Minimalist packing tips!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Merino wool and quick dry fabrics. I like Mons Royale Air-Con, Indyeva.

If it’s warm:
2 tops
2 pants
1 travel dress that’s nice enough for dinner, a concert, wear on the plane
1 dress that can be used for exercise, cover up for the beach, but mainly as a short nightgown.
3 underwear, 2 bras
3 socks
Swim top and swim shorts that can be used for water sports eg SUP but also running, exercise
1 shoe that is good for walking or running
2nd shoe or sandal that’s a little nicer but still ok for walking all day
Light rain coat
Umbrella

If it’s cooler:
Add merino wool baselayer tights
Merino wool long sleeve top and or jacket
Gloves, hat if really cold

Is this for a weekend? Or do you imagine yourself washing your panties is the sink of your hostel? Also—what is an “exercise dress” and are you then sleeping in it after working out? Did you forget to list the heavy perfume you’d need to cover the stench?

Of course you wash out your underwear and bra in the sink every night. I can't understand people who take more than three of each, including what they wear on the plane.

Um, no. I am not 18 and this is not a hostel.

I do this on business travel all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a total travel minimalist but the one dress for exercise, beach, and nightgown has me really confused. 🤔

The idea is to have items for more than one function but if I expect to be wearing the dress in the day time, then I’ll pack a second dress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Merino wool and quick dry fabrics. I like Mons Royale Air-Con, Indyeva.

If it’s warm:
2 tops
2 pants
1 travel dress that’s nice enough for dinner, a concert, wear on the plane
1 dress that can be used for exercise, cover up for the beach, but mainly as a short nightgown.
3 underwear, 2 bras
3 socks
Swim top and swim shorts that can be used for water sports eg SUP but also running, exercise
1 shoe that is good for walking or running
2nd shoe or sandal that’s a little nicer but still ok for walking all day
Light rain coat
Umbrella

If it’s cooler:
Add merino wool baselayer tights
Merino wool long sleeve top and or jacket
Gloves, hat if really cold

Is this for a weekend? Or do you imagine yourself washing your panties is the sink of your hostel? Also—what is an “exercise dress” and are you then sleeping in it after working out? Did you forget to list the heavy perfume you’d need to cover the stench?

Of course you wash out your underwear and bra in the sink every night. I can't understand people who take more than three of each, including what they wear on the plane.

Um, no. I am not 18 and this is not a hostel.

I do this on business travel all the time.

Same. Washing underwear is easy, do it in the shower while you’re washing everything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand what is hard about this? Also don’t understand the obsession with going super minimalist.

We’ll get the car and get to the hotel while you stay here and wait for your luggage! Good luck! Here’s the hotel address again for when you need to Uber…

Seriously, I do not wait for travel companions with luggage issues if you overpack. I’m on to the itinerary and you can catch up whenever.

Last time I was in Europe, we landed at CDG—the baggage claim is by the exit and by the time we got there our luggage was out. Added exactly 0 minutes.

That’s amazing that you are a psychic who can predict the future! I’m glad this went well for you. I’m glad it didn’t end up like this:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/18/mishandled-baggage-rate-almost-doubled-globally-in-2022-as-airlines-scrambled-after-covid#:~:text=Mishandling%20rates%20were%20considerably%20worse,in%20the%20Asia%2DPacific%20region.

Ohs nos—if my checked bag gets lost, I’ll just use the things in my carry on and spend the week looking dirty and rumpled like you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand what is hard about this? Also don’t understand the obsession with going super minimalist.

We’ll get the car and get to the hotel while you stay here and wait for your luggage! Good luck! Here’s the hotel address again for when you need to Uber…

Seriously, I do not wait for travel companions with luggage issues if you overpack. I’m on to the itinerary and you can catch up whenever.

Last time I was in Europe, we landed at CDG—the baggage claim is by the exit and by the time we got there our luggage was out. Added exactly 0 minutes.

That’s amazing that you are a psychic who can predict the future! I’m glad this went well for you. I’m glad it didn’t end up like this:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/18/mishandled-baggage-rate-almost-doubled-globally-in-2022-as-airlines-scrambled-after-covid#:~:text=Mishandling%20rates%20were%20considerably%20worse,in%20the%20Asia%2DPacific%20region.

