For any trip, don’t forget the importance of what you wear 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 be re-worn for nighttime outings and when you return home at the end of the journey. All the packing lists below are in addition to this travel day outfit you’ll embark on.
Short Stays
Weekends away are supposed to be two things: spontaneous and effortless. Don’t weigh yourself down by packing a huge bag. Not only will you feel freer with less stuff, but 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. 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 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 change a basic top. Dangly earrings are suitable 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 most enormous suitcase. A medium-sized duffle bag or a carry-on can still do the trick. Packing too much often 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, quickly wash any underwear and your favorite top in the hotel sink. You can wear fresh clothes on your last day or head home.
Yoga pants: Great as pajamas 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 an extra pair of jeans, preferably onespreferablybe dressed up and down if it's winter.
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 fill your most enormous travel backpack or suitcase to the brim. In fact, the more extra space in your bag, the better. Extra suitcase space will save you a ton of hassle on the journey 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.
A sarong or large shawl: Whether in a hot or cold climate, one of these is crucial. Sarongs can be worn as a cover-up, 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 get sick of them, you can always buy something new and leave it 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 can be worn as pajamas or on lounge days.
Short Stays
Weekends away are supposed to be two things: spontaneous and effortless. Don’t weigh yourself down by packing a huge bag. Not only will you feel freer with less stuff, but 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. 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 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 change a basic top. Dangly earrings are suitable 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 most enormous suitcase. A medium-sized duffle bag or a carry-on can still do the trick. Packing too much often 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, quickly wash any underwear and your favorite top in the hotel sink. You can wear fresh clothes on your last day or head home.
Yoga pants: Great as pajamas 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 an extra pair of jeans, preferably onespreferablybe dressed up and down if it's winter.
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 fill your most enormous travel backpack or suitcase to the brim. In fact, the more extra space in your bag, the better. Extra suitcase space will save you a ton of hassle on the journey 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.
A sarong or large shawl: Whether in a hot or cold climate, one of these is crucial. Sarongs can be worn as a cover-up, 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 get sick of them, you can always buy something new and leave it 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 can be worn as pajamas or on lounge days.
