Moving abroad? Here’s how to pack your life into 3 suitcases (no, really)

There’s this silent heartbreak that comes with packing up your entire life. You don’t expect it. It creeps in somewhere between deciding which of your favourite black boots to leave behind and debating if your winter jacket is worth the suitcase real estate. You’re moving, you're excited, you're finally doing the thing—and yet, you’re also folding up versions of yourself and deciding which ones are worth taking with you.

When I found out I’d be moving to New York, the first thing I did (after squealing and texting three people) was stand in front of my overflowing wardrobe and whisper: “We need to talk.”

The mission? Fit everything—clothing, beauty, sentiment—into two check-in bags and one cabin bag. 

First, the bags

I knew I needed luggage that could handle emotional baggage and "baggage" baggage. I chose WNTR Travel’s large check-in suitcases for the structure (and aesthetic); I needed built-in toiletry pouches and compression pads that could make even my bulkiest winter jacket behave.

My cabin bag was the real MVP—it carried my backup outfits, chargers, beauty bag, and one rogue bag of namkeen I pretended wasn’t there during customs. It also had a special section for essentials like my power bank, sunglasses and passport. I ditched my usual shoulder tote for a proper travel tote from Miraggio—compartments, zips, and the works. If the shoulder tote is not enough for your extra things, I suggest switching to a spacious backpack from Scarters. 

The clothes: Edited, folded, and somehow... it fit

If you ever want to understand yourself better, try choosing five jackets from a wardrobe of fifty.

Let’s be real—I packed more than two pairs of jeans and a cute dress. I packed enough clothes for multiple versions of myself: the student, the party girl, the girl who walks 30 blocks in activewear because she refuses to take the subway for just one stop.

Here’s how I made it work:

• I packed in categories and outfits, not single pieces. Think: “three university-class looks,” “four going-out tops that work with the same black pants,” and “one full salwar set.”
• I rolled every item before placing it into compression pouches—tops together, bottoms together, winter layers folded flat. This saved so much space.
• Bulkiest pieces, like my winter trench and boots? I wore them on the flight. I looked like I was dressed for London Fashion Week, but I had no shame.
• I packed one heavy hoodie, two co-ord lounge sets, and a few flare tights and zip-ups from Wear Evolucion. 
• I also packed the one bikini top and swim cover-up I bought from Beach Bum because now I finally had somewhere to wear it. 

Beauty: Tiny bottles, big feelings

Packing beauty wasn’t about minimalism. It was about being intentional. I knew I wouldn’t find my exact favourites in NYC, so I made space for them.

I used Akiiko’s soft, foldable vanity pouch for my everyday essentials—sleek and organised, without adding bulk. My Brillaire haircare oils and shampoo came with me (frizz waits for no one), and I packed a few masks for homesick nights.

I also packed:

• My Kama Ayurveda travel kit—the rose water alone is a little slice of calm
• My go-to lip tint, concealer, and mascara
• Baby wipes—unglamorous, but absolutely necessary
• A portable jet spray (if you know you know)
• And my signature scent: Prada La Femme—the one thing that always makes me feel polished. 
   

The accessories that deserved a boarding pass

When it came to packing shoes, bags, and jewellery, I had one rule: if it doesn’t serve more than one version of me, it doesn’t come. Every piece needed to work hard—whether that meant elevating a last-minute brunch look, surviving a 20-block walk, or just making me feel like myself when nothing else did.

Let’s start with the shoes:

I allowed myself four pairs, and each one earned its spot.

• My Rossini Italian knee-high black boots. Sleek, strong, and surprisingly walkable—these are the kind of shoes that change your posture and your mood the second you zip them up.
• A pair of chunky white boots—because no winter outfit in New York is complete without them, and because I love the contrast they bring to even the simplest jeans-and-coat combo.
• My trusty Converse high tops for everyday survival—city walking, café hopping, corner-store errands.
• And one very special pair: my Prada heels. They’re not walkable, but they’re powerful. And sometimes, that’s all that matters.

For bags, I chose three:

 

• My black Coach tabby that I use daily—it fits everything I need without looking like I’ve packed for the apocalypse.
• One structured, statement green purse from Miraggio that brings an instant pop of colour to any neutral outfit. I wear it on days I want to be noticed.
• My Cavalli Class satchel that screams NYC.
• And finally, one very beloved micro bag from Outhouse—metallic, sculptural, and pure fun. It doesn’t fit a phone, but it does fit the moment.

Jewellery was a tougher edit. I don’t have my ears pierced, which means finding good clip-on earrings is an art I’ve mastered over the years. I packed a few classic gold pairs, along with my go-to chunky gold necklace from Arvino—a bold, versatile piece that looks just as good over a plain white tee as it does layered with a turtleneck. I also packed my trusted LV reversible belt and a few waist chains. 

I slipped all of it—necklaces, belts, clips, cuffs, rings—into a fabric roll and then packed that inside a pouch nestled between my clothes. It didn’t take much space, but it gave me so many ways to feel dressed up even when everything else was new.

Things I wish I left behind (and what I’m glad I didn’t)

I didn’t need that third pair of boots. Or the blazer I thought would make me “look American” (whatever that means). I packed a few things out of guilt or aspiration—neither served me.

But what I am glad I carried:

• My Outhouse statement earrings that dress up a plain black tee.
• My micro purses, because if you’re going to panic-walk through Manhattan, you may as well do it looking like a Pinterest pin.
• My Prada heels, because sometimes, just owning something beautiful is reason enough.

Final piece of advice from a girl who is now living out of these bags

You won’t pack perfectly. Something will spill. Something will get wrinkled. Something you thought you didn’t need will haunt you at 2 am on a Thursday.

But what you can do is be intentional. Take the things that make you feel like your most alive, bold, soft, capable self. The scent that reminds you of monsoon evenings. The outfit you wear when you need luck. The flats you can dance in, run in, live in.

And always—always—take the bikini.

Lead image: Pexels

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