For any trip length don’t forget the importance of what you are wearing the day you depart. Wear clothes that will take up the most space and/or be the warmest. For example, jeans and a versatile sweater can both be re-worn for night time outings and when you return home at the end of the journey. All of the packing lists below are in addition to this travel day outfit you’ll embark in.
Short Stays
Weekends away are supposed to be two things: spontaneous and easy. Don’t weigh yourself down by packing a huge bag. Not only will you feel freer with less stuff, your friends will surely be impressed by how you put together your look with such a small bag.
The key to packing for a weekend away is sticking to the same color scheme and packing versatile basics. This way everything can be paired together in some way. Basic tops can be worn during the day casually and dressed up at night with jewelry. Shoes are also tricky since they take up the most space. Wear some classy flats which can be worn for exploring new parts of a city but also paired with jeans or a dress at night.
A small makeup bag: Stick with your favorite basics and just add one fancy eye shadow or lipstick. Less is more anyway!
Dry shampoo: There’s no time for hair washing and blow drying when you are short on time.
1-2 versatile tops
Two changes of underwear
A dress
Some pajama shorts and a thin top that can be rolled small
Some show-stopping jewelry: A big, colorful necklace can totally change a basic top. Dangly earrings are good for taking a plain dress and making it more exciting.
Throw in some sandals depending on the trip
7 day holiday
Just because you are going away for a week, doesn’t mean you have to pack your largest suitcase. A medium sized duffle bag or a carryon can still do the trick. Often times, packing too much just leads to a few outfits that never get touched anyway.
Small makeup bag: Pack all your basics plus a few fancy additions.
A toiletry bag: Travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash are the perfect size for a week. Throw in a mini toothpaste and a mini mouthwash and you’re set.
A small Ziploc bag of laundry detergent: Halfway through the week, do a quick wash of any underwear and your favorite top in the hotel sink. You can have a fresh pair of clothes on your last day or when you are heading home.
Yoga pants: Great as pyjamas or for travel days.
4-5 tops: You don’t need too many, as you can do a wash midweek.
A dress or a skirt for going out.
A pair of shorts or if it’s winter an extra pair of jeans, preferable ones that can be dressed up and down.
A change of shoes.
Some daytime jewelry and a few fancy pieces for going out.
Suitcase Sound of Music
Long Stays
Long trips do not mean you should be filling your largest travel backpack or suitcase to the brim. In fact, the more extra space in your bag the better. Having extra suitcase space will save you a ton of hassle on the journey back home when you are trying to bring back all those cute new clothes and souvenirs you found. Yes, this will happen.
Don’t waste time filling up travel sized toiletries for a long trip. You’ll end up running out halfway through your trip anyway. In fact, skip bringing the shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen altogether. Instead, buy it all when you get there. Once you’re done with your trip you can leave it all behind as well.
A sarong or large shawl: Whether you’ll be in a hot climate or a cold one, one of these is crucial. Sarongs can be worn as a cover up, used as a blanket, a pillow cover, an emergency towel or even a scarf.
Ziploc of laundry detergent, or buy some when you arrive in the country.
5-6 tops basic and versatile tops. If you start to get sick of them, you can always buy something new and leave one behind.
1-2 dresses.
Underwear.
Some tennis shoes (and socks!) and some thin sandals.
An extra pair of pants/jeans.
A pair of shorts and/or a skirt.
Yoga pants and some comfy shorts, both can be worn as pajamas or on lounge days.
Short Stays
Weekends away are supposed to be two things: spontaneous and easy. Don’t weigh yourself down by packing a huge bag. Not only will you feel freer with less stuff, your friends will surely be impressed by how you put together your look with such a small bag.
The key to packing for a weekend away is sticking to the same color scheme and packing versatile basics. This way everything can be paired together in some way. Basic tops can be worn during the day casually and dressed up at night with jewelry. Shoes are also tricky since they take up the most space. Wear some classy flats which can be worn for exploring new parts of a city but also paired with jeans or a dress at night.
A small makeup bag: Stick with your favorite basics and just add one fancy eye shadow or lipstick. Less is more anyway!
Dry shampoo: There’s no time for hair washing and blow drying when you are short on time.
1-2 versatile tops
Two changes of underwear
A dress
Some pajama shorts and a thin top that can be rolled small
Some show-stopping jewelry: A big, colorful necklace can totally change a basic top. Dangly earrings are good for taking a plain dress and making it more exciting.
Throw in some sandals depending on the trip
7 day holiday
Just because you are going away for a week, doesn’t mean you have to pack your largest suitcase. A medium sized duffle bag or a carryon can still do the trick. Often times, packing too much just leads to a few outfits that never get touched anyway.
Small makeup bag: Pack all your basics plus a few fancy additions.
A toiletry bag: Travel-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner and body wash are the perfect size for a week. Throw in a mini toothpaste and a mini mouthwash and you’re set.
A small Ziploc bag of laundry detergent: Halfway through the week, do a quick wash of any underwear and your favorite top in the hotel sink. You can have a fresh pair of clothes on your last day or when you are heading home.
Yoga pants: Great as pyjamas or for travel days.
4-5 tops: You don’t need too many, as you can do a wash midweek.
A dress or a skirt for going out.
A pair of shorts or if it’s winter an extra pair of jeans, preferable ones that can be dressed up and down.
A change of shoes.
Some daytime jewelry and a few fancy pieces for going out.
Suitcase Sound of Music
Long Stays
Long trips do not mean you should be filling your largest travel backpack or suitcase to the brim. In fact, the more extra space in your bag the better. Having extra suitcase space will save you a ton of hassle on the journey back home when you are trying to bring back all those cute new clothes and souvenirs you found. Yes, this will happen.
Don’t waste time filling up travel sized toiletries for a long trip. You’ll end up running out halfway through your trip anyway. In fact, skip bringing the shampoo, conditioner and sunscreen altogether. Instead, buy it all when you get there. Once you’re done with your trip you can leave it all behind as well.
A sarong or large shawl: Whether you’ll be in a hot climate or a cold one, one of these is crucial. Sarongs can be worn as a cover up, used as a blanket, a pillow cover, an emergency towel or even a scarf.
Ziploc of laundry detergent, or buy some when you arrive in the country.
5-6 tops basic and versatile tops. If you start to get sick of them, you can always buy something new and leave one behind.
1-2 dresses.
Underwear.
Some tennis shoes (and socks!) and some thin sandals.
An extra pair of pants/jeans.
A pair of shorts and/or a skirt.
Yoga pants and some comfy shorts, both can be worn as pajamas or on lounge days.