How to blend work and vacation without luggage overload
Key Points:
- Travel expert shares professional advice on how to efficiently pack for hybrid business and leisure – or ‘bleisure’ – trips without checking bags
- Dr. Steve Burgess provides simple solutions for balancing professional and casual needs, from versatile clothing choices to tech optimisation and strategic toiletry selection
- Expert warns most travellers overpack by at least 30%, suggesting a “wear it twice” approach for longer trips
The rising popularity of “bleisure” trips—combining business travel with leisure time—has created a new challenge for professionals: how to pack efficiently for both work obligations and vacation fun. With airlines charging increasing amounts for checked bags and the hassle of lugging multiple suitcases through airports, mastering the art of packing light has become an important skill to have.
“Most travellers bring far more than they actually need,” says Dr. Steve Burgess, CEO and founder of CME Vacations, a company specialising in organising Continuing Medical Education conferences in vacation destinations. “The key is being strategic about what you pack and how you pack it.”
Drawing on his experience organising hundreds of work-and-play trips for healthcare professionals, Dr. Burgess shares his top tips for packing light without sacrificing either professional polish or vacation enjoyment.
1. Pack A Colour-Coordinated Capsule Wardrobe
The foundation of light packing is creating a versatile capsule wardrobe where everything matches. “Choose a base neutral colour like navy, black, or grey for your professional items, then add one or two accent colours that work across both casual and business settings,” advises Dr. Burgess. “This way, a blazer that looks professional with slacks during your meeting can be paired with jeans for evening drinks.”
For a weeklong trip, aim for no more than three pairs of pants/skirts, five tops, one jacket, and one dress (if applicable). Each item should be able to create at least three different outfits when mixed with other pieces.
2. Choose Double-Duty Shoes
“Shoes are often the heaviest items in a suitcase and take up the most space,” says Dr. Burgess. “Limit yourself to two pairs: comfortable dress shoes that can handle a full day of walking, and a casual option like sleek sneakers that work for both sightseeing and casual dinners.”
Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane to save luggage space, and stuff socks and small items inside your packed shoes to maximise every inch of space.
3. Embrace Wrinkle-Resistant Fabrics
Nothing says ‘I’m living out of a suitcase’ like wrinkled clothing. “Synthetic blends, merino wool, and modern performance fabrics resist wrinkles and can often be worn multiple times without washing,” notes Dr. Burgess. “They also dry quickly if you need to wash something in your hotel sink.”
These technical fabrics have come a long way—many now look as polished as traditional materials but perform much better for travellers.
4. Streamline Your Tech
“Most people pack too many gadgets,” says Dr. Burgess. “Before adding any tech to your bag, ask if it serves multiple purposes.”
A tablet with a keyboard case can replace a laptop for many tasks. A smartphone can be your camera, e-reader, and entertainment system. Pack a single universal adapter rather than multiple chargers, and consider a multi-port USB charger to power several devices with one outlet.
5. Miniaturise Your Toiletries
“Hotel toiletries have improved dramatically in recent years, yet travellers still pack full-size products they don’t need,” Dr. Burgess points out. “Take advantage of what your accommodation provides and only pack specialised items.”
For must-bring products, transfer them to small containers or buy travel sizes. Solid toiletries like shampoo bars and solid cologne save significant space and eliminate the risk of liquids leaking in your bag.
6. Use Packing Cubes Strategically
Packing cubes are more than simply organisational tools—they’re space savers. “I organise my cubes by outfit type: one for workout clothes, one for professional attire, one for casual wear,” explains Dr. Burgess. “This both compresses your clothing and makes it easy to find what you need without unpacking everything.”
The compression feature of quality packing cubes can reduce the volume of your clothes by up to 20%.
7. Apply The “Wear It Twice” Rule
For trips longer than three days, plan to wear most items twice. “Obviously not undergarments, but pants, skirts, and jackets can easily be worn multiple times,” says Dr. Burgess. “Just pack enough tops to stay fresh, and perhaps throw in a travel-size fabric refresher spray for quick touch-ups.”
This approach cuts your clothing needs nearly in half. For longer trips, consider using hotel laundry services or finding a local laundromat for a midway refresh rather than packing for every day.
Dr. Steve Burgess, CEO and Founder of CME Vacations, commented:
“In my line of work, I’ve observed that most travellers overpack by around 30%. The biggest culprits are ‘just in case’ items that rarely get used—that extra pair of dress shoes, the outfit for an unlikely scenario, or bulky accessories that don’t pull their weight in versatility.
“Weather over-preparation is another common trap. Rather than packing for every possible temperature and condition, a better approach is bringing versatile layers and perhaps one packable rain jacket. Remember – most destinations have stores where you can buy anything you truly need.
“I think the most impactful change travellers can make is adopting the ‘wear it twice’ mindset. When you accept that pants, skirts, and outer layers don’t need daily changes, your packing needs drop dramatically. This approach lightens both your physical load and the mental weight of managing too many possessions while travelling.
“The ultimate goal of packing light isn’t just to avoid baggage fees—it’s the freedom that comes with mobility. Being able to navigate public transport easily, change accommodations without hassle, and spend less time managing your stuff means more time actually enjoying both the work and play aspects of your trip.”
