How I Pack a Weekend in One Carry-On

I used to overpack out of fear. Now I pack from a list, and the list has not changed in three years.

Start with the shoes

Two pairs: one you can walk a city in, one that looks like you tried. Everything else is decided around them.

The three-piece wardrobe

A silk slip, a knit, and one good wrap. Those three mix into six outfits and take up the space of a paperback.

The bag that does the work

My weekender is full-grain leather and I do not baby it. It has been under seats, in overhead bins, and rained on. It looks better for it.

The one thing I never skip

A mini of my night cream and a lip tint in my bag. Everything else can be bought at the airport.

Pack less. Wear it more. That is the whole trick.