Okay, real talk. This post has been sitting on my to-do list for a while.
I get this question pretty regularly: “Aimara, your packing tips are great, but do they actually work if you’re not a smaller size? Is carry-on travel even realistic for me?”
And it’s a question I really wanted to answer thoughtfully — because here’s where I stand: this is not my personal experience. I’m a size small, and I don’t want to pretend I have all the answers.
However, I have been living out of a 20-inch carry-on full-time since 2021. That means I know the principles of packing light inside and out — the fabric choices, the outfit formulas, the re-wearing strategies, all of it. And those principles apply to every body shape.
I also have a little real-life proof that carry-on travel in a larger size is 100% doable: my husband is Dutch and if you know anything about Dutch people, you know they are tall. Pretty much everyone in his family wears a size L or XL and they all travel carry-on only. It’s just the norm for them.
So yes, it’s possible. And today I’m sharing all my best carry-on packing tips for women in larger sizes — everything I know to help you make it work 💪🏼
I’d also love for this to be a two-way conversation — if you’ve figured out the carry-on life in a larger size, please drop your tips in the comments. You’ll be helping SO many people who are reading this right now.
Alright — let’s get into these carry-on packing tips for women of ALL sizes 🧳
*this post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you shop for anything using my links. Thanks so much in advance for supporting my work!
First, let’s be honest about the challenge
Clothing for taller and curvier bodies is often physically bigger, heavier, and takes up more room.
A size 12 of wide-leg trousers will take up more space than a size 2 pair. That’s just physics, and it deserves to be said out loud instead of glossed over with generic advice that doesn’t actually apply to you.
⚠️ Here’s the real talk: you will likely need to sacrifice some quantities. That’s true for every carry-on traveler, but it’s more pronounced when your clothes are larger. That’s not a problem with you — it’s just the constraint you’re working within. And constraints, when embraced, actually make you a sharper, more intentional packer.
With the right strategy, these carry-on packing tips for women in larger sizes are absolutely achievable — and the payoff (breezing through airports, no checked bag fees, zero waiting at baggage claim) is 100% worth it.
Tip #1: Fabric Is Everything — Choose Pieces That Pack Small
This is the single most impactful thing you can do, and it applies to everyone but especially when your pieces are larger to begin with.
You want fabrics that are:
- Lightweight — they take up less space and weigh less in your bag
- Wrinkle-resistant — no one wants to iron on vacation (and these are usually lighter fabrics too)
- Stretchy or flowy — comfortable and versatile for multiple wears
- Quick-drying — so a quick sink wash overnight is a real option
✅ Your best travel fabrics: jersey knits, bamboo, linen blends, Ponte, viscose/rayon, and modal. These are the MVPs.
❌ What to avoid: heavy denim, thick cotton, bulky sweaters, rigid structured pieces. They’re space hogs and don’t give you much flexibility in styling.
Even swapping one pair of heavy jeans for a Ponte trouser or linen pants can make a significant difference in how much you can fit in your carry-on.
⭐️ Great options to look for:
- Quince’s tapered linen pants pack flat, and look polished with everything.
- Their stretch Ponte pants are another carry-on hero — comfortable enough for a long travel day, elevated enough for dinner.
- Albion Fit Destination joggers are comfortable, versatile and very lightweight. (also available in wide leg)
I have the 3 pair of pants I’m recommending. The photos below show the exact three pants I just described — from top to bottom: Quince’s tapered linen pants, their stretch Ponte pants, and the destination joggers.
Tip #2: Build Around a Color Palette — Your Secret Weapon
One of the most powerful carry-on packing tips for women in larger sizes I can share: decide on your color palette before you pack a single item.
When every piece you bring works with every other piece, fewer items = more outfits. And fewer items = more space. Simple math, big results.
Pick 3-4 neutral base colors (black, white, navy, camel, olive, stone) and 1–2 accent colors you love. Then pack only pieces within that palette. No random item that “only goes with one outfit” — that’s a space thief.
⭐️ And here’s the rule I use for every trip: every top must match every bottom. Every single one.
