Your Essential Guide To Minimalist Packing

Nothing dampers that euphoric pre-vacation rush like the sting of a heavy suitcase digging into your thigh or the words "your bag is overweight." Here's the ultimate guide to decluttering your case of duds and adopting a more minimalist packing mentality. Bookmark it now, read it before your next takeoff, and prepare for a beautiful trip—without the baggage.

Get as specific as possible and map out all the clothes, toiletries, and knickknacks you'll need before you even pull out your suitcase. Check in with this fun "Pack This" pads if you feel like you're missing something. This more prescriptive approach to packing will keep your mind from wandering as you rummage through your clothes and ensure you don't needlessly pack something just because it looks cute.

Outdoor adventurer Kristin McLane has traversed the entire Pacific Crest Trail with only a backpack in tow, so it's safe to say she knows a thing or two about resourceful packing. "My main tip for packing as a minimalist is that every item should be multifunctional," she tells mindbodygreen. "A sarong could be a dress, skirt, towel, or scarf. A bandana could be a washcloth, towel, or headscarf. If there is something that will only get used one time, don't bring it."

Take a nod from fashion icons like Vera Wang and Norma Kamali and visionaries like Mark Zuckerberg and give uniform dressing (wearing the same look multiple days in a row) a try on your next vaycay. This will mean less to lug around and fewer decisions to make in the mornings. Pack neutral pieces that pair nicely and wear them with a good shoe. Shoes take up a ton of valuable suitcase real estate, but stuffing smaller items inside them can be a space-saver.

"As a backpacker, I have one outfit for hiking and one for sleeping," says Kristin. "I wear my rain jacket and pants while laundering my two outfits in towns." If she can find a washer and dryer on her treks through remote parts of the country, chances are you can track them down on your travels. Avoid dry-clean-only pieces and opt for quick-dry fabrics that won't put up a fuss in the machine. According to travel expert Ella Chase, who is currently taking a yearlong trip around the world, dryer sheets are a must. She puts them in shoes, dirty laundry bags, or anything she wants to quickly freshen up on the road.

Once you've landed on what to bring, try out this genius folding how-to from one of mbg's favorite bloggers, Joanna Goddard of Cup of Jo. Not only will it help keep your clothes compact, but it will leave them wrinkle-free.

The smaller the bag, the less you'll be tempted to pack. Here's some of the durable, not-too-big, not-too-small luggage the mbg editors are traveling with:

This sample packing list from Brooke McAlary, the Sydney-based travel and lifestyle blogger behind Slow Your Home, is full of clever multipurpose items. It's a great jumping-off point for your next warm-weather longweekend away. "The simpler I make my packing, the more I enjoy my trip," Brooke tells mindbodygreen. "There are fewer choices, which is always a good thing when I'm on holidays. Because, let's face it, sometimes all I want to worry about is the question of 'What do I want for breakfast?'"

Here's how this list translates to more wintry locales.

Happy travels!