Packing for travel - YouLookFab Forum

Category

General

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Packing for travel

Travelgal Nicole

Veteran

This is the first in a series of questions on packing for travel abroad. I will be going on a 5 month around the world trip next year focusing mainly on Africa and North America. I'm flying into Cape Town and taking a cruise up the West Coast of Africa to Morroco and then doing a few tours down the East Coast of Africa before arriving in Johannesburg and then flying to NYC.

It’s a big trip starting in April next year and I'm so looking forward to it. I am definitely on team pack instead of team unpack. As I live in NZ there are several things I'll need to order from the States over the next couple of months so I thought why not start now!

I have some specific questions to ask along the way but I thought I would start with an easy one.

What is the one thing you always take with you on an overseas trip? Don't worry, I'll be packing my passport, phone, credit cards and such but do you have any packing tips? Do you bring a separate bag for laundry? Pack everything in zip locks? Always bring an umbrella because then it won't rain Over to you…..

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from froggiebecky

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Photos or postcards from home to show people where you live.
A jump drive with back-ups of important docs
A way to back up photos

A sarong, useful as a bathrobe, plane blanket, beach cover-up, even a laundry roll.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What an amazing trip you have planned!! So exciting.

I always try to bring my sense of humour. But that wasn't what you had in mind, I suspect.

More seriously -- apart from the necessities you mentioned, comfortable footwear, and more than one pair of shoes. That sounds counter-intuitive since footwear takes up so much space, but I always walk an enormous amount on trips, and changing my shoes regularly saves my feet.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

What RA & Suz said, especially the sense of humour, shoes & sarong. I also make photo copies of front & backs of credit cards, passports, visas etc. I leave one with family or friends & take one with me. If something gets lost or stolen it's amazing how much easier it makes everything. Sounds like a wonderful trip.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Wow, what a trip. Exciting!

Weirdly, perhaps, my answer is jeans. I know a lot of people say don't take jeans on trips because they're heavy and hard to wash on the fly, and I've certainly traveled without them. But they're such a part of my everyday style that on trips longer than a few days I just feel odd and not myself when I don't have any jeans to wear. Not to mention they are practical and mix and match with a lot of things.

Cerinda

Veteran

Several bandanas, a mesh laundry bag with a zip (so my delicates can withstand the machine), sun protection (shirt, hat, lotion). Wee jars of Pacific Northwest huckleberry jam to leave as gifts. Ditto the shoes and sarong/oversized shawl.

Travelgal Nicole

Veteran

Yes, I think sense of humour is going to be high on the list as this is Africa after all. Comfy shoes are definitely high up there as well.

I never travel with jeans Laura for all the reasons you listed. I'm more a maxi dresses and capris kind of traveller.

I will only have one carry on size suitcase as well.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

When I was in the Military I traveled extensively one thing that served me WELL were baby wipes in zip lock baggies.

Sophia Leakes

I'm a walking talking house on wheels! One of those people that is better safe than sorry?
From mints to hair products - clothes to that extra pair of heels I just might need, I pack it all.
But if there's anything I'm genuinely keen about its my cosmetics and beauty products. Making sure every one on the list is checked!
So personally yeah! Also I agree with Laura - I don't think my trip is well planned if a pair of jeans aren't at the top of my suitcase

DizzyLizzy

I always use packing cubes and always take my goretex waterproof jacket - both from Kathmandu in NZ. The jacket is lightweight and dressy enough to wear in any big city (it's been worn in both London and Paris, and equally as great just walking the dog). Unfortunately it's at least 2 years old and I don't see the style on the Kathmandu website any more.

I always have travel sized tissue packs in my handbag.

And my packing always starts with comfortable shoes - we always do lots of walking when travelling. If they're not already well worn in, then they don't get packed.

crutcher

Veteran

I always am fortified with shoe..which are necessary and important for my trip to be successful...Then a current weather report...obtained as close as I can for my destination..In your case, that would be only your first location...I also...take a prepared for any situation, raincoat, warmer sweater, sleeveless tee so that I am covered for any kind of weather..
Your trip is enviable and I look forward to hearing more about it...

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

More thoughts

Carryon only means no pocket knife with cork puller
I've started carrying a plastic spork so I can buy takeaway stuff from grocery stores like yogurt and ice cream.

Blank DVDs for copying photos in internet cafes.
A light extension cord with multiple outlets. That way when someone is hogging the outlet at the airport/cafe/wherever you need to charge, you can offer to share. The ones in the states sometimes come with 3 outlets, so there's room for even one more person. In motels the outlet is never where I want it anyway. And that way you can put your converter plugs on the cord and not need one for every device.

One outfit appropriate to a celebration. Five months is a long time to be on the road and if you are adventurous, you will meet people and get invited to stuff . I was doing one of my favorite photography games, photographing random brides, in Halifax and got invited to what would have been an amazing reception (12 bridesmaids, 5 Cadillac Escalade limos pounding hip hop that stopped traffic!) We had to go to a banquet DH's work so I couldn't go, but I would have in a heartbeat.

In some countries you are going to, modesty is a cultural factor to deal with, so think about a way to keep covered up in your smart outfit.

Some small bit of All Black type swag: a tee, scarf or ball cap. It's recognized around the world, and there might be a reason you want to sport the silver fern, say at a sports bar in France during a rugby match! Even if you aren't a sports fan, something patriotic and fun.

PS we were in Queenstown in 2003 the night England beat Australia in World Cup rugby. It was chaos in the streets until 3 in the morning. Who knew the Brits traveled with drums?

