Capsule wardrobe for 9 day US trip - cabin bag only!

[yellowgecko]

Your mission should you choose to accept it... help me plan a capsule wardrobe for a 9 day work trip in the US!

Requirements:

• has to all fit in hand luggage due to having to take internal flights every other day (I.e a small back pack and a cabin size wheelie)
• mix of client meetings and internal ones
• weekend sight seeing in a big city (likely Boston or NYC - never been to either)

It will be in mid May, travelling from the mid-West to the East Coast.

Have been to US before but less hectic trip and could take check in luggage, so naturally took the kitchen sink that is not an option!

Also - how the hell am I going to survive with a tiny plastic bag of liquids...?!?

Any help gratefully appreciated!

Ahh I'm so jealous!

I have no useful tips I can think of but what a lovely excuse to buy stuff over there - including a bigger case as you can check it in on the way back.

We’ve often travelled to the US on cabin baggage. Did 14 nights in New York, Washington and Virginia on cabin baggage last year, with 2 kids in tow. Admittedly, there was some pant/sock washing in the basin!

For meetings, I’d go for jersey dresses (short and long sleeves) and one decent jacket and pair of pumps. Boden isn’t very exciting but you can get kitted out there. For Boston, jeans/crops and trainers, t-shirts and sweaters. It might well rain, take one of those Uniqlo jackets that pack up tiny.

As for liquids, just head to CVS when you get there and spend twenty dollars on shampoo, toothbrush etc. You’ll be able to being lost if your makeup in the cabin bag.

Also the option of solid shampoo and shower gel bars to avoid getting as close to the liquids limit. I did a slightly shorter hand luggage only trip and went for thin layers that would allow me to do a few different looks, dresses, skirts, tops and thin jumpers that could work in a few combos though if you're going to multiple sites with different people could you get away with wearing the same looks twice and laundering at hotel?

I wish I could do that, but I'd only be able to buy stuff at the very end as the internal flights are right up to almost the final day

Yes I thought dresses, I can get 2x wears out of those. Resigned to having to use hotel laundry at the weekend (or disposable pants..??!! 🤣 I have got a bit of a tummy, so jersey tends to cling in the wrong places on me...

I did recently pick up a lovely baby blue jacket from H&M that is machine washable so I may look at what I can find to go with that.

I don't think I will get away with a CVS trip, as I've still got to do internal flights. I know security isn't as strict, and the allowance is slightly more than EU...can I get away with 2 plastic bags...?

Well...you can wear a suit jacket over a plain t-shirt and it looks smart enough so I'd be inclined to say:

• 5 tshirts (can also be slept in)
• 2 pair of smart trousers/skirts
• 1 dress suitable for work and days off
• 1 pair of wool tights
• 1 jumper/cardi
• 1 lightweight suit jacket
• A pair of casual shorts
• 2 pair of flatish shoes (eg, smart flats for work and a pair of trainers)
• Underwear. And some regular tights for work dress/skirt days. Maybe a lightweight scarf too.

Some of that you could wear on the way over.
And don't forget to roll everything xD

Yes will deffo have to go with the laundry option. Shampoo bar is a good shout

You're amazing 🤩

I decant foundation, moisturiser etc into small aluminium tins (1-5ml). Dresses are good, along with black trousers, plain smart pullovers (camisoles/vests under) and different colour scarves/necklaces etc. When I travel like this I usually plan what I wear every day (including jewellery) - by mixing and matching you realise you don't need an enormous wardrobe to feel like you have a slightly different look every day.

And for liquids - you can buy a few things over there but for things that are pricy or hard to match to your usual like your foundation you could work out roughly how much you use each day and take some in those little round containers you can get in boots for travelling with. I usually mix my foundation and highlighter/cc stuff together in them but obviously test that out first lol.

The hotel will likely have soap and shampoo. Possibly even moisturiser.

Some ideas here:

This is a fantastic list.

Adding in some great jewellery & scarves could add options too.

3 x chunky necklaces
3 x earring choices, including one dramatic for evening
3 x scarves, including one large for warmth/cover on the plane

All packed into a cross-body bag suitable for outside of work, or a soft pouch stuffed into shoes.