This might sound strict but it’s a game changer. After you do laundry mid-trip, you can re-wear pieces in entirely new combinations without ever feeling like you’re repeating an outfit. It gives you way more mileage from fewer pieces.
Monochrome outfits are especially flattering for tall and curvy bodies because they create one long, seamless line. Sticking to a tight color story does double duty: it helps you pack less AND makes your outfits look intentional and polished.
Here are some examples of monochrome outfits with 3 different color palettes to inspire you ⬇️
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Tip #3: Carry-On Packing Tips for Women in Larger Sizes — Re-Wear Smarter, Not Harder
Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything: you do not need a fresh outfit for every single day of your trip.
I live out of this 20-inch carry-on full-time. My formula: 1 top every 2 days, 1 bottom every 3 days. That sounds like a lot at first, but once you’re traveling — especially somewhere cooler — you’re genuinely not going through clothes the way you do at home.
Here’s one of my favorite tricks for getting more wear out of tops: wear tomorrow’s “day” top to dinner tonight.
Put on that fresh top for the evening, you’re only wearing it for a few hours, and it stays clean enough to wear again the next full day. This way you’ll feel put-together for dinner and you’ll get a second full wear out of the same top on a different day.
🗝️ The key is re-wearing intentionally.
The same linen pants worn with a white tank on Day 1 can come back on Day 4 with a silk cami tucked in and your crossbody bag — completely different vibe, same pant.
Wrap dresses, midi skirts, and statement trousers are particularly great for this because they tend to be the most flattering pieces on taller and curvier bodies anyway. Let those be your power players.
👉🏼 I actually wrote a newsletter a couple of months ago where I talk about the right order to wear the things you pack. Check it out here.
Tip #4: The Carry-On Packing Formula for Women in Larger Sizes
Here’s a realistic starting point for a 10-12 day trip. Adjust based on your destination and climate:
Tops (6):
- 1 casual tee or tank
- 1 T-shirt
- 1 cashmere T-shirt
- 1 slightly dressier top (a nice cami, a button-down worn open, or a blouse)
- 1 layering piece that doubles as a top (a linen vest or oversized shirt)
- 1 sweater vest or cashmere sweater (depends on weather, but if heading somewhere cold, cashmere is warm and takes less space than anything else)
Bottoms (3):
- 1 casual pair of pants that can be dressed up or down (linen pants or wide leg joggers)
- 1 midi skirt
- 1 dressier pair of pants (I prefer wide leg ones like these)
Dresses (1–2): *avoid maxi dresses – too much space*
- 1 wrap dress or midi dress that works for both daytime and dinner
- 1 printed silk dress (easy to dress up or down and takes very little space. Printed styles mask wrinkles really well – I travel with this one in polka dot)
Layer (1):
- A cardigan or lightweight jacket that works with every single outfit
Shoes (2 pairs max):
- 1 comfortable walking shoe — a clean white sneaker or supportive flat
- 1 pair of sandals – I prefer flat leather sandals
Accessories:
- 1 versatile crossbody bag (hands-free, goes with everything — this one from Quince is the one I have)
- 2–3 jewelry options that mix and match – the right jewelry pieces will help you dress up any outfit
- 1 pashmina (airport blanket, evening wrap, and extra layer all in one)
The total goal: 14-16 pieces that mix and match into 20+ outfits. Remember — every top matches every bottom. That’s what makes this work. (read this article to see how I did this for a Spring trip)
Tip #5: Pack Strategically — Techniques That Actually Save Space
No packing cubes needed! What actually saves space is how you pack, not what you pack it in.
🧳 The Bundle Method: Lay your largest, flattest items (trousers, blazer) on the bottom, then layer clothes on top of each other in a star pattern — sleeves and legs extending over the sides of the suitcase. Then bundle everything around a core item (like a rolled knit).
