Knock Your Socks Off Packing List For Women
If you read “Knock Your Socks Off Packing List For Men,” you can skip over the first half of this post to the actual packing list for women. I wanted to have a consistent justification for packing light.
Don’t Forget Your Passport!!
You won’t ever fear luggage carousel.
You’ll Save money!!
Reducing your weight means a smaller carbon footprint.
You don’t have to bring everything.
Your back will thank you!!
Let’s start off by smashing an old assumption. Airlines don’t lose as much luggage as you might think. However, if you ask anyone, you’ll probably hear some overly detailed horror story of lost luggage. In the United States, an average of 1 in 150 people have their checked baggage misdirected or left behind each year. It’s happened to us a number of times. In 2017, a DOT report stated that the airline mishandled 346,276 pieces of luggage as reported by their 122 million passengers that year. That breaks down to 2.84 mishandled bags per every 1,000 passengers. Yes, it’s an inconvenience, but it’s not the end of the world.
Regardless of whether you pay extra for the airline to handle your luggage, you expect to get it back shortly after you land. Lost-baggage reports were most common among the regional carriers. I won’t get into which ones, but the information I’m finding is conflicting and I’m not looking to bash any particular company. In 2017, consumers filed about 18,000 formal complaints about airlines with the DOT. That number is similar number to 2016. Complaints are not that common, averaging just 1.35 complaints per 100,000 passengers.
But let’s face it; it’s not just the fear of losing luggage that travelers are choosing carry-on only; it’s expensive!! Major airlines charge $25 each way unless you have “royal” status or the an elite credit card. Southwest seems to be the only major U.S. airline not to charge for a checked bag. Please correct me if I’m wrong. There seems to be a charge for everything; your bag is overweight, you have an extra bag, your carry-on weighs more than a new born baby. As a matter of fact, the airlines made over $4.5 billion dollars in excess bag fees in 2017. We’ve heard it all and now we refuse to pay extra. Don’t feed the beast!!
Let’s delve into the climate debate for a moment. Emissions from airplanes contribute 11 percent of all transportation related emissions in the US. According to the NY Times, taking one round-trip flight between New York and California generates about 20 percent of the greenhouse gases that your car emits over an entire year. The aviation industry estimates there are about 20,000 planes in use around the world, serving three billion passengers annually. By 2040, more than 50,000 planes could be in service, and they are expected to fly more often.
If you are like many people, flying may constitute a large portion of your carbon footprint. If you fly, you’re contributing to greenhouse gases, but reducing your weight can make you a bit greener.
A few months ago, my parents, traveling with two other couples, brought about 25 pieces of luggage on 30 day cruise. They packed a full sized van and had to sit with bags in between them. It was actually quite comical!! I’ve added the picture my Dad sent me. Upon departure from the ship, the cruise company actually misplaced one of the bags. Not surprising since there were so many. It contained all of my Mother’s medication. They returned it two days later without issue.
On a recent trip, I went down to visit a concierge in a small boutique hotel when I ran into a family of four who had just arrived from overseas. The concierge looked stunned. Bewildered, I walked into the lobby of the small hotel only to find a ton, literally not figuratively, of luggage. OK; slight exaggeration! They looked exhausted from carrying it all around. I asked them how long they were staying, “a week” Dad announced. The concierge rolled his eyes and we both had a good chuckle about it later on. We couldn’t imagine getting it up to the room or where they were going to put everything once there. I literally walked out of that hotel with my backpack and had an awesome weeklong experience. I could go on with other stories, but will leave you with this joke. How can you always tell an American from other tourists? By how many suitcases they carry. We’re just so used to having everything, it’s hard for many of us to do without.
30 days of luggage for 3 couples.
Having said that, Lets’s just knock a few pair of socks off our packing list, you really don’t need them. You are traveling to enjoy the sights, not be inconvenienced by lugging around a bunch of junk that you won’t even use. No; you don’t need a pair of underwear for every day you are away. I always joke and tell people I turn mine inside out. They’re grossed out!! Washing laundry in a sink or a washing machine is easy. Believe it or not each are available in most areas of the world.
