An Easy Guide to the Art of Minimalist Packing

Picture this: You are leaving for a weekend trip on a boat with four people and you will be sharing cabins. You pack THREE suitcases, one of which has nothing but books. You have hairdryer, curling iron, all the styling products, bathing suits, shorts, dresses, and more. You come home, and you never used 90% of what you packed. Sounds ridiculous, right? That was me years ago. Now, I have embraced minimalist packing, and I will never go back to my old habits of overpacking. Want to learn more?

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What is Minimalist Packing?

Before you can embrace minimalist packing, let’s talk about the philosophy behind minimalist packing, which is at its core, packing light. Packing light is basically packing only what is necessary, and taking out anything that is not needed. It is based in packing simply and intentionally based on your destination. Minimalist packing or packing light gives you a sense of freedom in your travels. Minimalist packing can be boiled down to this: planning ahead, considering what you will need for your trip, intentionally thinking about and determining what you will actually need.

The Benefits of Minimalist Packing

Freedom: you can be more flexible, and have greater mobility (ie – not dragging two suitcases everywhere you go). You’ll find it is easy to navigate through airports; easier to use public transportation, and explore remote destinations. And packing light reduces your travel stress.

Avoid Baggage Fees: Packing light brings a cost savings (most of the time) by packing in a carryon, and avoiding additional baggage fees, which can range from $50+. This means more money for experiences during your travels.

Organization: Packing in a minimalist style means no more packing headaches or chaos. Instead of having to search through the “everything but the kitchen sink” in your overpacked luggage, you can organize your items in your luggage, and use packing cubes to help with the organization.

Tips for Minimalist Packing

I want to preface this by sharing that I don’t wear one shirt and one pair of pants more than twice before I wash them; conversely I do wear dresses two to three times before I wash them. On excursions like exploring Barbados or Puerto Rico in 90 degree weather, with the sun beating down on me I only wear the shirt/shorts or dress once, because both my clothes and I smell.

When Jim and I are planning to travel for a week or more we look at options like Air Bnbs, VRBOs, or vacation homes that include a washer and dryer – this way we can wash our clothes. Another option, and we used this option a lot when we were living onboard our 47′ sailboat, is to seek out laundromats who offer “wash and fold” services. This means they will wash your clothes (and I always specified washing our clothes in COLD water). Typically you will pay by the pound for this service, but we averaged a cost of $20 per service. Of course, you can also wash your clothes in the laundromat, but we never wanted to waste our time that way when we could be exploring and making memories.

Best Tips for Packing Minimalist Style

If I am planning to travel for a month I pack 10 days worth of outfits. If I am going on a 3-4 day weekend getaway I pack outfits for three days, and include one nice outfit for going out to dinner.

When I am packing for a trip, there are several things I do:

• Choose a color palette (I like to pack with neutral colors and then add pops of color).
• From here you will use your packing list, making additions and subtractions as needed. Pro Tip: Don’t Have a Packing List? Here is one that is my tried and true!
• Using your color palette, create a capsule wardrobe for your trip. Wait! What is a capsule wardrobe? A small collection of versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. 
• You want to choose colors and patterns that can be mixed and matched and layered easily.
• Pack comfortable and functional footwear.
• As I prepare to pack, I group my outfits together and that is how they will be packed in my packing cubes. Example: If I have one top that I will be wearing with a pair of shorts and a pair of pants, all three items are grouped together. Then if I have a sweater that can be worn with a dress, and the top, shorts, and pants, then all of these items are grouped together.

Top Essentials to Include in Your Minimalist Packing

This guide is based on a 7 day vacation, and also assumes you will have access to a washer and dryer. You can modify this list as needed for your specific vacation.

Clothing:

• Tops: 3-4 versatile tops (e.g., t-shirts, tank tops, blouses) that can be mixed and matched. (Alternative for a three day weekend: 2 tops)
• Bottoms: 2-3 pairs of pants, shorts, or skirts that coordinate with the tops. (Alternative for a three day weekend: 1 pant or shorts and 1 skirt)
• Outerwear: 1 light jacket or cardigan, and a rain jacket if necessary.
• Footwear: 2 pairs of shoes (e.g., comfortable walking shoes and a dressier pair) and optional flip-flops. (Alternative for three day weekend: wear sandals and pack walking shoes)
• Underwear and Socks: Enough for a week, typically 5-7 pairs. (Alternative for three day weekend: 3 pairs)
• Sleepwear: 1 set of pajamas.
• Swimwear: 1 swimsuit if needed.

Toiletries:

• Travel-sized Toiletries: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, and any other personal hygiene items.
• First Aid Kit: Small kit with band-aids, pain relievers, and any necessary medications.
• Reusable Items: Water bottle, and possibly a small towel.

Accessories:

• Packing Cubes: For organization and maximizing space.
• Laundry Bag: For dirty clothes.
• Multi-functional Items: Scarf or pashmina that can be used as a blanket, head cover, or accessory.
• Sunglasses and Hat: For sun protection.

Technology:

• Phone and Charger: Essential for communication and navigation.
• E-book Reader: Optional, for reading on the go.
• Power Bank: To keep devices charged.

Travel Documents / Credit Cards / Cash:

• Passport/ID: Essential for international travel.
• Credit Cards and Cash: For financial transactions.
• Travel Insurance: Documentation for emergencies.

Miscellaneous:

• Reusable Bags: For shopping, use as a beach bag, or additional storage.
• Notebook and Pen: For jotting down notes or travel details.

How to Pack Light for Different Weather Conditions?

The key is packing versatile, multi-purpose items that can be layered or combined in different ways to adapt to changing weather conditions while keeping your luggage light. Here are some tips for packing a minimalist wardrobe that can handle different weather conditions:

Focus on layering pieces:

• Pack lightweight base layers like moisture-wicking t-shirts, tank tops, and long sleeve shirts that can be worn alone or layered under other pieces.
• Bring insulating mid-layers like sweaters, light jackets, and vests that can be added or removed as needed.
• Have an outer shell layer like a rain jacket or warm coat that protects against harsh elements.

Choose versatile fabrics:

• Merino wool and synthetic fabrics dry quickly and provide warmth without bulk.
• Linen, rayon, and other natural fabrics breathe well for warm weather.
• Look for items that can be mixed and matched in different combinations.

Pack according to climate extremes:

• For cold destinations, bring thermal underwear, warm socks, a hat, gloves, and a heavy jacket.
• For hot climates, choose lightweight, loose, and breathable clothing.
• For mixed conditions, layer pieces you can add or remove easily.

Limit shoes and accessories:

• Stick to 2-3 versatile pairs of shoes like sneakers, sandals, and boots.
• Use scarves, wraps, and lightweight jackets to change up outfits.

Do laundry during your trip:

• Pack enough clothes for 5-7 days and plan to wash items during longer trips.
• Choose quick-drying fabrics that can be washed easily.

Wear your bulkiest items during travel

• Wear your heaviest shoes, jacket, and layers during transit to save space.

If you are like I was, a chronic overpacker, there is hope! Organized packing, with a packing list, learning to embrace the joy and freedom that comes with learning how a new packing style and implementing minimalist packing is possible!

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