Ricardo Beverly Hills · No More Overpacking No More
No More
Overpacking.
A better way to pack.
Everyone has their own system. Most of them involve panic, a knee on the lid, and arriving wrinkled. Here's ours — built over 46 years of making bags for travelers who pack for real.
Start Packing1
Start with the bag, not the clothesRight-sizing your luggage is 80% of the battle. The wrong bag makes everything harder.
2
Heaviest items go closest to the wheelsLow and centered keeps the bag stable and reduces shoulder strain.
3
Roll what you can. Fold what you must.Rolling reduces wrinkles and saves space. It's not a myth — it's geometry.
4
Leave the expansion for the return tripIf you leave fully expanded, there's no room for souvenirs, shopping, or that coat you forgot.
5
Weigh it before you leave the houseAirline scales are not more accurate than yours. They're just more expensive.
The RBH Method · Step 00
Before you touch a single item of clothing.
The biggest packing mistake isn't overpacking — it's starting with the wrong bag. Too large and you'll fill it. Too small and you'll force it. Start with the trip, not the bag.
Bag selection rule: 1–3 nights = 20–21" carry-on. 4–7 days = 25" medium. 7+ days = large. Grabbing the big one "to be safe" is how overweight fees happen. Size Guide →
The RBH Method · Step 01
Roll vs. fold vs. cube. The honest breakdown.
No single right method — each works for different items. Most experienced travelers use all three.
Best for: Casual clothes
The Roll
Rolling tightly reduces wrinkles in casual fabrics and makes it easy to see everything at a glance. Items stack vertically so you can pull one out without disturbing the rest.
- Reduces wrinkles in t-shirts, jeans, casual pants
- Saves space — rolled items compress better than folded
- Easy to see every item without unpacking
- Works perfectly with compression packing cubes
- Not ideal for dress shirts, blazers, or structured items
- Delicate fabrics can pick up creases at roll edges
Roll: T-shirts · Jeans · Casual pants · Knitwear · Underwear
Best for: Formal & structured
The Fold
Flat folding preserves structure in dress shirts, blazers, and trousers. The key is minimizing fold lines — fold along existing seams and creases, never across them.
- Preserves shape in structured garments
- Dress shirts and blazers arrive far less wrinkled
- Works with built-in suiter compartments on select RBH bags
- Uses more space than rolling
- Disrupts the whole stack when you need an item at the bottom
Fold: Dress shirts · Blazers · Trousers · Structured jackets
Best for: Staying organized
The Cube
Packing cubes don't save space on their own — compression cubes do. But they transform how organized you stay throughout the trip. Everything has a home. Nothing migrates.
- Each category has its own contained zone
- Unpacking at the hotel takes 30 seconds
- Compression cubes reduce volume by up to 30%
- Keeps dirty clothes completely separate on the way back
- Requires buying the cubes upfront
- Non-compression cubes add weight without saving space
Cube: Tops · Bottoms · Underwear · Gym clothes · Kids' clothes
The RBH approach: Roll casual, fold dress, cube everything else. 20 minutes the first time, 10 after that. The payoff: unwrinkled clothes and no unpacking to find things.
The RBH Method · Step 02
The order everything goes in.
How you layer items matters as much as how you fold them. The goal is stable weight distribution, wrinkle-free clothing, and instant access to what you'll need first. Here's the sequence.
01
Shoes — First In, Bottom Layer
Pack shoes along the wheel end in shoe bags or shower caps — heaviest zone keeps weight low and centered. Stuff socks inside shoes.
Pro move: Pack shoes heel-to-toe and alternate directions 02
Heavy Items — Second Layer
Toiletry bag, hair tools, chargers, and anything with weight go on top of shoes, still close to the wheel end. Wrap cords around items to eliminate dead space.
Pro move: Pack your toiletry bag in a sealed zip bag inside a hard case — no leaks 03
Folded Items — Flat Against the Back
Dress shirts, trousers, and blazers go flat, folded along natural seams. Place them early before the bag gets cluttered — tissue paper between layers prevents wrinkles.
