Sharing my ultra-light packing list for a summer weekend getaway in Rochester, New York
This might just be my smallest pack ever (not just in the history of the blog, but ever) with four days/three nights in a tote bag. Until a recent weekend in Rochester, New York, there was a tie for my lightest packing list: a two-day weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth, packed in the aforementioned tote, and five days/four nights in San Francisco, packed in a slightly larger personal item.
What was I thinking? Was I giving myself some kind of self-imposed minimalism challenge to see how little I could pack for a long weekend away?
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I wish.
(actually, no I don’t – it’s good to flex your packing muscles now and then, but I don’t think it’s worth it to place extra stress on yourself “just because”).
My packing list for Rochester was so light because I was flying Avelo Airlines, a budget carrier with the most stringent baggage restrictions I’ve encountered in all my traveling years.
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Check out my packing lists by season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
Sure, I could have added a carry-on bag to my ticket, but it would have essentially doubled the cost of my fare. Far preferring to spend that $86 on other things, I reached for my trusty zippered tote and started filling it with some of my favorite travel-friendly garments:
ROCHESTER PACKING LIST
WHY I CHOSE THESE ITEMS
How do you pack for four days in a small tote bag? By focusing on four elements: fabric, versatility, compactness, and simple math.
Fabric: Lightweight, breathable, natural fibers are our friends here. I know, I know – your favorite athleisure wear dries quickly and doesn’t wrinkle. But synthetic fibers hold odor like a magnet, rendering them unwearable a second time. With ultra-limited space, I relied heavily on wool clothing to get me through. It doesn’t hold odors and doesn’t need washing as frequently (perfect for re-wearing, as I once discovered after getting stranded with only a wool dress for six days). Wool is basically a traveler’s best friend!
Versatility: Two items in this packing list can be worn multiple ways, making the whole thing feel a little less boring. This wool tank℅ (reviewed here)can be worn with the V in the front or the back, a seemingly-subtle shift that can change the outfit entirely. And this bag can be worn as a shoulder bag, crossbody, belt bag, or clutch with just a quick change of the strap (bonus – the strap can be worn as a belt, too!).
Compactness: As much as I’ve enjoyed welcoming the shift to wider silhouettes over the past few years (relaxed jeans, chunky shoes), the reality is they take up a lot of room. For my Rochester packing list, I lined the bottom of my tote with my thinnest pair of sandals and chose a pajama top and bottoms℅ that wouldn’t take up too much valuable real estate. As for the most substantial items (wool culottes℅, trench*, sneakers℅), wearing them on the plane is the ticket.
Math: Two tops + two bottoms + one dress + two shoes + one coat = the mix-and-match formula I landed on for this trip. Making sure each garment can be paired with all others takes the challenge out of getting dressed each day, and expands the number of possible outfit combinations (of course, this all begins at home with a versatile wardrobe – head here for a list of my style reviews sorted by brand).
So, how did it all come together? Here’s what my weekend in Rochester looked like, outfit by outfit:
ROCHESTER OUTFIT PHOTOS
*this item is no longer available and a similar product is linked
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS PACKING LIST AND WHAT TO PACK FOR ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
I feel extremely fortunate that our weekend in Rochester fell during a period of beautiful weather in July (Rochester’s winters are a different story!). Warm days and cool evenings beckoned us outside, yet the temperatures never rose to the point of sweating. This meant I could comfortably rewear everything in my tote (well, except for underwear, of course!) without needing to wash anything between wears.
Despite wearing the same few pieces all weekend long, carefully considered accessories helped keep each outfit feeling fresh and new. Switching from strappy sandals to sneakers makes a big difference in the overall vibe of an outfit, as does switching from a ladylike shoulder bag to a sportier belt bag worn across the chest. Instead of packing a jewelry case, I wore everything on the plane and switched pieces out as I felt like it. And a favorite bandana took up exactly zero room in my tote but offered a fun pop of color when I felt like skipping a necklace for the day.
As for the local style, I was surprised to see quite a bit of alternative and grunge wear around town, in addition to the usual casual jeans-and-a-tee or athletic wear that is pretty prevalent in the U.S. these days. Black tees, studded belts, and Doc Martens were on nearly every corner of downtown Rochester each evening. If this is your style and you haven’t reached for some of these pieces in a while, go ahead and grab your favorite Hot Topic finds out of the back of your closet to wear while visiting.
Overall, despite the limited clothing I had access to, I felt extremely comfortable during my time in Rochester. For anyone on the fence about traveling solely with a personal item, I highly encourage you to give it a try – you might just be surprised by how nice it feels to be unburdened of your belongings!
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Questions for you
What is the smallest bag you’ve ever packed?
What is your favorite fabric for travel?
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