Carry-On_Couture on LTK

I'm Haley, sharing capsule wardrobes and all things travel to help you pack smarter, lighter and be a carry-on-only traveler! Size reference: 5’4”.

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Friday Fly-Day, my favorite day of the week, when we celebrate our love for travel and cute outfits!⁣⁣

#LTKOver40 #LTKTravel

Friday Fly-Day, my favorite day of the week, when we celebrate our love for travel and cute outfits!⁣⁣

⭐️ Comment “Friday” and I’ll DM you the links! ⚠️ If you do not receive the links, please DM me and I will resend. Technology has been glitchy!
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Hi, I’m Haley. I created Carry-On Couture to help you curate functional AND beautiful travel capsule wardrobes specifically designed for carry-on travel. Thank you for being here!

#LTKOver40 #LTKTravel

What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (February–April)

This travel capsule wardrobe was built for a Caribbean cruise during late winter/early spring, when days are hot, sunny, and spent between ports, pool decks, and excursions—and evenings stay warm but slightly dressier for onboard dining.

Expect daytime highs in the low-80s°F to upper-80s°F, with evenings in the low-70s°F. February through April is part of the dry season for most Caribbean destinations, with low humidity and minimal rain. I focused on lightweight, breathable fabrics, easy layers for air-conditioned spaces, and versatile pieces that work for shore days, sea days, and dinners without overpacking.

You’ll notice airy tanks and blouses, easy shorts and lightweight pants, and dresses that transition from daytime sightseeing to evening dining. A light cardigan is helpful for cool dining rooms and breezy decks. Footwear stays practical: comfortable walking shoes for ports, sandals for warm days, and a dressier pair for evenings.

Not headed on a Caribbean cruise? This capsule also works well for resort stays, coastal Mexico, the Florida Keys, Hawaii, or Mediterranean cruises—any warm-weather trip that mixes sightseeing, relaxation, and casual-to-dressy evenings. Everything mixes and matches into more than 15 outfits, and the best part — it all fits in your carry-on suitcase.

#LTKTravel #LTKOver40

What to Pack for Costa Rica (February–April)

This 18+ outfit travel capsule wardrobe was built for Costa Rica’s dry season, when days are hot, sunny, and active—and evenings stay warm but casual.

Expect daytime highs in the mid-80s°F to low-90s°F, with nights in the low-70s°F. Rain is minimal in February and March, with a slightly higher chance of short showers in April. I focused on breathable, quick-dry fabrics, sun coverage, and pieces that work for beach days, light hiking, towns, and casual dinners without overpacking.

You’ll notice lightweight tanks and tees, easy shorts and cropped pants, and airy dresses that can handle heat without feeling fussy. A light rain shell is a smart choice for surprise showers or breezy boat days, and long-sleeve layers helps with sun protection and cooler mornings in higher elevations. Footwear stays practical: supportive sneakers or hikers, walkable water-friendly sandals for excursions.

Not headed to Costa Rica? This capsule also works well for Belize, Panama, southern Mexico, Hawaii, the Florida Keys, or the Caribbean—any warm destination where heat, humidity, and active days call for functional clothing that still looks pulled together. Here’s your packing list for Costa Rica:
➡️ 6 Tops: breathable tanks and tees + two lightweight long-sleeve
➡️ 4 Bottoms: quick-dry skorts + shorts + lightweight cropped pants
➡️ 2 Dresses: easy, heat-friendly styles
➡️ 2 Swim Sets appropriate for active days in the water
➡️ 1 Outer Layer: packable rain jacket
➡️ 2 Shoes: supportive sneakers/hikers, walkable water friendly sandals
➡️ Accessories: sun hat, sunglasses, lightweight tote, crossbody and backpack

Everything mixes and matches into more than 18 outfits, and the best part — it all fits in your carry-on suitcase.

⭐️ My travel capsules are created using research, personal travel experience, and my own style preferences. I do my best to account for weather and real-life travel needs, but every trip is different. Use these as a fun starting point, not rigid rules. Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and make it your own.

