How to Pack For Multiple Trips in 1 Carry-On Suitcase

This common-sense tip is also the most frequently skipped. But writing out a list helps you to organize exactly what you're going to wear each day and to select versatile items that you can wear two to three times. While there may not be a ton of overlap between business clothes and wedding attire, there are accessories or makeup products that can straddle both trips. By writing it down, you're focused on the things you NEED, not the things you MAY need.

When packing for multiple trips, I separate my clothes into three piles: trip number one only, trip number two only, and trip numbers one and two. All of my clothes — including underwear, socks, and workout gear — go in their respective packing cube along with a plastic shopping bag. When I'm at my first destination, I only unpack from those packing cubes, and I leave the other ones alone. Because space is usually tight in my suitcase, I'll place dirty clothes inside the plastic bag and stuff it inside my packing cube so I can repack without any problems.

My foolproof accessory math rule (three pairs of shoes, two bags, one scarf/pair of sunglasses/hat each) is especially key for packing for multiple trips. I recommend selecting your shoes before your outfits — a gold pump is perfect for a rehearsal dinner but all wrong for a conference. Shoes can take up the most room in your suitcase. By limiting them to three and planning your outfits around them, you're setting yourself up for carry-on success.

Your personal item (tote or backpack) can either maximize your luggage or literally weigh you down with things you'll never need. Whatever you pack should be what you absolutely NEED: your laptop for work, reading material, a lipstick for touch-ups. Do you really need to bring two pairs of headphones or three books? Are you actually going to watch anything on your tablet or will your computer suffice? When you pack the bare essentials, you have extra room to pack the things you may actually need, like additional makeup, a second clutch, or your liquids bag so you can breeze through security.

You can find more tips and tricks on packing the perfect carry-on in How to Pack and on my blog, Hitha on the Go. Keep calm, and always carry on!