This is brilliant, thank you all. I'll check out the YouTube video tomorrow. I love a scarf, and yes I think literally planning each days outfit is a great idea. I do try and do that when I pack but usually throw in an 'emergency' top or 3...!!

I've just ordered a set of travel bottles and various shampoo bars to trial. Also a bar of CeraVe soap which looks like it triples your as face soap, body soap and make up remover!

You could plan out all the outfits on the app Stylebook. Will help curate your travel wardrobe

I'd also say knickers and socks, buy some cheap ones you don't mind leaving behind....I do this on longer multi stop round trips- it's great!
And packing cubes! Either pack by outfits or by items ... they do save space and keep you clothes in order, even a few days in!

I'd freak out at the prospect of putting my used knickers in a hotel room bin for someone else to empty 😆

Are you staying in decent hotels? If so use their shampoo and shower gel, only take a miniature of conditioner if your hair really needs it.

prioritise skincare & make up (solids where poss) - get a tester of your perfume/mascara/face cream etc to take in plastic bag and buy top up miniatures of any generic stuff as you move around.

weather wise it should be warm so I’d go for one travel outfit and light jacket, 4 or 5 dresses - fabric that doesn’t crush (I find mint velvet good for these), one pair of jeans/chinos and a couple of tops, one smart jacket/blazer, one cardi as air con is ofter freezing. Keep everything similar colours so you can mix if needed. Roll don’t fold when packing.

trainers for travel and 1 pair of loafers packed that go with all work outfits. Shoes and the worst culprits for taking up space.

I guarantee the hotel staff wouldn't bat an eyelid. They're not rummaging about the bin to see what's in it.

Reversible clothing is your friend in this situation that you can mix and match. I have tops, skirts and dresses. If wrap dresses would work for you Next have this reversible wrap dress in a sale

If you think what else goes into a bathroom bin, then some used knickers are really not that shocking.

Better than having them squashed in a suitcase for nearly a week....

Without wanting to offend anyone....I don't think Americans dress particularly well in general and the style is very middle of the road so don't worry too much if you feel what you are packing is very practical and a bit dull. I was in New York last year and found myself in the very unusual position of feeling quite chic and stylish. After years of work and other trips to European cities where I always felt like a chubby peasant (which I sort of am), I felt OK there and anything goes really.

A few of the tips I use when doing hand luggage only business trips:

• packing cubes (compression ones)
• hotel laundry
• powder foundation I currently use this https://m.bobbibrown.co.uk/product/14017/88403/makeup/face-and-cheek/foundation/skin-weightless-powder-foundation#/shade/Porcelain
• make up remover wipes (eg garnier micellar) as these don’t count as liquids
• as others have said - shampoo and conditioner bars and tbh I just use hotel shower gel
• day moisturiser only (I leave separate night time one at home)
• solid stick deodorant (Mitchum generally) as again this doesn’t count as liquid
• wear your biggest shoes (eg trainers)
• decant into travel bottles any toiletries you can

Do check the weight limits on cabin bags and if you can have two bags with you as well. For some airlines or tickets you may only be allowed one.

5 dresses, wear twice, something that doesn't crease too much eg jersey, jacket that works with all (wear), cardigan that works with all to dress them down. Wear comfortable shoes, pack smarter shoes. Couple of spare bras, enough underwear. Appropriate socks and tights for your outfits. Use the toiletries hotels provide, take limited makeup, nothing bulky, a travel sized shampoo and conditioner in case a hotel doesn't have any. Roll on deodorant as small and so on.

I manage 3 weeks with just a motorcycle pannier. Last flying holiday we shared one checked case. I travel light

Some great ideas here. Am just coming on to say you may well have warm weather OP. Boston perhaps not but mid-May could be sticky - am sure you’ve checked.

Issy Miyake bags weigh zero.

Also with the knickers thing the bins will be lined so surely you just tie the bin liner before you leave, if you don’t want anyone to look inside?

Oh and on my cross body handbag I can fit my laptop in a sleeve, capsule make up and toiletries (in a 1 litre plastic ziplock bag) book, charger, headphones, money, passport, paperwork if required, meds, compact umbrella, tissues, phone. In emergency this bag slings over me easily too plus is fairly secure with an inner zipped section etc. Best gift my mum has ever bought me, literally the perfect travel bag for flying.