As a girl, I used to be a heavy packer when it came to traveling. I had the “I-might-need-this” syndrome. (Actually, I’m still a victim.) And yes! I always had to sit on my luggage to close it…
Now, as an effort to pack lighter, no matter my destination or the length of my trip, my goal is to fill HALF of my luggage capacity. (Trust me, less is more! You always end up coming back home with more stuff.) If I’m going away for less than 2 weeks, I’ll bring a 21” carry-on rolling luggage but if the trip lasts more than 2 weeks, I’ll bring the 24” rolling luggage instead. (Sorry Rick Steves!)
Ladies! Whether you’re visiting Paris, London, San Francisco or your neighbor’s house, this checklist will be helpful.
Travel Checklist for Women
Clothing
√ 1 coat (that can be folded and used as a pillow).
√ 1 scarf (that can be used as a blanket).
√ 1 hat (or 1 tuque if winter).
√ 1 pair of gloves (if winter).
√ 2 pairs of pants (1 casual that can be used as pajama pants & 1 fancy).
√ 5 shirts (ONLY).
√ 1 dress (or 1 skirt).
√ 1 cardigan.
√ 1 swimsuit (if summer).
√ 2 bras (1 beige & 1 black).
√ 7 panties (in every color).
√ 4 pairs of socks.
√ 2 pairs of shoes.
– Summer : 1 pair of sandals & 1 pair of comfy flats.
– Winter : 1 pair of boots & 1 pair of comfy flats.
Toiletries/Medicine
√ Sunglasses & contact lenses (with case & travel size solution).
√ Loofah/washcloth.
√ Small towel.
√ Mini-detergent.
√ Mini-shampoo, mini-conditioner & mini-body wash (just refill them as you go).
√ Travel size hair oil.
√ Razor (non-electric) & extra blades.
√ Toothbrush, mini-toothpaste, mini-mouthwash & dental floss.
√ Sunscreen (anything over SPF 35).
√ Gel deodorant.
√ Makeup essentials : 1 foundation bottle, 1 concealer, 1 blush, 1 brush, 1 mascara, 1 eyeliner, 1 lipstick & 1 lipgloss.
√ Small perfume sample.
√ Q-tips.
√ 1 pack of makeup remover wipes.
√ Pads/tampons.
√ Tweezers & compact mirror.
Jewelry
√ 2 pairs of earrings.
√ 1 necklace.
√ 1 bracelet.
√ 1 watch.
Hair
√ Flat iron (make sure it supports the country’s voltage otherwise it will burn out. FYI, Canada runs on 110 volts but European countries run on 220 volts.)
or
√ Curling wand & glove.
or
√ Hair dryer.
and
√ 1 hair brush & 1 hair comb.
√ 1 headband.
√ 3 hair elastics.
√ 2 hair clips.
√ 1 pack of bobby pins.
Other
√ ID tag.
√ Ziploc bags (to organize everything! Keep a few extras just in case! I like to use big bags for shoes and small bags for makeup/lotions.)
√ 1 plastic bag (for wet clothes).
√ 1 laundry bag (for dirty clothes).
√ 1 reusable shopping bag (to carry your coat, purse & souvenirs).
√ Scotch tape (to avoid spilling messes by covering bottle caps).
√ Tiny lock.
Inside my purse
√ Glasses.
√ Comfort drops.
√ Sleeping mask (for a quick & easy snooze).
√ Ear plugs (SO PRACTICAL! Especially for train/bus rides & flights).
√ 1 pair of socks.
√ Gum.
√ Medication (Tylenol/Advil, Benadryl), prescriptions & vitamins.
√ Mini-Vaseline (great for hands & feet).
√ 1 pack of refreshing wipes.
√ 1 pack of tissues.
√ Hand sanitizer.
√ First-aid kit.
√ Empty Ziploc bag (just in case!)
√ Empty plastic bag.
√ Book.
√ Camera, extra battery & charger.
√ Ipod & charger.
√ Phone & charger.
√ Small earbuds with integrated microphone.
√ USB flash drive.
√ Plug adapters (optional).
√ Pen & paper.
√ Pre-filled inventory form like this one. (Luckily, my luggage has never been “lost” yet. However, I like to fill this form ahead of time because losing your luggage seems stressful! Being prepared reduces the stress. Everybody should have this habit!)
√ Important documents (ex: tickets, hotel reservation, map, phone numbers, address list for postcards…).
Inside my money belt
√ Passport & 2 identity cards, including your driver’s license. (Don’t forget to make a photocopy for your luggage and another one for home. If you lose it, it’ll be easier to get a replacement.)
√ Credit card. (Don’t forget to call your credit card company to say that you’re going on vacation!)
√ Cash.
√ Emergency information (like phone numbers, addresses, allergies, itinerary…)
Tips:
- Shave/wax/bleach/pluck/apply nail polish/sleep before the trip.
- Wrap bottle caps with scotch tape to avoid spilling messes. Then, store the bottles in sealable Ziploc bags since pressure variations during flights may make them leak! In fact, I use Ziplocs for e-ve-ry-thing. It’s a great way to organize my stuff and they take up less space!
- Clotheslines are a rip-off. Don’t buy one. They won’t hold.
- ONLY BRING STUFF THAT YOU NEED TO SURVIVE. I know it’s hard to leave your expensive moisturizer/face mask/body scrub at home… But you have to do it.
- Don’t bring a sewing kit “just in case” if you don’t know how to sew (like me haha!).
- PLAN OUTFITS. Don’t carelessly throw clothes in your luggage. I like to blend 2 neutral colors (white/tan/black/navy/gray) with 1 vibrant color (red/pink/orange/yellow/blue/green/purple). That way, you can mix & match your clothes to create different outfits!
- Rolling your clothes does take up less space but spreading them flat is even better!
- Store your money belt items in a plastic bag before placing them in the money belt! Otherwise, your body sweat will deform them… By the way, money belts have to be worn under your shirt (but over your panties). Don’t leave it in your purse!
- Get properly vaccinated if needed.
- Don’t forget to get travel health insurance.
persianclaws 