Long-Haul Travel Packing Tips From a Fashion Editor

Six weeks. One suitcase. Okay, maybe a carry-on too.

But yes, I was able to squeeze dozens of outfits onto a quick flight and managed to have no “outfit repeater” moments during my time away from NYC to flee the cold. By the end of my travels, I had a very clear understanding of what actually earns its place in my luggage—and what absolutely does not. Packing like an editor isn’t about owning a perfectly curated capsule wardrobe. It’s about knowing yourself well enough to anticipate what you’ll realistically wear on the daily.

I took this specific extended trip because I was in need of a break from the bustling city life and craving family time. I spend well over a month bopping between Naples, Jupiter, and Miami. As a New Yorker, I’m not used to having a car, so the fact that I rented a Buick Envista and drove around gave me a sense of freedom I’d long forgotten. This trip had a big emphasis on casual, especially since it was January, a slower month for social events. Overall, I’m so glad I took the time to pause and start the New Year right.

Over the past few years, my packing strategy has quietly shifted. I stopped thinking in terms of outfits and started thinking in terms of systems: pieces that worked together, layers that I could duplicate with different items, shoes that could handle more than one kind of day. What follows isn’t a rigid checklist—it’s the mindset and practical tricks that made living out of a suitcase not only manageable but surprisingly chic. If you have a long trip ahead, you’ll want to read this.

If you’re packing for a six-week trip, this is the day that is going to be an absolute mess. Lean into the chaos, as you’re going to need to play around with what you have in your closet to create the perfect combination of clothing for your trip. I like to lay things out that I am planning to pack based on category. A pile for sweaters, another pile for activewear, a third for swim. Then I edit down even further after that, removing anything that I can’t think of three ways to style.