what's in my carry-on + tips: corp girlie edition

💭 As a corporate girlie travels every month for business (and sometimes leisure), here is how I ✨optimize✨ what and how to pack my luggage for my travels. I have flown across Asia and Middle East with this one carry-on, sometimes for up to 3 weeks — no checked-in baggage needed!

📍Tip 1: Pack light

- Bring only what you absolutely need. While packing, if you catch yourself thinking that you might need it, it is likely that you will not end up using it on your trip.

- Clothes 🧳: It's time to create an extreme capsule wardrobe. I will only bring pieces that I know are able to match in any combination so I can create as many outfit options as possible. It's even better if you're able to plan your daily outfit ahead of time so you do not end up packing more clothes than you need.

Small tip — wear the same set of clothes on the plane ride there and back (airport outfit) — you will never need to pack it into your luggage and take up space.

- Shoes 👠: Same for shoes, wear your bulkiest shoes on to the plane. I usually wear my sneakers, and pack my lighter shoes like flats and slippers in my luggage to save space.

- Makeup & Toiletries 💄: Travel size everything! I love my minis and certain brands like Sulwhasoo ( a personal favourite) will always throw in travel size freebies of the full-size product you've bought. I also keep my skincare routine very light, only sunstick and moisturizer (which I will substitute for a sheet mask too). Carrying one-time use or minis means once you finish them on your trip, you can throw them away immediately and not have to carry unnecessary weight in your luggage.

I only stay in hotels, which means that I don't pack items like body wash, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, with me either. All these items are usually available at the hotel, so there is no need for me to bring it.

- Electronics 💻: Buy a good quality travel plug, it is so worth the investment. Mine can be used with any international outlet and comes with 3 usb heads and 2 usbc heads. I also bring multi-head cables so I don't have to bring multiple.

Since I use only Apple products, even for work, as long as I am in a country with an Apple Store, I know that if there are any issues like hardware failure, I can just go down to the store to get it fixed or buy a replacement and return it within 2 weeks. It's like a loan service 👀

- Side note 📢: Buy an airtag and leave it in your luggage, regardless of whether you are checking it in or carry-on. You will always thank yourself for being able to keep track of where your belongings are all the time, even if you're just leaving it in your hotel room.

📍Tip 2: Create easy-access to items you will need to take out or use

- My number one biggest pet peeve at airports is having to take out all my electronics when going through security checks. That's why I invested in a carry-on that has a separate compartment for my laptop and other important documents like travel visas.

This allows me to take out these items during immigration without having to open up my luggage completely + not needing to carry it in my personal item bag (so no weight on my shoulders when I travel)!

📍Tip 3: Carry-on only

This is just my personal preference, but I have seen way too many people loose their check-in luggage especially during layover flights, or have their luggage ransacked by airport staff when loading cargo. My colleague once lost all her electronics that she packed in her checked-in bag!

Losing my belongings is a non-negotiable, and I rather keep my stuff with me. Optimizing your packing is the best way to ensure you always opt for caryy-on instead of check-in, and completely write out any risk of losing your items.

🍋 Whether you're a solo female traveller or going for a business trip, I hope these tips are useful for your travels!

#CorporateGirlie #whats in my bag #travel #packwithme #carryonluggage #Lemon8SG