The art of packing an overnight bag is tricker than you may think. You need to pack everything you need in a single bag and keep it as light as possible. With enough experience, you can pack an overnight bag in a few minutes, but in the beginning, it is hard to know exactly what you may need.
There are many things to consider when saving space. For example, you want to pack lightweight pajamas like the ones found at Eberjey so you can easily carry your bag around.
When you pack a quick overnight bag, you can tend to forget something really important. So we have created this guide to help you efficiently pack your bag so that you have everything you need and nothing more.
Select Your Bag
The first thing you need to do is select your bag. It shouldn’t be an overly large suitcase.
It just needs to be big enough to fit all of your items in and still allow you to easily carry it. A travel bag or a backpack are usually good choices.
Having one that has multiple pockets or compartments is also a good idea. That way you can easily find smaller items without digging out all of your luggage.
Choose Your Clothes
Next, you need to decide what clothes to bring. You will need to pick out your full outfit ahead of time so don’t bring options. Make sure it is weather appropriate so look up what the temperature will be in the upcoming days.
You will need to bring lightweight pajamas, underwear, a nice outfit if you are going out, and a travel outfit (which you will be wearing). Depending on what you are doing you can also need to bring a bathing suit.
If it is going to rain, pack a small umbrella or a foldable raincoat to save space.
Accessories
Accessories are small so they won’t take up too much space in your bag but still try to keep them to a minimum. Leave all your nice pieces at home as well in case you lose your bag.
If the weather requires you to bring larger accessories like a hat or a scarf, try to wear them on your travels instead of taking up space in your bag.
Toiletries
The main toiletries you will need to bring are your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, hairbrush, and deodorant.
If you are staying in a hotel they usually provide shower essentials, and if you are staying with a friend you can ask to borrow theirs. If you must bring shampoo, conditioner, and body wash try to get travel-size containers for them to save space.
You may need to bring makeup wipes as well and try to keep the skin care bottles to a minimum. A decent facial cleanser and moisturizer can last you for 1 night.
Miscellaneous
There are many miscellaneous items that are easy to forget. First, you need to pack any technology items you may need like chargers, headphones, a portable charger, or a tablet for entertainment.
You can also pack makeup and sunscreen but try to use your smallest items possible and only bring makeup essentials.
Finally, you will need to pack any medication you need to take, your keys, and your purse. Try to keep these items in compartments in your bag so that you have easy access to them if necessary.
Get Yourself Ready Before You Travel
If you are traveling for an event, try to get yourself ready before you leave for the night. This will save you a lot of space on makeup and hair products. That way you only need to pack for things that may need a touchup like hair mousse and lipstick.
If you are traveling for a while, try to eat a large meal before you go. Not only will this save you space on snacks in your bag, but also money as you won’t be stopping on the way to your destination for food. Of course, you can still pack a few travel snacks for the road.
Final thoughts
The main goal of an overnight bag is to avoid overpacking. Every item in your bag is something that you will definitely use. You may also need extra space for anything you are bringing back from your trip.
When repacking your bag, it is good to have a list of all the items in it on your phone. That way you can be sure you left nothing behind.