How to Successfully Pack for Multiple Seasons

People often want to know how I live out a suit case, in various locations. Read this post to learn how to pack for multiple seasons, and how to pack for longer term trips.

Let’s be real, a weekend getaway is hard enough to pack for. So when it comes to longer trips, you might have to pack for multiple seasons. That can seem daunting to say the least.  Impossible to some. 

Well, I can tell you that I have been there. When I joined Remote year in 2018, I had to pack a bag for a year-long journey that was in literally every season. From snow to extreme heat to rain and then back.

I also didn’t realize that I would not be returning after a year, and would instead be choosing to live out of said suitcase, indefinitely. 

If you want to learn what to pack for multiple seasons, or for a long trip in general, this post is for you. Below are some trusty tips I learned pretty quickly into my journey:

1. Everything You Pack Should be Multi-purpose

This is really the easiest way to know if something you’re packing should make it into the final cut. Essentially, nothing you pack should have one use. If you’re going on a year long journey like I was, a ridiculous pair of heels or a really nice ski jacket with no mountain trips in the cards, are stupid things to pack. 

Also, most items that aren’t multi-purpose ironically seem to take up the most space. Trust me, I know this is hard. My prior wardrobe consisted of extremely girly, bright, floral dresses and then athletic wear. There was no in between. I had to re-evaluate. 

I choose dresses for the day and as beach cover ups, and day dresses I can also wear to the club. Tops that are nice for the co-working space, and for dinner. Basic shirts and athletic pants that I can wear to exercise, but also to the grocery store or movie nights. Sadly, I had to say goodbye to my craziest pairs of leggings after realizing that vibrant leggings as pants is not a thing abroad, like in the U.S. 

Ultimately, the less purpose an item provides, the less times that type of item gets packed. You shouldn’t bring one pair of jeans but 15 dresses if you’re having to pack for multiple seasons. There are some things you definitely need more of, because you wear them more, so they will wear out first.

 I packed a full week’s worth of workout clothes and multiple pairs of pants. You only need one of each kind, though, for things like jackets and shoes, if good quality. These things are meant to be worn repeatedly, and last. 

2. Stick to the Basics

This goes into the second most important thing- pack the basics. The more solid, neutral colors you can bring, the better. I made the mistake of bringing one pair of jeans and within two months, they completely disintegrated. What you wear everyday should be repeated more than once in your suitcase. 

While I struggled to put away my fun and unique dresses and bright patterned tops, it really paid off to pack the more “boring” colors. You can match almost anything in your bag, and it allows you to repurpose things more easily. 

You should also definitely prioritize your underwear, bras, socks and lounge wear. These are things we often forget about, but we need. I have literally packed two weeks worth of underwear and somehow, after using so many different laundry services and machines, I always end up losing at least ⅓ of my socks and underwear. Prioritize these items as they are also the hardest to replace. 

3. Pack a Few Versatile Statement Pieces 

That being said, there is always room for some fun in your suitcase. You should bring a few statement pieces that are essential to your style but that can also be multi-purpose. If you have a jacket that you love that is vibrant, patterned and unique but can also be thrown over just about anything, bring it. 

It’s best if your statement pieces are accessories, like your bags, shoes, jackets and jewelry so they can be paired with everything. This is easy if you stuck to the basics and packed neutral, classic items. 

If you include some items that pop and that you love, in your suitcase, you’ll be much happier with your wardrobe during your travels . You also won’t get as bored with your closet and tempted to shop.

4. Limit the Heaviest Items to Essentials

You do not need five different jackets. You do not need seven pairs of shoes. Remember- if you’re going on any crazy excursions like snowboarding, or hiking Machu Picchu, you can get the items you need by renting when the time comes. You don’t need to lug around all your equipment during your travels for something that’s happening once. 

Be strategic when you have to pack for multiple seasons. If you’re in one cold place and the rest are more neutral, don’t bring a huge parka. Bring a small fleece lined jacket to layer. Once there, pick up a cheap coat and scarf at a thrift store that you won’t mind discarding when you leave the cold. Bring only jackets that can fit multiple climates. 

If you know you’re going to be in say, Asia, for most of the time and beach cities, maybe don’t bring three different pairs of boots. Pick one, and bring versatile sandals and slip ons for the rest. 

You need to use your best Marie Kondo impression when it comes to the heavier items because they will rack up the weight fast. If you over pack on these, you’ll realize once traveling that you truly only use 1-2 pairs of shoes and maybe one jacket. Plus, these are usually items we love and it sucks to have to throw out nice jackets that you shouldn’t have packed to begin with.

5. Invest in Packing Cubes

Having an organized bag is everything especially when you’re on long flights and changing hotels and Airbnb’s frequently. If you’re not even unpacking in some places, then you shouldn’t be having to turn your bag upside down at every location. 

Packing cubes are your saving grace when you need to pack for multiple seasons. You can use them to organize everything and find things easily. All your underwear in one cube, your socks in the other, your toiletries over there, and vitamins in the next.

Whatever makes sense for you, use these extremely lightweight cubes to make your life so much easier. You can order them easily on Amazon. 

6. Toiletries: Travel Size vs. Full Size

I have mixed feelings about this after traveling for over two years. I started off with travel size everything. That meant within a month of my journey, I was out of everything.

Was travel size really saving me that much weight? Some things really cannot be replaced easily. Some things can, and even better, they are fun to replace with local products. 

What I’ve come to conclude is that for things like special shampoos and conditioners, just bring the full size bottle. It will last you way longer and it’s so much harder to replace.

Depending on where you go, finding “travel size” replacements isn’t a thing, so you’ll probably just end up having to buy a full size bottle next anyways. If you use leave-in conditioner and special hair products, this will also be very hard to find, so opt for the full size. 

For other things, like body washes- consider making the swap to bar soap. It saves you weight, and it’s the easiest to find everywhere you go. Especially if you’re into using natural products, finding good quality liquid castile soap was impossible outside of Europe. So I switched to natural bar soaps which I now prefer. Plus, no plastic. 

Everything else- lotion, deodorant, tooth paste, mouth wash, etc, you should have no problem replacing these regularly wherever you go. For those, pack the travel size and save space for the things you need. 

7. Consider Local Shopping and Accessibility 

There are some things you really can’t find abroad, and there are some things you definitely can. Pack what you need, but don’t pack what you don’t. In order to pack for multiple seasons, you have to be smart about what goes into your suitcase to make the weight limit.

When it comes to vitamins and supplements, you are going to struggle in most locations. If you rely on these, bring them with you. Obviously, if you take any medication, you should be well stocked up for the entire duration of your travel before you head out. You should definitely research the laws in the countries you’re going to to ensure they won’t be tossing your prescriptions at the border. 

Things like snacks and food items should really not be included in your bag. If you can’t eat the local food of the places you’re going, you may need to re-evaluate your travels.

If you just want to bring some stuff for the flight, that’s fine- put it in your carry-on. But don’t pack a bunch of chips, and granola bars and things you could definitely replace overseas.

Additionally, if you know you’re going to want to do a little shopping, you better leave room in your suitcase from the get go. I have a rule now- buy one thing, throw one out. I have almost no wiggle room at this point on the weight limit. This has forced me to quit shopping, but when I do, or need to replace things, I actually have to truly replace them.

So if you know you’re going to want to go crazy on the dresses in Thailand, or the custom tailors in Vietnam, or the boots in Europe, plan ahead. You better leave that spot empty in your suitcase for your future purchases or be prepared to part with what you brought. 

8. Prioritize What You Use Everyday 

We often just focus on clothes and toiletries when packing. If you’re going on a long trip though, you need to think about the other things you need in your day to day life.

For me, that was my home workout gear. Exercise is a huge part of my life, and I know that I can’t just rely on every city and country to have a gym I want to join. Especially if I’m bouncing around locations frequently. 

If you’re traveling in multiple seasons, you also can’t guarantee that you’ll have the appropriate space and accessibility to workout. If you’re runner and it’s the dead of winter in Prague or the middle of Summer in Thailand, you cannot run outside in those conditions.

I chose to invest in a travel yoga mat, and some travel workout equipment. It is still the most important thing I packed. Same goes for my travel blender, as someone who really only drinks smoothies for breakfast. 

In total, these items add about 2-3 lbs to my luggage. About the same as a pair of shoes. They have come in handy every single day though, and making room for these was essential. 

So, think about what you use and do every single day and then see what is something you literally have to pack and bring with you. Then find the travel or lightweight version of it and make space in your suitcase. 

9. Organize By Season

If you want to get really OCD, organize your suitcase in order of the seasons of the places you are going. So- if you’re starting in a tropical climate and heading to a wintery one soon after, put the heavy jackets and jeans on the bottom. Leave all your summer dresses, sandals and swimsuits at the top. This way you can just grab what you need without dumping out your entire suitcase. 

Before packing your bag, lay your clothes out according to category and take inventory. Do you have too much of one thing? Are you packing  mainly winter clothes when you only have one winter destination in the line up?

Did you forget a pair of boots and only bring flip flops? Do you have five sweaters but one dress? If you visually see how much of each thing you’re bringing, you can see your blind spots, and what crucial items you forgot. This is essential when you pack for multiple seasons or you may just forget your bikini or rain jacket.

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