Ohs nos—if my checked bag gets lost, I’ll just use the things in my carry on and spend the week looking dirty and rumpled like you.

Some of us have effortless chic on lock. It helps to be slender. I also don’t need a huge tub of makeup like certain travelers.

[Anonymous]

It helps if you look good in black. I just got back from Japan, which was insanely hot and humid, yet people wear a lot of black, even with long sleeves to protect from sun damage. One of my clothing items was a merino wool black T shirt, which actually worked really well despite the heat and humidity. Merino wool stays odor free longer, and black just looks good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm planning to wear my heavier pair of shoes on the plane and pack one other pair. I'm wondering if this will be a PITA taking on/off at airport security because the heavier shoes lace up?

If you’re set on the shoes, I’d just loosen the laces enough so you can slip on and off.
Also it depends on the airport. Seems to be the procedure flying out of North America, but not necessarily flying from Europe or Asia. Same for liquids.
The only consistent procedure is remove your laptop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Merino wool and quick dry fabrics. I like Mons Royale Air-Con, Indyeva.

If it’s warm:
2 tops
2 pants
1 travel dress that’s nice enough for dinner, a concert, wear on the plane
1 dress that can be used for exercise, cover up for the beach, but mainly as a short nightgown.
3 underwear, 2 bras
3 socks
Swim top and swim shorts that can be used for water sports eg SUP but also running, exercise
1 shoe that is good for walking or running
2nd shoe or sandal that’s a little nicer but still ok for walking all day
Light rain coat
Umbrella

If it’s cooler:
Add merino wool baselayer tights
Merino wool long sleeve top and or jacket
Gloves, hat if really cold

Is this for a weekend? Or do you imagine yourself washing your panties is the sink of your hostel? Also—what is an “exercise dress” and are you then sleeping in it after working out? Did you forget to list the heavy perfume you’d need to cover the stench?

Sweaty Betty dress, link below. But if I expect to be swimming or exercising regularly, then I’ll bring two dresses. One for sleeping in only. Otherwise, the one dress is just in case I hit a beach or SUP, to have the flexibility. Usually on a trip, I do so much walking to explore that I’m not working out in addition.

https://www.sweatybetty.com/us/sale/sale-bottoms/sale-dresses-jumpsuits/explorer-club-mini-dress--SB8900_AmbientPink.html?pid=SB8900_AmbientPink&dwvar_SB8900_AmbientPink_color=black&vgid=SB8900_AmbientPink&cgid=sale-dresses-jumpsuits&newpid=SB8900_Black&oldpid=SB8900_AmbientPink

What kind of exercise do you do in this dress?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand what is hard about this? Also don’t understand the obsession with going super minimalist.

We’ll get the car and get to the hotel while you stay here and wait for your luggage! Good luck! Here’s the hotel address again for when you need to Uber…

Seriously, I do not wait for travel companions with luggage issues if you overpack. I’m on to the itinerary and you can catch up whenever.

Why are you in such a crazy rush?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Merino wool and quick dry fabrics. I like Mons Royale Air-Con, Indyeva.

If it’s warm:
2 tops
2 pants
1 travel dress that’s nice enough for dinner, a concert, wear on the plane
1 dress that can be used for exercise, cover up for the beach, but mainly as a short nightgown.
3 underwear, 2 bras
3 socks
Swim top and swim shorts that can be used for water sports eg SUP but also running, exercise
1 shoe that is good for walking or running
2nd shoe or sandal that’s a little nicer but still ok for walking all day
Light rain coat
Umbrella

If it’s cooler:
Add merino wool baselayer tights
Merino wool long sleeve top and or jacket
Gloves, hat if really cold

Is this for a weekend? Or do you imagine yourself washing your panties is the sink of your hostel? Also—what is an “exercise dress” and are you then sleeping in it after working out? Did you forget to list the heavy perfume you’d need to cover the stench?

Of course you wash out your underwear and bra in the sink every night. I can't understand people who take more than three of each, including what they wear on the plane.

Underwear takes up little room and I like them to be actually clean?

[Anonymous]

What kind of trip? How long? Laundry access?