This wraps garments around each other, preventing wrinkles and using every inch of space. (I know this sounds confusing, so here’s a video about it)
🧳 The Roll Method: For softer items like tees, tanks, jersey dresses, and knits — rolling tightly is more space-efficient than folding. Lay the item flat, fold the sides in (for tees), then roll tightly from the bottom up.
👟 Stuff your shoes: Every shoe goes into a shoe bag or plastic bag, then gets stuffed with socks, underwear, and small accessories. Dead space eliminated.
✈️ Wear your bulkiest items on travel days. Your heaviest shoes on your feet. Your thickest jacket or cardigan on your body. Your most structured pants on. This alone can free up a surprising amount of space in your bag, and once you land, you pack those items away and switch into lighter clothes.
I do this all the time! My travel day outfits always come out of my final packing list.
Tip #6: Choose the Right Carry-On
Not all carry-ons are created equal, and this matters more when space is at a premium.
Look for:
- Maximum allowable airline dimensions — most US airlines allow 22″ x 14″ x 9″. Go as large as the rules allow.
- A structured hard shell so you can use every single inch without the bag caving in or getting squishy at security
- An expandable option if you need just a little extra breathing room (but don’t stuff it!)
I travel with this 20-inch hard shell carry-on and love it so much! If you need help figuring out which carry-on is best for you, read this article next.
Tip #7: Plan to Do Laundry (and That’s Okay!)
This is honestly one of the most underrated carry-on packing tips for women in larger sizes — and for all carry-on travelers, honestly. If your trip is longer than 10–12 days, plan to do laundry at least once. It’s not a failure. It’s strategy.
A lot of Airbnbs have a washer. Hotels often have laundry services or a self-serve machine nearby. Many cities have wash-and-fold spots that are cheap and fast. Plan for one laundry run around day 10, and suddenly you can pack half as much as you thought.
A quick spot wash also works in a pinch — if you just want to freshen up a top’s underarm area, a little soap and water in the sink and an overnight dry is genuinely all you need.
When you know laundry is part of the plan, the whole carry-on formula becomes so much more manageable.
The Bottom Line: Carry-On Packing for Women in Larger Sizes IS Possible!
Will it require more intention than packing for someone in a size XS? Yes, probably. Will you pack fewer pieces? Also yes.
The principles of carry-on packing for women in larger sizes are the same as for everyone:
✅ build around a tight color palette
✅ make every top match every bottom
✅ choose lightweight fabrics
✅ re-wear intentionally
✅ and pack less than you think you need.
You deserve to travel light. You deserve to breeze through the airport without a giant checked bag slowing you down. These carry-on packing tips for women in larger sizes are your starting point — but your own experience will teach you the rest.
Now tell me — are you a taller or curvier woman who has mastered the carry-on life?
Drop your best tips in the comments below. This is one of those topics where the real wisdom comes from your lived experience, and I’d love for this post to grow into a resource we can build together.
XO,
Aimara
>> PS: Want a customized packing list built for your specific destination and trip length? Answer two quick questions and I’ll build it for you — for free
About the author:
I’m a full-time traveler and the woman behind Ways of Style — a blog dedicated to helping women pack lighter, dress smarter, and stop stressing about their suitcase.
I’ve been living out of a single 20-inch carry-on since 2021, which means I’ve had a lot of time to figure out what actually works when space is limited. The packing formulas I share aren’t theory — they’re things I test on real trips, in real suitcases, with real consequences if I get it wrong 😅
This post in particular is one I’m really proud of, because carry-on travel advice tends to be written with one body type in mind. I wanted to change that. The principles of packing light are universal — it’s just about knowing how to apply them to your wardrobe and your life.
If this post was helpful, you’ll love the rest of the blog — I’ve got packing lists, capsule wardrobe guides, and outfit ideas for every kind of trip. And if you want me to build you a custom packing list in two questions flat, grab my free tool right here.
You’ll love these articles next:
- The 5 best shoes for traveling light (just pick 3)
- My top wrinkle free travel clothes
- 10 items you WON’T need in Europe
- Neutrals carry-on packing list for 2.5 weeks!
- This is how I packed my carry-on for 6 weeks of travel
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