Stop being such a clean freak. The U.S. is probably the only country in the world whose citizens take two showers a day and obsess over wearing different outfits for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you want to have a fashion show; stay home; your missing the point of travel. You can wear something twice or even three times before washing it. Especially, if you have right clothes.
You’re screeching, Eeeeew gross!! Get over it. It’s a big world with much to see and traveling light can be liberating. I’ve personally seen many travelers miss a train or a connecting flight because they were dragging around a bunch of bags. Just pack smart and you’ll really enjoy the time you travel.
Bigger is not always better when traveling. As a matter of fact, more is less. Suitcases can be cumbersome and even rolling cases can encourage you to bring more than needed.
“Overpack. It’s why suitcases have wheels ”
Here’s my extended travel multi-season packing list for women to optimize your trip and enjoy the journey:
(Even if you don’t use this list, follow my rule of thumb; pack once and then cut it in half.) Modify as the seasons change, but these are my “GO” bags. I don’t have to think much. We can leave in a flash!!
23.4 lbs Total!!
I packed EVERYTHING on my list and the total for the two bags was 23.4 lbs. If we travel together, we tend to split the electronics and miscellaneous items.
(All photos of products are owned by the respective producer or retailer)
Carry-on Luggage:
Hynes Eagle 38L Flight Approved Weekender Carry on Backpack (1.76 lbs)
Osprey Siskin 12 pack (Depending on the trip, Michele will carry the Love 41 bag, Osprey or the Kavu.)
Michele will carry this pack, the Kavu pack listed in the mens list, or a small leather bucket bag from Saddleback leather (Love 41).
The packing list:
Shoes – Three pairs of shoes Olukai sandals, All Birds Tree Breezers ballet flats, and a Merrell water sneaker
2 pair of Smartwool socks
3 pant (2 dressy, 1 active)
1 maxi skirt
1 jumpsuit
1 pair of shorts
5 tops
1 light sweater that can dress up or down depending on pants and accessories
1 camisole
1 belt
Inexpensive jewelry
1 colorful scarf to dress up casual clothes
Eddie Bauer packable down jacket
Marmot rain jacket.
Bathing suit
Nightshirt with spandex shorts for sleeping
7 pair of underwear
2 bras
Specific Examples That Michele Packs With Link For Each
Bottoms
Undergarments
Extremely easy to wash and dry. Multiple colors available.
Tops
This shirt has hidden pockets!! It’s an awesome all around travel shirt!
This shirts has hidden credit card/ID pockets.
Shoes
Outerwear
Miscellaneous:
1 Smartwool cap
Trucker cap
Analog wristwatch
UGG Half finger gloves
Reading glasses
Oakley sunglasses and case
Travel pillow
Cashmere scarf
Earplugs
Gorilla tape (repairs)
Travel journal/notebook
Paracord (laundry line)
Map/Guide for destination
Stanley water bottle
Electronics:
12” Ipad Pro
Iphone 6s plus
Klipsch ear buds
Waterproof Sony Cybershot DSC-TX30 w/Carl Zeiss lens
2 batteries/charger for Sony
Feelle Solar charger/ battery pack
2 Charging cords
Car charger adapter for cord
SDA card and reader
Mobal International Pay as you go cell phone with UK number. (back up phone)
In a toiletry bag:
Essential medications
Travel size deodorant/toothpaste/shampoo/shave cream/lotion
Feminine products
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Make-up
Small first aid kit with blister relief
Bull Frog 36 spf sunscreen stick
Razor
Toothbrush
Hair care products (carried in leakproof twist cap bottles)
Brush
Concentrated laundry detergent (container with screw cap)
Michele wearing her Coldwater Creek skirt and ExOfficio tank top
