After every weekend getaway, I like to (figuratively) open up my suitcase and show you what's inside - here's everything I packed for a weekend in Austin, Texas. My hope is that the items and outfits shown here will inspire you to pack a lighter bag for your next journey, reducing your burden and making your travels more effortless!
Can I be frank? I despise paying more than I have to for something, and my stubbornness comes out in full force when flying a budget airline.
A recent January trip to Austin tested my temperament a bit – not because I worried about packing for a three-night stay in a backpack-sized bag (I’ve successfully done it before, but for an even longer trip), but because I worried I’d want to bring too many things from this incredibly vibrant city home with me.
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Well, I certainly wasn’t going to pay for a carry-on bag both ways if I didn’t need it, so I grabbed my trusty Everywhere Bag (reviewed here), checked the weather, and headed to my closet.
The forecast for Austin in January was a little all over the place, ranging from a chilly 30°F to a superb 77°F. Whenever a wide-ranging forecast is predicted, I concentrate the bulk of my travel wardrobe on garments ready to handle the median temperatures. For this trip to Austin, most of the weather during waking hours was predicted to be in the upper 50s and 60s – so I pulled my trusty leather jacket, one pair of jeans, and four lightweight tops in decreasing levels of warmth.
Looking for more packing lists? Check out my packing lists by season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
I don’t always plan out my outfits day-by-day, but with the mercury expected to gradually rise, it made sense. And with my changing styles and tastes as of late, I’ve also gotten in the habit of trying on any new outfit combinations to make sure I like the way the pieces work together (have you ever had an outfit idea that looks so good in your head, but when you try it on, it just doesn’t work? It’s not a big deal when you’re home and can change easily, but I like not worrying about the way my clothes look when I travel).
A few hours after packing my bag, we were off! We departed Asheville in flurries and landed… in, well, barely warmer weather. But more on that in a moment – let’s open up this bag, shall we?
AUSTIN PACKING LIST
WHY I CHOSE THESE ITEMS
Tops
Knit Tank* | Well, it does feel really nice to be able to make and wear things that I feel good in, and this pattern helped me get there quite easily (not a knitter? That first link is for you). In an airy cotton yarn, it’s the perfect piece for those in-between days and shows a little skin in a vacation way.
White Tee* | A white tee is a classic, and I figured I could be brave and avoid any barbecue and taco spills by topping it with a bandana and my leather jacket (and *pats self on the back* I did it).
Cashmere Tee* | I thrifted this tee at a great thrift shop in Johnson City, and it made its debut on this trip (not always the best idea, but that’s why I’m sure to try things on before I leave!). The window to wear a short-sleeve sweater is, well, short – so I seized the opportunity.
Cashmere Sweater℅ | Yes, more cashmere! I have been living in this classic sweater since it arrived, and it was a no-brainer to pack it for this trip. Cozy and warm for the flight to Austin and the trip’s coldest night, but thin and light enough to pack for the way back (find my review of this sweater here, and save $20 on your first purchase when you sign up here).
Bottoms
Black Denim | Another great thrift find! These straight jeans have been a wardrobe workhorse since I picked them up a few months ago. Without room in my bag to bring two pairs of jeans, I opted to bring a black pair (in case things got messy while eating tacos!).
Outerwear
Leather Jacket* | I have a theory that there’s one leather jacket out there for everyone – you just have to find it. I found my leather jacket on a trip to NYC a few years ago, and it’s the perfect jacket for when the weather is in the 50s, as it was most of this trip.
Pajamas
Silk Tank + Silk Pants | As a person who prefers to shower at night, I can usually get away with one set of pajamas for a long weekend trip, so I reached for a set of garments made from ultra-thin silk. And, as always, I prefer to pack pieces that I wouldn’t feel embarrassed by if someone saw me in them (important as our Airbnb hosts were right next door!).
Shoes + Accessories
Bandana* | I picked up this bandana at a local event, having previously never considered just how cool a black bandana can be (and this is a lot, considering I once wrote a blog post dedicated to the humble square of cotton!).
Leather Bandana Slide | Sure, you can just tie your bandana in a knot, but why not add a chic touch of flair? Plus, this felt very Texas.
Crossbody Bag* | This has been one of my go-to travel purses for many years, as it has both a zipper and magnetic closure (bolstered by a clip as shown here) for security and can fit my digital camera. Sadly this bag is no longer made, but I’ve linked a remarkably similar one.
Belt | This belt is truly perfect; it functions as it should, and its minimal detailing means that it can fit a variety of outfits.
Sunglasses | I can’t quit buying pairs from this brand, because they truly are such a great value. This pair is ultra-lightweight, and I know I can travel without fear of breaking them because the brand offers an incredibly generous lifetime warranty.
Lugsole Loafers℅ | These shoes. They check all of the travel shoe boxes for me because they’re stylish, sturdy, comfortable, and waterproof. While I’d usually prefer to alternate shoes to give them a rest between wears, the lack of blisters tells me I made the right choice for my one-shoe trip. Sadly this pair is no longer available, but if you’re shopping any of the brand’s other pairs, you can use code WAYWARD10 to save 10%!
Not Pictured
Undergarments | For this trip, I refrained from packing my entire underwear drawer (a very difficult thing to do!) and packed a realistic number of undies, one bra, and two base-layer tank tops.
Socks | Since I only brought one pair of shoes, a few pairs of ultra-thin no-show socks and a trusty pair of compression socks to reduce swelling on the flight were all I needed.
Jewelry | I ended up wearing the same set (necklace*, earrings, and rings) for the entire trip, placing it all on my nightstand to store while I slept.
Toiletries | I packed an edited version of my makeup routine and my “dry” toiletries in this malleable dopp kit and reused a disposable plastic zip-top quart bag to maximize space for my liquid toiletries (most of which were sample packets).
Electronics | Regretfully, I packed my laptop, although it went unused. I did make use of both my corded phone charger and wireless charger while out and about, however.
Packable Tote | Although we didn’t end up needing it, I made a last-minute decision to toss in this compact tote bag. Why? While I’m not a big destination shopper, Austin is a great city for food and thrifting. On the off-chance we bought enough to warrant purchasing a carry-on bag, I wanted to be ready.
Curling Iron | Although our Airbnb provided a hair dryer, I always need an extra heat tool to finish styling my hair. This is my current go-to and it fits in the “umbrella” pocket of my bag, but I’m hoping to try a more compact version soon.
AUSTIN OUTFITS
*this item is no longer available and I've linked a similar product
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PACKING FOR AUSTIN
I know that dressing in neutrals isn’t everyone’s jam, but the silhouettes, layers, and textures of this packing list feel very of the moment in this, the year of our Lord 2023 – and also very Austin. With a little more room (or a slightly less-casual itinerary), I might have added in a cozy dress, tights, and boots to change things up a bit; otherwise, my one-jean/one-shoe packing list was the most practical route to take given the airline’s limited luggage space.
The temperatures stayed pretty true to the mid-January forecast, and except for feeling a little chilly (even in my cashmere sweater) upon arrival, I felt quite comfortable the entire time. If I were to repeat this trip, I’d gladly reach for these very same items.
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How comfortable do you feel packing for a trip with just a small bag? Is it an easy ask, or does it feel impossible?
