Tips for Minimalist Packing

So you’re off on a summer holiday and trying to decide whether a hand-carry suitcase will be sufficient or should you pay for extra luggage. We know its hard to figure out how to pack light. Here are our tips for a minimalist packing style to travel with no fuss ever again!

1. Versatility is key

Our number one tip for travelling is to choose clothing that can be mixed and matched easily. Neutral colours tend to be best for this category, for example a white linen tshirt like this one can be worn with just about everything. You can choose dresses that are casual enough to wear during the day  but can also easily be worn at night with heels and accessories. A sarong is another example of a versatile item that can double as a scarf/ a blanket and even an outfit if its large enough! By choosing clothing by their versatility, you can significantly reduce the number of items you take with you.

2. Planning is your friend

Prepare for your trip by taking some time to think about your holiday. How many days will you be going for? What kind of activities will you be doing? What is the weather like? By doing some planning ahead of the trip you can save lots of luggage space. If its forecast to be sunny for the entire period at your destination, you can probably leave the umbrella behind. Going away for 5 days? Plan outfits for each day, thinking about which styles can be worn with multiple outfits (remember you can always do laundry while you are away). Planning might seem like a lot of effort before a holiday, but it will save you so much energy and space in the long run!

3. Must haves vs Just in case..

With all your items but especially with toiletries, make-up and jewellery think about what you ‘must have’ vs ‘just in case’ scenarios. It is tempting to bring along every shade of lipstick you own and 10 pairs of earrings, just in case a situation arises but it brings a false sense of security. You cannot pack for any and every eventuality so the sooner you let go of this idea and focus on packing essentials that you know you will need, the sooner you can relax into holiday mode. Packing only the essential items also builds your confidence in learning to adapt and be creative with what you do have. Worse case scenario, if you left something behind and ended up really needing it, unless you are going to the North Pole you can always purchase it while you are on holiday.

 Bonus Tips

• Find out ahead of time what items are already provided at your accommodation. There is no need to bring a hair dryer if one is already provided at your hotel!
• Roll your clothing- it takes up much less space
• Bring toiletries that can do double duty- such as 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioners. Everything else store in mini containers to save space

Packing like a minimalist is not easy if you are accustomed to travelling with everything you could ever need.  However eliminating what you don’t need, packing light and sticking to essential items  you love that will work for a number of situations is a liberating process. It will also mean you don’t do that walk of shame when you arrive at the hotel with more luggage than one woman should ever have!