How to Pack a Suitcase for a Month's Stay

A lot can happen in 30 days. It's enough time to visit a dozen countries or learn the ins and outs of one new city, cross a continent, or hunker down in a hotel room to write an entire novel. A month is also an annoyingly long time to live out of a suitcase. If you have to pack light using only a carry-on for a month-long trip, follow these travel tips to make your getaway easier.

The first rule of packing for a one-month trip? Reject any pieces that will show stains, sweat, and wrinkles after the first wear. Anything that's white, made of linen, or that has to lie flat to dry is probably too delicate for long-term travel.

Consider making a packing list before you start. It will give you the chance to list out anything you might need, and it will help you narrow down your options.

You need to pack clothes that can be worn multiple times, don't have fussy washing instructions, and won't turn into a mass of wrinkles in the suitcase.

Favor prints, which camouflage a multitude of sins. Synthetics, thin wool, and cotton/synthetic blends are all good travel fabrics. If it's not something you'll be happy to wear four or five times over the month, leave it at home.

Lay out all clothing items before finalizing any choices to make sure that the tops and bottoms you choose allow plenty of mixing and matching and to make sure you don't forget essentials.

For a one-month trip, pack a week’s worth of undergarments and pairs of socks.

Choose five or six pairs of pants.

Depending on the climate of your destination, five or six pairs of shorts would be suitable as well.

Pick out six or seven tops, including at least one long-sleeved shirt that can be worn with the sleeves rolled up.

For a sightseeing trip, this can mean three T-shirts, two neutral polo shirts or blouses, and one or two patterned button-downs. Depending on the climate of your destination, consider packing a couple of tank tops.

Add at least one sweatshirt or sweater. If you’re headed to a beach or another watery destination, pack two or three swimsuits.

Pack two pairs of pajamas and consider whether the trip will involve any dressy dinners, shows or religious/holiday services.

• If so, a man might add a pair of dress pants and a sports coat to wear over a collared shirt.
• A woman may want to add a plain black skirt to wear with a blouse, or throw in a black knit dress.

‌Don't forget outerwear‌! A water-resistant rain jacket with a hood is a suitable all-purpose choice for any destination — hot or cold.

If it's winter in your destination and the cold weather calls for it, choose a downy parka instead. It should be warm enough to protect you against snow and wind but light enough that it can be condensed into a tight bundle. For winter trips, pack a knit cap and thin wool gloves.

Finally, choose necessary shoes – usually two or three pairs. Make one a pair of sturdy, broken-in walking shoes. For the second pair, choose casual slip-on sneakers, ankle boots, ballet flats, or loafers.

Beach vacations or hostel stays call for sandals or flip flops that can get wet.

If you're packing a dressy outfit, make sure to have a pair of shoes to match.

It may be easy to wash clothes during your long vacation. Hostels often have self-service washing machines, and many nicer hotels offer laundry services for a fee. Still, having the ability to wash your own things is handy.

Bring individual packets of laundry detergent and a travel laundry kit, which should include a portable clothesline and mesh bag for washing delicates. Plug the sink or tub/shower drain, hand-wash dirty items and hang them to dry. Pack a stain stick to banish spots before they set in permanently.

Style-conscious travelers may get sick of wearing the same duds over and over, so pack a few colorful scarves or jewelry to change up your look occasionally. However, don’t bring any valuables or heirlooms in case you lose them.

Lots of sunscreen is also recommended if you know that you’ll be outdoors sightseeing.

Once you've made your choices, it's time to fill the suitcase. Packing cubes are a great packing tip for staying organized on long trips, and can be easily bought on Amazon. Cram bulky pieces into them to keep them compressed, and store shoes in them.

As you travel, use the cubes to keep dirty and clean clothes separate. How to pack the cubes depends on your travel style. Will you be moving from one hotel room to another?

Pack individual outfits, underwear and all, into separate cubes so you need to pull only a few out of your suitcase at each stop. If you plan to fully unpack in each hotel, it's probably not necessary to fill the cubes using any thoughtful organization.

For travelers who don't want to use packing cubes, start by wrapping shoes in plastic bags to protect the rest of your belongings from contamination.

Tuck shoes into the bottom corners of the carry-on bag, surrounding them with socks and undergarments, and layer folded clothing on top of them.

Pack containers of travel-size toiletries in a zippered pouch and nestle it into the center of the suitcase for cushioning. You can also put your toiletry bag in your personal item for the plane if you need to access your items easily. If so, pack things like deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hairbrush, moisturizer, prescription medications, and contact lenses towards the top of the bag so they’re easier to get out.

Make sure the suitcase zips easily, allowing room for souvenirs, chargers, and plug adapters.