#LTKTravel #LTKOver40

What to Pack for a Warm-Weather Winter Getaway

I’ve had a lot of requests lately for warm-weather destinations this winter, so I put together this 12+ outfit travel capsule wardrobe with exactly that in mind. It’s designed for trips where the days are warm, the pace is relaxed, and you want outfits that feel comfortable, put-together, and easy to rewear without overpacking.

Think daytime highs in the mid-70s°F to low-80s°F, with evenings cooling slightly into the mid-60s°F to low-70s°F. I focused on breathable fabrics, mix-and-match tops and bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, and a few elevated pieces that transition easily from day to night. Lightweight layers, versatile shoes, and accessories do the heavy lifting here—so you can pack light without feeling limited.

This capsule works beautifully for Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Miami, Key West, Puerto Rico, Cabo, St. Lucia, Hawaii, or the Caribbean, as well as warm-weather international destinations like Mexico City, Cartagena, or the Greek Islands in winter. Anywhere with sunshine, great food, and a relaxed but put-together vibe. Here’s your packing list for a warm-weather winter escape:
➡️ 4 Tops: a lightweight blouse, a printed statement top, a fitted tee, and a breathable tank
➡️ 3 Bottoms: a linen pant, an easy skirt, and tailored shorts
➡️ 1 Dress: a versatile piece that works day or night
➡️ 1 Pantsuit
➡️ 1 Layer: a lightweight cardigan for evenings or travel days
➡️ 3 Shoes: a comfortable sneaker, an elevated sandal, and a dressier flat
➡️ Accessories: straw tote, crossbody bag, scarf, hat, and simple jewelry
➡️ 1 Swimsuit

Every piece mixes and matches into 12+ outfits — and the best part? It all fits in your carry-on suitcase.

⭐️ My travel capsules are created using research, personal travel experience, and my own style preferences. I do my best to account for weather and real-life travel needs, but every trip is different. Use these as a fun starting point, not rigid rules. Take what works, leave what doesn’t, and make it your own

Travel Capsules

It is a lightweight carry-on designed to fit on most domestic airlines, but I have traveled internationally with this bag with no problems, as has my husband and 3 sons.

The details:
Hard shell
Clam shell/2 sided design
4 Spinner wheels
Weighs 6.7 lbs

#LTKover40 #LTKtravel

This Travelpro carry-on suitcase is a great option for those who prefer a soft shell. It’s ultra-lightweight weighing in at 5.3 lbs.

#LTKover40 #LTKtravel

Introducing…The Cosmolite 3.0 Carry-on Spinner! This carry-on suitcase is by Samsonite and it is the one I use for every trip.

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Here are the packing cubes I use…one set are the slim size that fit perfectly the width of most carry-ons, and the other set have a little compression for your bulkier items!

#LTKTravel #LTKOver40

Packing Truth: The biggest mistake you might be making isn’t what you pack - it’s what you’re packing it in.

Your suitcase could be eating up precious weight allowance before you even zip it shut. Some so-called “lightweight” bags weigh 8+ lbs… which can be nearly half the 17 lb limit enforced by some airlines. 😳

👉 When you start with a lightweight carry-on suitcase under 7 lbs, you instantly give yourself more room for the clothes and essentials you actually want to bring. Use that weight allowance for more cute outfits!

⭐️ Why these make the cut as my favorite carry-on suitcases…great quality, work for most international airlines and domestic, and they are ULTRA LIGHTWEIGHT!

Top Rated Choice for a Carry-On Backpack

Because not every trip is a suitcase trip!

Why it makes my list of recommended carry-ons:

- It meets the requirements of most airlines.
- (Take caution with strict international carriers! If bag isn’t overstuffed, it should meet size standards.)
- To be safe, for international airlines, opt for the 35L size.
- Weight-distributing carrying features for optimal comfort.
- It has a suitcase-style, full-wrap zipper opening that allows you to open the bag completely flat for easy packing and access to your belongings.
- Excellent organization with interior mesh pockets.
- Padded laptop sleeve
- Durable weather-resistant material
- Includes a rain cover for extra protection
- Thoughtful Details: A top zippered pocket provides quick access to essentials like your passport, phone, and wallet. Brightly colored zippers can help differentiate compartments for easier access. It also features a luggage pass-through sleeve for easy attachment to a rolling suitcase.

#LTKOver40 #LTKTravel

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