Heading to Detroit? Today I’m sharing my backpack-only packing list for a weekend in the Motor City.
Once upon a time, I traveled primarily with a carry-on suitcase – a fact that seemed to boggle people’s minds:
“You travel with just a carry-on? I could never do that. My shoes could fill a carry-on all on their own!”
But I continued to profess that a carry-on suitcase was more than enough room to travel with for a weekend, a week, or even longer – and to date I have published more than thirty destination-specific, carry-on packing lists.
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But fast forward to today, when economy airfare prices on legacy carriers are creeping toward the cost of premium economy or even business class seats on flights just several years ago.
It’s been enough to make me run to (well, stomp my way over while muttering under my breath at) budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier, where it’s still possible to find sub-$100 roundtrip tickets. Except, of course, they are now charging up to $100 for a carry-on bag for each leg of the flight.
Looking for more packing list inspiration? Check out my packing lists by season: Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend a couple hundred dollars on a great meal (or you know, perhaps another flight?) than on baggage fees, so I’ve learned to embrace the personal item lifestyle. I picked up a backpack that fits within the carriers’ strict dimensions and adapted my practice of packing a minimal palette in strategic fabrics by simplifying things even more.
But one thing I won’t give up? My preference for packing for the specific destination.
With that for an introduction, let’s open up my backpack and see what I packed for Detroit, shall we?
DETROIT SUMMER PACKING LIST
Black Silk Tank* | Windowpane Silk Tank | Cashmere Tee* | Ballet Neck Tee* | Linen Mini Dress | Cutout Midi Dress* | Light Denim | Trench Coat* | Pajama Top | Pajama Bottoms | Leather Sandals | Waterproof Loafers* | Sunglasses | Leather Belt | Crossbody Bag*
WHY I PACKED THESE ITEMS
My wardrobe contains a lot of black, and I find myself reaching for it even in the hottest season (that’s not to say my wardrobe hasn’t lightened up a bit over the past few years – there are plenty of colorful summer packing lists here on the blog!). I’m a firm believer in dressing for your destination, and for me, most cities call for an armor of dark-hued clothing.
I love city travel, but cities can be grimy. Have you ever sat in something on the bus? Stepped in gum (or at least, I hope that was gum…)? Sideswiped a freshly painted lamppost? Black clothing can hide a multitude of city sins, especially helpful when you can’t pack a backup garment.
With a weather forecast that dropped at least ten degrees every day of this trip, I made things easy on myself by choosing black tops in varying fabrics and sleeve lengths (why make it difficult, you know?).
Silk tanks feel lovely on the skin, and they are perfect for when the weather is warm but not sweat-inducing (two came with me because they take up zero room). A cashmere tee has a limited temperature range for wearability, and this was the perfect chance to wear it one last time until fall. And a 3/4-sleeve top offers a little added coverage without making it feel like winter.
Switching from jeans on the plane (a light-wash pair, to keep the overall color palette from feeling too cold and heavy for June), to a chic linen mini dress on the hottest day was the greatest idea I’ve had in some time. And for a lovely dinner out at a hip restaurant, a dress with marginally-daring cutouts fit the bill.
I always recommend using your limited suitcase or backpack space for the items that you’ll wear out and about and just packing your lightest pajamas (showering at night usually keeps them clean enough to rewear a few times!). My go-tos lately are a silk top and pants that both roll up ultra-small.
And finally, I kept shoes and accessories simple, wearing a pair of waterproof loafers and a trench to survive the downpour, and tossed a pair of sandals that took up no room at all in case I felt like switching things up a bit. Jewelry stayed minimal and classic in all-gold, and I wore everything on the plane to avoid packing a storage case. As always, my favorite crossbody bag helped my hands stay free for eating gelato and drinking coffee – two very important tasks.
DETROIT OUTFIT PHOTOS
*this item is no longer available and a similar product is linked
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHAT TO PACK FOR DETROIT
This is the part of my packing list posts where I share general tips based on what I saw others wearing, as well as a critique of my garment choices.
The latter I can do easily, but the former? My data set on Detroit style based on this visit is skewed thanks to a Taylor Swift concert happening in the city. Based on what I saw on the city sidewalks, I’d tell you that the most common style is sequins and fringe, but I’m pretty sure that’s not the case…
I can say that I overheard someone in the crowd express surprise at the lack of people wearing Tigers and Lions t-shirts everywhere (those are sports teams, by the way). So… I think we can surmise that overall, the local style is pretty casual.
So on to my packing critique… Overall, I’m quite happy with the ease and practicality of this packing list. Everything felt comfortable for the environments I encountered, except for two hiccups:
1. A “little bit of rain” in the forecast turned into a downpour, and you know what was missing from my packing list? An umbrella. Thus, a simple black baseball cap was acquired to help keep me a little more dry (as was an umbrella, left for future guests at our Airbnb).
2. I couldn’t wear my sandals to Michael’s birthday dinner because of the aforementioned rain, so I just sucked it up and wore my waterproof loafers with the cutout dress – plus the baseball cap for the walk over. Not my favorite combination ever, but not quite deserving of the prickly looks I received at the restaurant host stand.
Otherwise, while it wasn’t my most fun or creative packing list (and far less whimsical than all of the outfits being worn by concertgoers!), I did net quite a few compliments over the weekend. Outside approval isn’t why I choose to wear what I wear, but I admit it’s nice to hear now and then. Faced with the limitations of just a backpack for three days, I’d gladly pack these pieces all over again (plus an umbrella!).
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