Are you tired of all those packing lists that are made only for a general male public? Here’s a packing list that’s only focused on how you, as a woman, can pack for any kind of trip!
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Common packing lists and articles are good at giving you an overall feeling for what you’ll need to pack for a specific place. But most of them barely consider gender differences. If you have traveled with male friends or relatives, you know that the priorities are not the same. Especially for beauty-related items, if you happen to forget them, they will not have a spare one. So, here you have a female packing list with all the essentials you’ll need to have the best trips and adventures!
What to Pack: Female Deluxe Edition
Let’s talk first about the duration of your trip. Of course, you won’t pack the same for a weekend out as for a full month abroad, so the amount of stuff you’ll need is completely different.
Short Trips
If you’re going on a business trip or a girls’ trip over the weekend, you won’t need your biggest suitcase with half of your wardrobe in it. Just pack your essential documents, and for clothes, try going for minimalism, and spend some time planning your outfits. You just need 2 or 3. To save more space, choose multi-use pieces. As toiletries and electronics go, pack the more compact ones that you use daily. If you shave and wash your hair on Friday, chances are you’ll still be perfectly presentable on Sunday.
Vacation
Now, if you’re going for more than a couple of days, you’ll need a bit more clothes and toiletries. Depending on where you’re going, you’ll need a bit more than basic clothes. For example, for a tropical getaway, you’ll pack your cutest swimsuit, a spare one, a sarong or beach dress, your glasses, a nice hat, and of course, sunscreen.
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But, if you’re going on a different kind of adventure, with lots of walking and hiking, your packing list is going to change as well. First of all, you’ll need sturdy and comfortable footwear, be it hiking boots or sandals, with comfortable clothes that protect you against the elements.
While at night, you’ll probably want to dress up to have a nice dinner at the resort, or enjoy the city nightlife! For that, you’ll need your makeup and hair essentials. On clothes, go as fancy or as sexy as you want, but do follow the general vibe of the place you’re visiting. For example, if you’re enjoying Paris nightlife, you won’t dress the same as you would for Hawaii.
Long-Term Travel or Moving Abroad
Now is the time to bring out your biggest suitcase, since you’ll be gone for months, or forever. But in this case, the logic is a bit different. While vacationing at a hotel, you’re not thinking of washing your clothes, are you? But now you’re probably moving into an apartment with access to a washing machine.
Moving abroad is the perfect time to really assess what kind of clothes you really love and wear, and leave the rest behind. Pick the essentials in each category, clothes for the day-to-day, some for nights out, and some very formal for your job or job interviews. You can use packing cubes to keep it all more organized. For toiletries and make-up, if the ones you’re currently using are still pretty full and you like them, just pack them.
While Packing, Divide and Conquer
Now that we’ve talked a bit about how the length of your trip can change the items and style of your packing, let’s focus on each category.
Clothing
Women tend to have more clothes than men; that’s not only a long-running joke, but for most females is an absolute truth. And you know what? Be proud of that, we ladies can dress up and be incredibly creative with our clothing. Use it as a form of expression, and if you’re seriously interested in fashion, it can even be an art. Enjoy the fact that we can wear almost every kind of clothes and still look incredible, so let’s pack them.
What clothes to pack for every occasion:
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Everyday Wear: Just grab your most regular and comfortable clothes, your jeans, leggings, and casual tops.
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Dressy Options: Pack a cocktail dress or business casual attire just in case. And a pro tip, a portable vacuum steamer can save you from the wrinkles.
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Active Wear: This is optional, but if you’re going hiking, you’ll need your hiking gear and a workout set.
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Loungewear and Sleepwear: After a day full of adventures, there’s nothing like slipping into your favorite pajamas or a nice silky robe.
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Seasonal Items: If you’re going to the beach in summer, pack your swimsuit and light, flowy dresses. But for winter destinations, pack your heavy coat, gloves, scarves, and don’t forget the thermal socks.
Shoes
If there’s a category where it’s easy to overpack, is shoes. You can do the old trick of wearing your bulkier pair on the plane to save space, but there’s another way of sorting your shoes. So let’s talk about the three-pair rule.
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Comfortable Walking Shoes: Think of the pair you wear more often, the ones that look nice with your everyday clothes, and you use when you have to move and do lots of errands.
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Dressy Shoes: If you’re a woman of high heels, then bring one pair; if you’re more of a cute sandal lady, then those.
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Weather-appropriate Shoes: And then think of where you are going. If it’s the beach or a resort with a pool, add flip-flops, if it’s a ski resort, you’re warmer boots, and for the hikes, your hiking boots.
Toiletries and Personal Care
And here’s one of the main categories that radically change between men and women when packing. Women just have more hygienic needs in general, and spend more time caring for their skin and hair than a typical male. If you want to stay fresh on the go and save some space, you can choose the minimalist and Eco-friendly approach and add a small hanging toiletry bag to maximize the space in small bathrooms.
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Solid shampoo/conditioner bars: They’re great to save space.
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Multi-use products: Items like moisturizer and lip balm with SPF are useful.
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Skin care: Traveling to a different climate can be stressful for your skin. Don’t forget to pack your favorite moisturizer, cleanser, and sunscreen.
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Make-up: If you want to look your best, but if you’re on vacation, you can just relax and leave it only for the nights out.
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Haircare: No one knows your hair better than yourself. Just try to prioritize caring for it based on the conditions of the place you’re traveling to.
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Personal Hygiene: Don’t forget to pack some pads or tampons, ladies, even if your period is not supposed to arrive yet, emergencies happen. Also, add deodorant and your good razor.
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First aid and Wellness: You can’t forget a small first aid kit, with blister care in case your hiking shoes or your heels hurt your feet.
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Electronics and Gadgets
First of all, you’ll need a good internet connection, so you can keep uploading photos to your Instagram and sharing them with friends and family. And for that, Yoho Mobile eSIMs are incredibly helpful. They will save the hassles associated with traditional physical eSIMs and the high roaming costs of using your current SIM abroad. Don’t forget your first eSIM is free!
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What other electronics to pack:
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Smartphone and charger: If you feel the need, add a backup power bank.
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Headphones or earbuds: It’s nice to find some peace during the flights.
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E-reader: Surely you have a novel you’ve been planning to finish, but haven’t found the time yet. A long flight might be the motivation you needed.
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Laptop and Charger: Maybe you’re not on vacation, but a responsible working woman on the go, and you’ll need all your working supplies.
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Packing Apps: You can use one like PackPoint to find more customized lists based on destination and weather. To know the best travel apps you can check out, we have an article on that subject.
Final Tips for Packing for our Ladies
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Compartmentalize: Keep all your essential documents in a folder that’s easy to find in your handbag. Your toiletries should have a designated pouch, like your electronics.
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Pack for comfort: If you’re on vacation, you should start relaxing the moment you sit down in the plane. Bring your neck pillow and eye mask to take a nice nap, and some snacks and water.
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Emergency Items you might need: A mini sewing kit will barely occupy any space, but it can save your favorite outfit in a pinch. And some extra tote bags are excellent for buying souvenirs.
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Use Ziploc bags for liquid items: Don’t trust that your shampoo or hand cream will stay in their bottle. You don’t want it spilled everywhere.
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Roll, don’t fold: It’s a great way to save some space while packing clothes, and it will prevent some wrinkles!
Conclusion
Well, ladies, now you’re ready to pack your suitcase like a pro without leaving anything important behind. No matter if it’s a simple weekend getaway or a big trip to a faraway country! Whether you’re packing for Costa Rica or for Hawaii!, you know what you want and what you need.