Pro move: Use the built-in compression straps to hold folds in place 04
Rolled & Cubed Items — Fill the Gaps
Rolled casual items go vertically so you can see everything at a glance. Packing cubes go in as single units — no rearranging to find one thing.
Pro move: Pack outfits together in cubes, not categories 05
Soft Fillers — Pack Every Corner
Underwear, socks, and swimwear are your gap-fillers — tuck them around shoes and between folded items. Empty space is wasted weight allowance.
Pro move: Roll swimwear tightly and tuck into shoe pockets 06
Last In — First Out
First-night outfit, pajamas, hotel charger, and customs documents go on top. Don't make yourself unpack to find your toothbrush.
Pro move: Keep one full outfit in your carry-on in case a checked bag is delayed The RBH Method · Step 03
Think in zones, not categories.
Packing by category looks organized in the bag but creates chaos at the destination. Think in zones based on weight and access frequency instead.
Zone 01 · Bottom
Heavy & Infrequent
- Shoes (in bags)
- Toiletry kit
- Hair tools
- Chargers & cables
- Books or tablets
- Shoes for specific events
Zone 02 · Middle
Structured & Formal
- Dress shirts (folded flat)
- Trousers
- Blazers & jackets
- Dress shoes (if room)
- Garment sleeve items
Zone 03 · Upper
Casual & Everyday
- Rolled t-shirts
- Jeans & casual pants
- Knitwear & sweaters
- Packing cubes
- Workout clothes
Zone 04 · Top & Pockets
First Access
- First-night outfit
- Pajamas
- Hotel room charger
- Snacks & medicine
- Travel documents
- Anything customs-facing
The RBH Method · Step 04
The carry-on is a different game entirely.
Packing a carry-on isn't just packing less — it's packing differently. Every item needs to earn its place. You have no room for "just in case." Here's the carry-on mindset that experienced travelers use.
What Always Goes in the Carry-On
- Valuables — laptop, camera, jewelry, medication
- One full change of clothes (in case checked bag is delayed)
- All chargers and cables — airlines won't cover these if lost
- Anything irreplaceable at your destination
- Liquids in 3-1-1 compliant bag — use the removable pouch in Avalon
- Passport, boarding pass, travel insurance documents
- Headphones, neck pillow, and anything you'll use on the flight
Carry-On Packing Rules That Save Time
- Keep your TSA items in the same pocket every single trip — no repacking
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane — they eat the most space
- Use a personal item for anything you'll need during the flight
- If using FastAccess™ on Montecito 2.0 — laptop goes in the front, always
- Don't expand your carry-on — it won't fit if you do
- Weigh it at home — most airlines cap carry-ons at 25 lbs
- Pack the carry-on last, with the freshest mind
Under-seat strategy: Pair a 20–21" carry-on with an Avalon Small Carry-On 28L as your personal item. Valuables under the seat, clothes overhead — you never check a bag. Compare carry-ons →
Hard-Won Travel Wisdom
The tricks nobody tells you until it's too late.
Dry Cleaning Bags for Dress Clothes
Slide a dry cleaning bag over dress shirts before folding. The slippery surface prevents friction wrinkles — free from any dry cleaner.
The 5–4–3–2–1 Packing Rule
For a 7-day trip: 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 shoes, 2 dress items, 1 going-out outfit. Most travelers wear 60% of what they pack — this forces the rest to stay home.
Charge Before You Pack
Pack your power bank fully charged and use the USB port on Montecito 2.0 or Rodeo Drive 2.0 to charge at the gate. Don't leave home with a dead phone.
Use the Wet Pocket — Every Trip
Use the PVC-lined wet pocket (Cambria, Avalon) on every trip, not just beach vacations. Leaking toiletries, a damp gym shirt, wet shoes from unexpected rain — it earns its keep.
Lock Before You Drop
Engage your TSA lock before handing over checked bags — not after. 3 seconds of protection against opportunistic theft between check-in and the belt.
Save the Expansion for the Return
Never leave home fully expanded. That extra 2–2.5" is your souvenirs and the jacket you bought because it was cold. You will always need it on the way back.
