Packing lists fail because they are written for a generic trip. What works better is a short method that you apply to your own itinerary, and one hard constraint: the bag must be one you can carry up two flights of stairs without resenting it.
Count the days you dress for, not the days you travel
For any trip under two weeks, pack for five to seven days and plan one laundry stop. Hotels overcharge for it, laundrettes are cheap, and in many cities there is one within ten minutes of anywhere. This single decision removes roughly a third of most people's luggage.
Build around one colour and one pair of shoes
If everything you bring works with everything else, you need fewer pieces. One pair of walking shoes you have already broken in, plus one light alternative, covers almost every trip that is not specifically alpine or formal.
The layer principle
Temperature is handled by layers, not by bulk. A base layer, a warm mid layer and a wind or rain shell will cover a range from about five to twenty five degrees. A single heavy coat covers a much narrower band and takes more space.
What people consistently over-pack
- Shoes, in almost every case
- Toiletries, which are available at your destination and cheaper than checked baggage
- Books, when one is enough plus whatever you find
- Formal clothing for an evening that never materialises
- Charging cables, of which you likely need two
What people under-pack
- Any prescription medication, in its original packaging with a copy of the prescription
- A rain layer, especially in places assumed to be dry
- A small day bag that folds flat
- Sun protection outside summer
The final check
Pack the bag, then carry it around the house for five minutes. If that is unpleasant, remove something. Nobody has ever finished a trip wishing they had brought more clothes, and plenty of people finish one having worn a third of what they carried.
Check the seasonal guide for your destination month before you pack.