At the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Summit in New York City on July 15, 2025, Tracee Ellis Ross shared an unexpected travel secret: she only brings two pairs of underwear on vacation—no matter the trip’s length.
Minimalist Packing, Maximum Freedom
“There’s always one bathing suit, a flip flop and one little dress I can roll up,” Ross told Travel + Leisure Editor‑in‑Chief Jacqui Gifford on stage. “And there’s always two undies.” Her precise packing strategy drew laughs—and curiosity—from the audience.
Why so few? Ross noted practicality. “If I’m gone for a month on this trip, you can’t pack a month’s worth of underwear,” she said. “How do you do that? They take up a lot of space.” For her, less really is more.
The Hand-Wash Hack
Ross shared how she keeps such a minimalist wardrobe going: by hand-washing her delicates in hotel sinks. “She’ll use one sink as the washer with a bar of soap,” Ross explained, “then the other sink to rinse off the soap,” before wringing each pair and hanging them on the towel rack to dry. She even joked that she often employs shower gel if soap isn’t available .
This simple routine, she said, ensures she has clean underwear without overpacking. Also, in fancier hotels she enjoys the perk of heated towel racks—making drying easier.
Solo Travel and Self-Discovery
Ross’s two-undies rule isn’t just about saving space—it’s part of a broader philosophy. She’s a proponent of solo trips as a form of personal exploration. In 2023, she advised readers to “Start by going to dinner by yourself on a Friday night,” testing their comfort with solitude. This belief is central to her upcoming show.
New Show: Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross
Ross is launching Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross, a new Rokustreaming series premiering July 25, 2025. She’s both host and executive producer. The show will explore art, food, fashion—and self-reliance on the road.
“I hope this show reminds all of us that we can live our lives courageously on our own terms,” Ross said. “Be our best selves, by ourselves, out in the world.” Her message: independence can be powerful—whether you pack two pairs of underwear or set off on your own.