your essentials intact: Downsize: Use travel-sized containers for foundation, moisturizer, and other liquids. TSA-approved bag: Store all liquids in a clear, quart-sized bag for easy screening. Stick to the basics: Pack a multipurpose palette with blush, eyeshadow, and bronzer all in one. Protect fragile items: Wrap makeup palettes in a soft scarf or t-shirt to prevent breakage! Need a toiletry bag? Check out our incidental bags! They’re water-proof and ultra durable, plus they come in super fun prints - obvi 😉! How to Pack Perfume in a Carry-On Your signature scent deserves a safe journey, too! Travel-size only: Opt for rollerballs or sample-size perfumes to stay within the TSA’s liquid limits. Plus, it’ll be no sweat if you lose it during your travels! The full-sized perfume will be safe and sound at home. Protect from leaks: Wrap the bottle in plastic wrap and store it in a ziplock bag for extra protection. Keep it accessible: Place your perfume in an outer pocket or the top layer of your bag for easy retrieval. How to Pack Accessories in a Carry-On Accessories can make or break your outfit, but they need to stay organized: Jewelry: Use a travel jewelry organizer or thread necklaces through a straw to avoid tangling 💎. We love this one from Mark & Graham. Belts: Roll belts and tuck them into shoes or side pockets. Sunglasses: Store sunglasses in a hard case to prevent scratches. How to Pack Tech Gear in a Carry-On From chargers to headphones, here’s how to handle your tech essentials 📱: Cord organizers: Use a small pouch or a cable organizer to keep chargers untangled. Power bank: Pack a portable charger for those long travel days. Laptop/tablet: Place your devices in a padded sleeve and store them in an easily accessible pocket for TSA checks 👩🏻💻. Packing doesn’t have to be stressful - or boring! With these tips, your carry-on will be a perfectly organized Tetris masterpiece, ready to handle whatever comes your way. Which of these hacks will you try first? Let us know in the comments! ✈️ Accessories to Maximize Space and Keep Your Carry-On Organized A well-packed carry-on isn’t just about what you bring - it’s about how you organize it. The right accessories can turn your suitcase into a perfectly arranged, stress-free travel kit. Here are some must-have products to keep your essentials neat, compact, and easy to find. Useful Products for Organizing Clothes, Toiletries, and Jewelry Packing Cubes: The ultimate game-changer! Separate your outfits, keep clean clothes away from dirty ones, and save tons of space. Bonus: Roll your clothes inside the cubes for even better organization. Compression Bags: If you need to pack bulkier items like jackets or sweaters, vacuum-seal compression bags help remove excess air, making your carry-on more spacious. Hanging Toiletry Bag: A lifesaver for hotel stays! A compact, waterproof toiletry bag with multiple compartments keeps all your beauty and hygiene essentials organized and accessible. Jewelry Organizer: No more tangled necklaces! A small travel jewelry case or a DIY trick (like threading necklaces through a straw) will keep your accessories safe and mess-free. Tech Organizer: Stop digging through your bag for chargers! A compact tech pouch keeps cords, headphones, and power banks neatly arranged in one spot. Shoe Bags: Keep your shoes from dirtying up the rest of your luggage. Bonus: Stuff socks inside shoes for extra space-saving. Foldable Laundry Bag: A small, lightweight bag for dirty clothes will keep them separate from your fresh outfits and make unpacking at home easier. Carry-On Like a Pro: Pack Smart, Travel Chic, Stress Less! Packing a carry-on doesn’t have to be a stressful game of “will it fit?” - with the right strategy, you can travel light without sacrificing style or essentials. Whether you’re heading to a business meeting, lounging at a resort, or exploring a new city, a well-packed bag means less hassle and more time enjoying your trip. Now it’s your turn—put these tips to the test and pack like a pro for your next adventure. Do you have a favorite carry-on hack or must-have travel essential? Share your go-to packing tips in the comments! Safe travels! ✈️✨ We'll see you March 7th for our next blog! In the meantime, leave a comment below to let us know what your favorite travel hack is. As always, keep up with us on social media and subscribe to our mailing list for all the latest APD news! For more travel tips be sure to check out this blog!