I'm a habitual overpacker. When I board a plane, I find comfort in the fact that my massive checked bag is stuffed with a variety of clothing to get me through every possible scenario. But this summer, due to all the airline chaos (and checked bags lost in transit 30% above pre-pandemic levels), I challenged myself to consolidate all my travel necessities into a carry-on for a nine-day trip to Germany.
I had to be super strategic about my packing: versatile pieces would be key, as well as items that strike a balance between comfort and style. I loaded up with pieces from one of our absolute favorite athleisure brands, Vuori. Its clothes are adaptable for a variety of situations, whether it's an eight-hour red eye or long days exploring new cities. Plus, everything is compact and space-saving for when luggage real estate is tight.
I picked items with limitless styling options, such as basic black joggers and simple, neutral tops.
The most versatile clothing includes solid- and neutral-colored pieces that are comfortable yet look put together. Vuori's daily joggers in black ($98, XS-XL) fit the bill. They have an ultra-high tie waist and super soft stretch fabric for optimal comfort. Plus, the wide ribbed waistband and ankle cuffs pair with a slim silhouette to give a polished look (despite the fact that you're technically wearing sweats).
The only downside to the joggers in terms of functionality was the lack of pockets. Vuori's performance jogger ($94, available in 16 colors as well as long and regular length) is a good alternative if pockets are a must, but they wear more like traditional sweats. I preferred the sleeker appearance of the daily jogger for versatility reasons.
I wore the joggers for my flights and layered Vuori top pieces so I was prepared for every possible plane climate.
I layered the daydream crew in light heather gray ($64, XXS-XXL) and the lux performance tank ($49, XXS-XXL) for one trip, and wore the energy tee in black heather ($58, XXS-XXL) and long-sleeve feather tee in washed black ($64, XXS-XXL) for the other. I loved that the pieces layered beautifully, especially since plane cabins can get very chilly. I wore my tank and tee en route to the airport in the summer heat, and then threw on my crew and oversize long-sleeve for the flight. Both items were warm but not heavy (the daydream crew gives more warmth than the long-sleeve feather tee if you tend to run cold) and they folded easily in my bag while I wasn't wearing them.
I re-wore pieces from my "plane outfit" for various outings on my trip
I wore my Vuori clothes again and again during my vacation, incorporating the various pieces into different ensembles by dressing them up with jeans, statement boots, or a blazer. Since these items are machine washable and dryer friendly, I was even able to quickly do a load of laundry mid-trip and wear many of the pieces a second or third time.
Every piece was well-made, and I felt confident it would hold up in a variety of scenarios.
Vuori clothing is a bit on the pricey side, but I always prefer to spend more on a high-quality item that will last, rather than buy cheap and need to replace the item after a few wears. I've washed and dried these items many times now and they look as good as the day I got them.
With midweight, breathable fabrics, Vuori's loungewear doubles as performance wear and can be worn well on hikes, jogs, or to a yoga class.
Since suitcase space was (very) limited, compact clothing left room for bulkier necessities.
On this trip, I was attending a friend's wedding, plus my fiancé and I had booked an engagement photo shoot, so I had to pack two bulky dresses and heels that were going to be single-use items. That didn't leave a ton of space for the rest of my clothing, so the fact that Vuori items are super compact and fold up small made a huge difference.
The bottom line
Vuori's loungewear is packable, versatile, comfortable, and high-quality, making it perfect for travel. Being able to re-wear items from my "plane outfit" throughout my trip — and do a quick wash mid-trip — proved to be game changers in allowing me to fit everything into a single carry-on. I enjoyed the minimalist packer experience so much, I may always fly carry-on only moving forward.
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