The RBH Checklist
What to pack. By trip type.
No universal packing list works for every trip. Here are two — one for a domestic weekend trip, one for a week-long international. Use them as a starting point, not a prescription.
Domestic Weekend · Carry-On Only
- 2–3 tops (roll all of them)
- 1–2 bottoms (jeans travel double-duty)
- 1 dress or going-out outfit if needed
- Underwear × nights + 1
- 1 pair casual shoes + 1 pair dress if needed
- Toiletries in 3-1-1 bag — removable pouch in Avalon
- Chargers, headphones, power bank
- Workout clothes (if going to a gym)
- Light jacket — wear it, don't pack it
- Medication, travel documents, cards
International Week · Medium Check-In
- 5–6 tops (mix roll and fold)
- 3–4 bottoms including 1 dress pant
- 1–2 dress items for events or dinners
- 2–3 pairs shoes + 1 pair dress
- Full toiletry kit — liquids in checked bag
- Packing cubes for categories
- Universal power adapter + all chargers
- Medication with copies of prescriptions
- Printed itinerary, insurance, emergency contacts
- One full outfit in carry-on — just in case
Real-World Scenarios · By Collection
What actually fits in each size.
Numbers on a spec sheet don't tell you how many outfits you can pack. These are real packing scenarios — exactly what fits in each Ricardo size, which collection to use, and what trip each one is built for.
Carry-On · 20–22" · Overhead Bin · 1–4 Day Trips
The 3-Night Business Trip.
No checked bag. No fees.
No checked bag. No fees.
~35–38LPacking Volume
22.25×14.5×9.5"Overall Dims
7.4–8.5 lbsBag Weight
+2"Expansion
What fits — 3-night business trip
- 3 dress shirts folded flat, layered with dry cleaning bag
- 2 pairs trousers folded along seam, no roll
- 1 blazer or sport coat last in, on top of everything
- 3–4 t-shirts or casual tops rolled, tucked in gaps
- 1 pair dress shoes + 1 pair casual in shoe bags at wheel end
- 4 days underwear + socks stuffed inside shoes
- Toiletry kit 3-1-1 compliant
- Chargers + laptop front pocket or FastAccess™
Best Ricardo carry-ons for this trip
- Montecito 2.0 FastAccess™ Carry-On 22.25×14.5×9.5" · 8.2 lbs
FastAccess™ front pocket opens flat for laptop at security, main compartment untouched. USB charging port, dual compartments, TSA lock. - Montecito 2.0 Hardside Carry-On 22.25×14.5×9.5" · 8.2 lbs
Same dimensions and USB port as FastAccess™, without the front pocket. Cleaner exterior profile. - Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Carry-On 22.25×14.5×9.75" · 8.5 lbs
Makrolon® polycarbonate shell, USB charging, laundry and shoe bags. Best for frequent travelers who never check a bag. - Cambria Hardside Carry-On 22.25×14×9.5" · 7.4 lbs
Lightest hardside carry-on at 7.4 lbs — 0.8 lbs lighter than Montecito. No USB port but same overhead bin fit.
Medium Check-In · 25" · Must Be Checked · 4–7 Day Trips
The Full Week Away.
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
Everything you need. Nothing you don't.
