One of the best pieces of advice I can give you is to pack light. You never need as much as you think you do, especially when it comes to clothes and shoes. If you’re going to pack something “just in case you might need it,” then leave it at home.

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Overpacking is one of the things travelers say stresses them out the most. Whether you have an entire car or just a carry-on bag, you need to be mindful of what you pack.

Here are the best ways to avoid overpacking for a trip!

Make a checklist. Starting a few days before your trip, write down everything you’re going to need. This will help you plan outfits, keep from packing duplicate items, and not forget anything.

Practice lifting your carry-on bag over your head. On a plane, you’ll have to be able to lift your bag over your head into the luggage bin. So if you can barely lift your suitcase from the floor to your bed, then you’ve packed too much.

Choose the right suitcase. The larger the suitcase, the more stuff you’re going to want to bring, and the heavier your bag will be. You’ll have to carry and lift your suitcase, fit it in a rental car, or navigate it on public transportation. So the smaller the bag, the better.

Check out my favorite luggage, bags, and tags, and always bring the smallest bag you can.

Only bring clothes that you can mix and match. If you can’t wear something with more than one outfit, then leave it behind. Solid colors are great choices because they usually go together well. Then bring just a couple of color or print clothing items.

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Use packing cubes to save space in your suitcase. I also recommend getting small organizing bags for your toiletries, makeup, cords, and jewelry. You should also bring a laundry bag to keep your clean and dirty clothes separate.

Roll your clothes. This will keep your shirts, pants, dresses, etc., wrinkle-free and will make sure they take up as little space in your suitcase as possible.

Minimize your accessories. Only bring a couple of scarves, belts, and jewelry pieces that will go with everything.

Bring travel-size toiletries – shampoo, lotion, contact solution, makeup, toothpaste, etc.

Don’t bring more than three pairs of shoes. Yes, you read that right. Only choose your best three pairs of shoes for your trip. You’ll want good walking shoes, sandals if it’s hot or boots if it’s cold, and a third of your choice (but choose wisely)!

Only pack half. Lay out all the clothes you want to bring, then only pack half. If you laid out six pairs of pants, only take three. If you’ve got four sweaters, only bring two. Your back and arms will thank you later!

Use a pill organizer for your vitamins or medication to keep from packing individual bottles.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane. Jackets, boots, and hats can take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so wear them on the plane to save space. I always wear a few layers when I fly to avoid overpacking and make sure I can be comfortable no matter how cold or hot the plane is.

Coordinate items with your traveling companions. If you’re traveling with a group or a friend, plan ahead so that you don’t double up on sunscreen, feminine products, toiletries, and other items you’ll all need.

Pack your favorite clothes. If you never wear something at home, then you won’t wear it on a trip. Only bring items that you know are comfortable and that you like to wear.

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Do you have more ways to avoid overpacking for a trip? If so, share with us in the comments!

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This is not a sponsored post, and, as always, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this article about ways to avoid overpacking for a trip are entirely my own. Some of the links in this article about ways to avoid overpacking for a trip are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission.