How to fit three months worth of clothes into a carry-on suitcase – including essential packing hack & outfit rule
IF you have a holiday coming up but don't want to fork out extortionate airline fees for checked baggage, you may be wondering how you're going to fit all your clothes into hand luggage.
But fear not, as one seasoned traveller has revealed how she crams a staggering three months worth of clothes into a single carry-on bag.
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Digital nomad Leona Marlene sold all of her belongings to travel the world five years ago and is still going strong.
Her jetsetting lifestyle has taught her how to cram heaps of clothes into hand luggage bags.
Leona's key is sticking to a colour palette.
'In order to travel light, you need to stick to a colour palette,' she revealed in a YouTube tutorial.
'That way, it's easy to mix and match, and get comfortable with rewearing your clothes.'
When it comes to actually packing bags, she uses packing cubes and always wears her bulkier items onto the plane.
Leona also uses a mix of rolling and folding to maximise how much she can fit in her hand luggage - and she packs every cube to fit a different category to ensure organisation.
'I love rolling or folding my clothes in packaging cubes since it helps eliminate empty space and makes the most of every inch,' she said.
In 2024, the British public spent approximately £205 million on overweight baggage fees, with a staggering 7.32 million travellers paying between £12 and £65 each in additional charges.
It doesn't take much to tip the scales, though.
The average pair of trainers weighs 1–1.5kg, which could be enough to push your suitcase over the weight limit and mean an instant surcharge.
Budget airlines like easyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair charge £12 per kilo for bags that exceed the weight limit, while TUI hikes that to £14–£18 per kilo.
Other airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and British Airways apply steep flat fees. Virgin's overweight baggage fee is £65, while oversized baggage is a whopping £200.
Six Top Tips to Avoid Excess Baggage Charges
If you absolutely have to book a suitcase to go in the hold, the experts at Yorkshire-based fashion and homeware retailer Joe Browns shared their six key tips for packing smarter to avoid extra charges.
Focus on essentials that can serve multiple purposes. Prioritise versatility over volume to avoid overpacking.
If you're packing bulky trainers or thick knits, wear them on the plane to save space in your luggage.
Before packing, consider how each item works together to create multiple combinations. Planning mix-and-match looks helps you travel lighter and stay effortlessly stylish throughout your trip.
Rather than packing extra "just-in-case" items, opt for layers that can be added or removed depending on the weather.
Use a handheld luggage scale at home to avoid surprise charges at the airport.
Streamline your holiday beauty routine by choosing multi-use products or minis. It's a great excuse to keep things low-maintenance and leaves room for that one outfit you just couldn't leave behind.
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