Top 10 tips for being a minimalist packer!

Hello fellow budget hunters!

Most of us are definitely not minimalist anyone who has ever seen my wardrobe can vouch for that. However, I have been making an effort to tidy up my life and clear out all the unnecessary items that I don’t need. I currently own far too many clothes still, but after 6 bags of clothes donated I think I am doing fine. I will clear a lot of my scruffy clothes out in few months when I move out, I still currently wear them for training. (I should do more laundry but shhh)

I have only bought a few items of clothing in the past year – And I lived over the whole summer with 6 t-shirts. That wasn’t just the 5 weeks away, I stayed at my parents house where I have the odd few clothes left. I like travelling light, but I hate getting rid of everything so I decided I should tell you how to pack light rather than be a hypocritical minimalist!

I was the world’s worst packer when I was younger, taking 23 pairs of shoes to France with us in the car when I was 13. I own less than 7 pairs of shoes now, with 3 pairs that I actually wear! However after my trip to Nepal I became a minimalist packer, much before I even realised such a word existed. I barely fill my hand luggage sized rucksack for a week away at the moment, but it also helps that my clothes are fairly tiny and fold down small.

So here is my 10 tips on how to pack like a minimalist:

1. Bags – Less Luggage, More Comfort!

Cheap flights always come with expensive hold luggage costs, even Ryanair has a decent sized suitcase or rucksack allowance and who really needs 20kg?

There are a lot of under a week trips, where most people can travel with just a carry-on but instead, we carry a lot just because we are used to it.  Just think about what you actually need – YOU WON’T CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES 3 TIMES A DAY ON HOLIDAY!!

 

2. Clothes – Mix & Match

Pack clothes which match with everything else, so that you can mix and match and get different looks. It is well known that neutral shades help to create combinations of outfits from a handful of tops and bottoms. I usually wear a lot of white tops which go well with almost any kind of shorts/skirts.

For women, scarves & shawls can also be smartly chosen to create multiple looks.

Clothes which are light to carry & dry is always the best option.

3. Shoes/Footwear – Carry what you need & not what you love

You do not need 10 pairs of heels/sandals for a trip – I shout this at my former self and her awful packing skills. I usually pack about 3 pairs of flip flops/sandals/jelly shoes – yes I love my jelly shoes and have lived in the same two beaten up pairs for 3 years now. Make sure your shoes are comfortable for walking around, then I have flipflops for when my sandals rub (My feet blister for no apparent reason) and then a nicer pair of sandals for going out.

I also throw them into the waterbottle holders in my bag, always extra space then!

4. Toiletries – Take the minimum

I actually only use a few products, normally we also share if its a couple’s trip. What’s the point in having two lots of toothpaste or shower gel?

Just stick to under 100ml and pack the essentials like shampoo, suncream, showergel or soap (much easier to take bars through) deodorant, toothpaste and a bit of perfume! Anything else is a bonus..

 

5. Smaller Bags – Such a blessing

Always take a small bag or rucksack with you as it can be such a help for spending the whole day walking around one city. I have a fold down rucksack, which saves space and means I can carry water around with us all day. Just empty them first, also goes for purses and wallets. Make sure you don’t take your unnecessary git cards or loyalty cards on a world trip.

6. MakeUp & Accessories – Theme for the trip

I barely wear make up – I kind of got fed up around sixth form and only wear it for special occasions now. However, I would suggest just taking the bare minimum – especially if you’re going somewhere sunny where you will tan and don’t need foundation. Also all in one palettes are the best things ever, use products for more that one thing eg blush and eyeshadow.

7. Snacks – Less is more

Some snacks for the road does not mean to pack for an eating competition. So you don’t really need to buy a lot of snacks, but buy only what you love and what you need from an energy perspective.

I always buy food to take through the airports and eat on the plane, but many snacks don’t travel well so just buy a few nibbles when you’ve arrived.

8. Carry a Reusable bag

The rucksack is great, but we also make sure to have a carrier bag or bag for life with us, just for food shop runs or just general day to day stuff.

9. Electronics & Gadgets 

Think about if you really need a tablet, a laptop & a phone during your trip. Once you plan your activities and routes, you may be able to get away with a few. Or if you’re like me – everything broke while we were away, thankfully everything was booked before and all our flight check ins were done on our mobiles.

BUT, don’t forget your travel adaptors – or you will be like us in Cluj… where we spent an evening playing ‘tabletop rugby’ with some coins.

10. Carry, Hire or Buy – Make the Right Call

Compare what is the best option for each item – to carry it, hire it or buy it at the destination.

It would make better sense if you can hire a snorkeling gear for a reasonable price if you are going to snorkel only once on your two-week trip. ALTHOUGH we did buy our own in Spain and carry them across Europe (and they were used twice, because our beach week was rearranged!)

Similarly I take a travel towel but use everyone provided in hotels or by airbnb hosts as fluffy towels are so much nicer!

Hope you enjoyed – have you got any tips?

The Great Ambini

x x x