I once spent an entire week with no luggage in the middle of nowhere (thanks, Newark airport). I was able to find socks, underwear, and a sweatshirt, but otherwise only had what I flew in (jeans), and hiking pants and PJs that I stuffed in my carry on so I would have one set of clothes ready to go. I survived. And mostly sort of enjoyed not having choices or clothes to manage.

I learned that you can truly get by on 2 outfits. Wear them each twice, getting you 4 days, and then do some sink laundry, getting you through the rest of the week. I mean, I don't choose to go for a week with only 2 outfits, but I use that mentality when I pack now - rewearing and sink laundry, and not caring about repeats in pictures. If you need nicer evening clothes, you are only wearing them for a few hours in a cooler part of the day, so you can very easily re wear those - I bring lighter dresses that are easy to pack, and quick to dry if I do need to wash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wear bottoms (jeans, dark shorts) multiple days. In the summer, bring only one sweater or light jacket. Bring 2 pairs of shoes max - wear one, pack one. Thin cotton shirts or synthetics dry quickly -- just wash out the underarms if you're in a rush. No heated hair tools and no big hair brushes (combs only, as needed). Wear one pair (max two) of earrings.

yep it’s the earrings that are really weighing your bag down! Wtf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wear bottoms (jeans, dark shorts) multiple days. In the summer, bring only one sweater or light jacket. Bring 2 pairs of shoes max - wear one, pack one. Thin cotton shirts or synthetics dry quickly -- just wash out the underarms if you're in a rush. No heated hair tools and no big hair brushes (combs only, as needed). Wear one pair (max two) of earrings.

yep it’s the earrings that are really weighing your bag down! Wtf

NP but yeah maybe the earrings don't make a difference in packing "light" but it does eliminate the mental load of packing. I use to sit there matching earrings to each outfit. Now I throw on some plain studs, maybe a dangly pair of there's reason for it, and that's it. I don't think about the neckline of every outfit and what needs a different necklace or earrings. I never look at old travel pics and think "wow those earrings look great with that mountain"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of trip? How long? Laundry access?

I once spent an entire week with no luggage in the middle of nowhere (thanks, Newark airport). I was able to find socks, underwear, and a sweatshirt, but otherwise only had what I flew in (jeans), and hiking pants and PJs that I stuffed in my carry on so I would have one set of clothes ready to go. I survived. And mostly sort of enjoyed not having choices or clothes to manage.

I learned that you can truly get by on 2 outfits. Wear them each twice, getting you 4 days, and then do some sink laundry, getting you through the rest of the week. I mean, I don't choose to go for a week with only 2 outfits, but I use that mentality when I pack now - rewearing and sink laundry, and not caring about repeats in pictures. If you need nicer evening clothes, you are only wearing them for a few hours in a cooler part of the day, so you can very easily re wear those - I bring lighter dresses that are easy to pack, and quick to dry if I do need to wash.

Yes exactly, it’s really a mentality. Agree there’s something freeing about not being weighed down by choices.

It’s also really great to just walk off the plane and be ready to explore the city. Or to check out of your hotel and not worry about where to store your luggage until your next flight or train etc. It’s about having more freedom and being less unencumbered.

It’s not for everyone, but the OP asked for tips on minimalist packing. If that’s not for you, check out another thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wear bottoms (jeans, dark shorts) multiple days. In the summer, bring only one sweater or light jacket. Bring 2 pairs of shoes max - wear one, pack one. Thin cotton shirts or synthetics dry quickly -- just wash out the underarms if you're in a rush. No heated hair tools and no big hair brushes (combs only, as needed). Wear one pair (max two) of earrings.

yep it’s the earrings that are really weighing your bag down! Wtf

NP but yeah maybe the earrings don't make a difference in packing "light" but it does eliminate the mental load of packing. I use to sit there matching earrings to each outfit. Now I throw on some plain studs, maybe a dangly pair of there's reason for it, and that's it. I don't think about the neckline of every outfit and what needs a different necklace or earrings. I never look at old travel pics and think "wow those earrings look great with that mountain"

DP. Exactly, it’s not just about the weight or volume. It’s about keeping things simple.