How to pack for a week in a backpack

Aimee Boudreaux MacIver
6 days ago
3 min read

While some dread packing for a trip, I love it. I have always gravitated toward minimalism and find it crazy satisfying to streamline everything from my phone homescreen to my email inbox to my wardrobe. For me, it's calming and comforting to shed the noise of clutter. A chance to consolidate all you need into one gloriously minimal backpack? Yes, please!

Packing light frees you from heavy luggage and checked baggage fees, but also from the internal clutter of having to manage stuff. With a little packing strategy, you can save your time and energy for even better things. Plus, the better you feel, the more able you will be to stop thinking about how you look and wholly immerse yourself in the present moment.

Here’s how to pack a week of easy, comfortable, beautiful outfits that fit into one backpack.

What to pack for a week in a backpack:

Silk scarf: The greatest bang for your style buck: a great scarf. Twist it around your neck in a hundred different ways, tie it onto your bag, or wear it in your hair.
Striped cashmere cardigan: An always-cool stripe in a fresh texture and cut adds versatile French girl vibes; cashmere also packs extremely well and resists wrinkles and odor.
Knit cardigan: This pretty sweater is both feminine and interesting (love the round collar and covered buttons!). The cream color functions as a refined neutral that adds more light to your face than black.
Caramel belt: The perfect easy-packing accessory to finish everything.
Leather convertible bag: The caramel colorway gives this high-quality bag timeless versatility. I love that it has a top-handle strap for more elegant outfits, plus a cross-body strap for convenience during the day.
Ruffle linen button up: This beautiful piece is like wearable springtime.
Straight leg jeans: I haven't loved recent denim trends: the threat of low-rise returning, the uber baggy silhouette, cargos. This straight cut pair looks great on everyone and pairs perfectly with flat travel shoes and sneakers. They feel well-made yet cost far less than the insane $200 norm for quality denim. I also have and love the ribcage bells when I'm wearing a heel.
Slip skirt: How do I love thee, slip skirts? Let me count the ways. Packs light, looks great with sneakers or heels, tees or jackets, crosses seasons, flatters every body, and barely wrinkles rolled up in your backpack. This color is beautiful and the maxi length is so chic.
Barrel chinos: A universally flattering cut that’s trend-adjacent without being try-hard or gimmicky. I love the subtle tucks at the waistband and cropped cut. The fabric elevates everything just enough.
Woven mary janes: I dislike buying shoes that aren't constructed of "real" materials because they don't last as long and I have found them difficult for my problem feet. However, these vegan leather mary jane flats are adorable and on-trend while accommodating my orthotics. They're soft, stretchy, adjustable, and come in wide widths and several colors. The soles aren't great—a little slippery and thin—but I found adding sole protectors solved that issue. I have become obsessed with them and bring them on most trips. They're even comfortable for my long, long walks! I pair them with these excellent no-show socks.
Gold-tone knot earrings: These sweet knots will never go out of style and can pair with jeans or dresses. They look especially lovely with a low bun hairstyle.
Low profile sneakers: Nothing is more travel essential than comfortable shoes, and minimalist sneakers are the queen of versatility. Wear this affordable leather pair with every single thing you own.
And of course, don't forget the perfect travel backpack that I never travel without.

My number-one tip for how to design a packing list

Finally, remember these two more strategies for packing minimally, with versatility and style:

Identify how you want to feel on your trip—casual chic? date-nightish? funky? colorful? minimal? fancy? sporty? If your trip will include special photos, try to identify how you want to feel in those, too. If you focus on how you want to feel on your trip, this will help you streamline and eliminate pieces that don't serve this end, as well as avoid random packing, overpacking, and unnecessary panic-shopping (aka overspending).
Draw your potential packing list and then draw all the outfits you can make with those pieces. I make packing sketches for our trips, and I always end up taking several things out of my bags when I realize how little I need to make lots of great combinations. Bonus: your packing sketch will be a sweet souvenir.