How to Pack a Bag for a Weekend Getaway (Without Bringing Your Entire Closet)

Kim-The Seasoned Lady
May 24
3 min read

With our ongoing discovery of out-of-the way — and often nearby — getaway spots, I thought we would stop and do a short and fun "how to" improve our packing. Honestly, I rarely get it right, most times I am a complete over-packer, or forget two key must-haves. So, I did some digging and this is a summary report on what some of the "experts" out there are saying.

There comes a point in a woman’s life where we THINK we have packing down to an art form—and yet somehow, the temptation to bring eight pairs of shoes for a three-day trip still lingers. Let’s fix that, shall we?

Whether you’re escaping to hill country, hitting the beach, or checking into a cozy cabin with your favorite people (or finally by yourself), here’s how to pack like the seasoned, stylish woman you are—with room left over for souvenirs and sanity.

Plan Your Outfits, Not Just Your Options

Gone are the days of "just in case" packing. For a two-night trip, you realistically need:

2 casual daytime outfits
1 dressier evening look
1 comfy travel outfit
Pajamas and underthings
A lightweight sweater or jacket

Build a mini capsule wardrobe around one color scheme (hello, black & tan or navy & white), and make sure everything mixes and matches. You want pieces that can play nice together and pull double duty.

Shoes: Be Ruthless

This is where most of us go astray. You only need:

1 comfy pair (sneakers, flats, or sandals depending on the trip)
1 stylish pair for dinner or photos
Optional: flip-flops if there’s a pool or spa

Three max. That’s it. Yes, even if they’re all cute. Your back and your baggage fees will thank you.

The “Seasoned Lady Essentials” Pouch

Keep a small zip pouch stocked with travel-sized versions of your holy grails:

A nourishing face oil or moisturizer
A mini perfume (or a rollerball of your signature scent)
Lip balm and your favorite lip color
A few pills for headaches, digestion, or hormones being hormonal
A good book or Kindle (scrolling is not relaxing, darling)

Don’t forget your charger and that power bank you always mean to bring. This time, actually pack it.

Pack it Like You Mean It

Use packing cubes if that’s your jam, or just roll your clothes to save space and avoid creases. Place heavier items at the bottom near the wheels (if using a rolling bag), and keep your must-haves (meds, makeup, undies) near the top or in your carry-on.

One Wild Card

Leave a little space for one thing that brings you joy. A satin robe. A travel candle. That journal you’ve been ignoring. Your weekend bag should hold room not just for your essentials—but for your experience.

Final Note from a Seasoned Suitcase-Slinger: Packing light doesn’t mean packing boring. It means making space for ease, spontaneity, and maybe a last-minute antique shop find. So leave the stress at home. Bring only what serves you, flatters you, or delights you.

IF it helps, you can find some of the packing items mentioned above at the links below. I may be paid a small affiliate fee at no additional charge to yourself if you purchase with these links. These items are all ones that I have had for more than a year and used multiple times. Photos first, links below