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Properly packing a carry-on suitcase is equally about what you pack as it is what you don’t.

Learn from my mistakes, and leave these not-so-essential items behind.

A packed suitcase from above on the bed on a holiday or a business trip containing a water bottle, an unlocked smartphone, a cosmetic bag, sunglasses, plane tickets, clothes and keys

Credit: Getty Images

The stakes are high when it comes topacking, especially if you choose just to bring a carry-on.

That means space is at a premium.

Everything you pack must serve a purpose and if it doesn’t, it must remain at home.

(What if I need hiking clothes and my regular working out clothes?

The process gets exponentially more complicated as the length of a trip increases.

Before I finally perfected the art of theexpertly packed carry-on suitcase, I failed.

And I failed a lot.

To help you properly pack your carry-on suitcase, I’m sharing everything I’ve regretted packing in mine.

Umbrella, yes, several times, but the raincoat stayed in my suitcase.

My stylish trench coat got plenty of wear, and the weighty raincoat just took up precious room.

On my next trip across the pond, I’ll bring apackable rain ponchoinstead.

I now leave behind my old travel pillow, preferring theAirComfy Easepillow for overnight flights.

If your clothes get soiled on your trip, you’ll want the option of washing them.

Excessive skincare products

I have a vested interest in my skincare routine.

Fewer skincare products in my carry-on, more room for everything else.