~58–65LPacking Volume
26.5–27×18×11"Overall Dims
9.6–10.7 lbsBag Weight
+2.5"Expansion
What fits — 7-night international trip
- 5–6 tops mix of rolled casual + folded dress shirts
- 3–4 bottoms 2 casual pants rolled, 1–2 dress trousers folded
- 1 dress outfit folded flat with dry cleaning bag
- 1 light jacket or blazer folded on top layer
- 2 pairs casual shoes + 1 dress pair in shoe bags, wheel end
- 7–8 days underwear + socks rolled into packing cube
- Full toiletry kit liquids no longer restricted — full-size bottles
- Workout clothes × 3 compression cube saves space
- Pajamas top layer for first-night access
- Swimwear × 2 in wet pocket (Cambria / Avalon)
- Packing cubes + adapter one cube per category
Best Ricardo medium check-ins for this trip
- Avalon rPET Medium Check-In 27×18×11" · ~9 lbs
Lightest medium at ~9 lbs — most clothing allowance of any 25" in the lineup. Built-in wet pocket, rPET fabric, TSA lock, expandable. - Cambria Hardside Medium Check-In 26.5×17.5×10.75" · 9.6 lbs
Polycarbonate alloy shell in four bold colorways. Built-in wet pocket, TSA lock, expandable +2.5". Best-value hardside medium. - Montecito 2.0 Medium Check-In 26.5×18×11.25" · 10.4 lbs
100% polycarbonate, TSA lock, expandable +2.5". Pairs with Montecito 2.0 carry-on for a complete matching set. - Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Medium 27×18×11.75" · 10.7 lbs
Largest medium interior at 65L. Makrolon® polycarbonate, hanger loop, laundry bag, shoe bags. Best for heavy packers.
Large Check-In · 28–29" · Must Be Checked · 7+ Day Trips
Two Weeks. Family Travel.
Pack everything. Still have room.
Pack everything. Still have room.
~80–95LPacking Volume
30–31×20×12.5"Overall Dims
10–12.5 lbsBag Weight
+2.5"Expansion
What fits — 14-night extended trip or family travel
- 8–10 tops 3–4 dress shirts folded, 5–6 casual rolled
- 5–6 bottoms 2 dress trousers + 3–4 jeans and casual pants
- 2 dress outfits folded flat with dry cleaning bags
- 1 heavy coat or multiple light layers stuffed into gaps
- 3 pairs shoes dress, casual, and sneakers — all in shoe bags
- 14+ days underwear + socks 2 packing cubes
- Full toiletry kit + extras full-size products for extended stay
- Gym clothes × 5–7 days compression cube
- Swimwear × 3–4 wet pocket or dedicated cube
- Kids' clothes + souvenirs one cube per child; expand +2.5" for return
Best Ricardo large check-ins for this trip
- Cambria Hardside Large Check-In 31×20.25×12.25" · 11.8 lbs
Widest large at 31" — more horizontal spread for layered packing. Lightest hardside large, wet pocket, TSA lock, expandable +2.5". - Rodeo Drive 2.0 Hardside Large Check-In 30.5×20.25×13.25" · 12.4 lbs
Deepest large at 13.25" — 95L, the biggest hardside in the lineup. Makrolon® shell, laundry bag, shoe bags, free shipping. - Montecito 2.0 Large Check-In 30×20×12.5" · 12.5 lbs
100% polycarbonate, TSA lock, expandable +2.5", built-in suiter. Completes the Montecito 2.0 set across all three sizes. - Avalon rPET Large Check-In ~30×20×11" · ~10 lbs
Lightest large at ~10 lbs — 2.4 lbs more clothing allowance than Rodeo Drive 2.0. Wet pocket, expandable, TSA lock.
The weight math: Rodeo Drive 2.0 Large at 12.4 lbs empty leaves 37.6 lbs for clothes. Avalon Large at ~10 lbs leaves 40 lbs. That extra 2.4 lbs is a pair of shoes or a fee avoided. View weight guide →
Continue Reading
More guides from the RBH edit.
Crafted in Beverly Hills · Built Since 1978 Now that you know how to pack,
Now that you know how to pack,
get a bag worth packing into.
Every Ricardo Beverly Hills bag is built around the way real travelers actually pack. 10-year warranty. Free shipping on select collections.
{"statementLink":"","footerHtml":"","hideMobile":true,"hideTrigger":false,"disableBgProcess":false,"language":"en","position":"right","leadColor":"#f81616","triggerColor":"#f81616","triggerRadius":"50%","triggerPositionX":"left","triggerPositionY":"bottom","triggerIcon":"people","triggerSize":"big","triggerOffsetX":20,"triggerOffsetY":20,"mobile":{"triggerSize":"small","triggerPositionX":"right","triggerPositionY":"bottom","triggerOffsetX":10,"triggerOffsetY":10,"triggerRadius":"50%"}}
true