MuseumGal

Veteran

What a fantabulous trip! I always bring several plastic bags - the kind from grocery stores is fine - they come in handy for dirty laundry, wet bathing suits, muddy shoes, a white blouse that you don't want to rub against other things grubby, etc. Also a very small spray bottle, which I use to mist my hair in the mornings I don't wash it, and to mist wrinkled clothing - once you hang them and mist them, 90% of the wrinkle fall out overnight. Also on very hot days I carry it with me as a little built in air conditioner.

Gaylene

Veteran

Packing cubes and ziplock bags to make it easy to locate items without unpacking everything.

A folding tote ( mine is a LePilage) to serve as a shopper or to corral everything so I exit public transportation knowing I have all my possessions if my tote and carryon are in my hands.

A discreet money belt worn underneath my clothing to hold my passport, major credit card, and spare cash. I use a regular cross-body purse and wallet daily but never have anything in them that I couldn't hand over to a mugger. Recently, I've added a low-limit credit card to that wallet so it looks more authentic.

A small roll of duct tape and rope to use for quick repairs.

Dry facial cloths (mine are by Olay) that soap up when water is applied. I cut them in half or quarters to use on my face and throw in a couple full-sized ones to use in a shower. I try to severely limit liquid products because they are heavier and prone to leaking or spilling.

ETA: Oh, and regarding laundry, I try to wash undies, socks, and tops every night in the sink instead of using a laundry bag because I prefer the contents of my carryon to be wearable as opposed to hauling around dirty clothes. That means I can get by with two sets of undies and three pairs of socks, plus 2-3 tops. I pack a pair of yoga or nylon pants to wear if I need to do a load of laundry. Sometimes a washing machine is available at the place I'm staying or I'll find a laundromat with an attendant who will watch the machine, put my clothes into the dryer, and fold everything for a small fee so I can wander around or have lunch in a cafe. It helps if I plan my outfits so my pants, socks, and tops can be washed in a single load. I strive for an elegant, but practical, uniform when I travel.

rachylou

Veteran

I always carried a tube of Prescriptives Flight cream. I don't travel for work anymore, so I don't even know if Prescriptives is still in business! But it was a nice lightweight, refreshing lotion. You could use it as a restorative facial mask too.

Other cabin kit things: Colgate Wisps, band-aids, matchbook emeryboards, a couple of chlorpheniramine maleate tablets, a couple of benadryl tablets, and a couple of pain-killer tablets, safety pins.

For airplane commuting, I also brought along a fleece sleeping bag, a folding foot rest, and an inflatable U pillow with flat back (very important, the flat back part; just hate having my head pushed forward by a stupid pillow). I wouldn't lug all that around for tourist travel, however.

I have totally given up bringing shampoo, toothpaste, etc. I just buy when I arrive.

I'm thinking a turkish towel could be useful...

Jenny H

Veteran

I always double check to make sure I have packed my pajamas. Years ago, I forgot to pack them on more than one occasion. Of course this isn't as big of a deal if you are staying at a hotel and have privacy-- my pajamas were forgotten on trips to visit family where I didn't have as much privacy.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh... orange peelers make a nice snack tool.

Travelgal Nicole

Veteran

I'm thinking I will be packing most of my stuff in packing cubes as its a great way to prevent spills and leaks from other products.

I wish I could buy my products there but I have natually curly hair and I need my products.

I will be doing laundry along the way and luckily the boat has facilities to do so and even has wifi.

Baby wipes are a must for me so that I can clean my hands at any time as I find the anti bacterial stuff too harsh. I also buy the face wipes to wash my face with as well.

Does anyone travel with an umbrella?

Isabel

Veteran

Oh, how exciting !!!!

I always bring:

a sarong or very large scarf : for wearing when I am cold and for the beach or to wear as a skirt in a pinch.

a merino wool long sleeve T

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosej.....223630_102

Glide or bandages and vaseline for my feet. One great way to handle this is to keep a few cotton balls with vaseline on them in a plastic bag when you are out and about to help with blisters.

Sunblock ( if I am going to be somewhere that I cannot get it ).

A roll up tote bag or backpack. We own three of the first one in two sizes, large and small. I especially like them because they are water-resistant.

http://www.amazon.com/FreeKnig.....=sr_1_5?ie

http://www.amazon.com/Outlande.....d_sim_sg_1?

A back up battery for my cell phone that is always charged

Laurinda

Veteran

Consider having copies of your important documents on a secure on-line account on a web site such as Dropbox.

This is my travel packing mantra: Think versatile, practical and acceptable.
Source: Worth the carry-on Six weeks, nine countries, one bag

rabbit

Veteran

For me the essentials are my little tube of liquid concealer and a small face powder that works in all kinds of weather. Any other cosmetics or soaps or shampoos/products can be got where I'm going or improvised, but these even go on backpacking trips with me.

For the plane and/or car or boat travel:

-No Jetlag homeopathic pills (I think they are made in NZ?) really work - follow the directions

-melatonin for resetting sleep schedules with time changes

-Airborne or other immune system booster before and during plane or train rides so I don't get a cold as soon as I get off.

-pressure point wrist bands for sea or car or air sickness

-rescue remedy gum or spray for dealing with stress/anxiety.

-earplugs, many of them.

I don't take an umbrella, because you can buy them everywhere, and they tend to get bent out of shape quickly so need replacing fairly often.

I do take comfortable shoes: walking sandals or sneakers or hiking boots depending where we are going.

A little daypack with a water bladder and tube. I drink much more on walks even in cities when I just have to turn my head to reach the mouthpiece at my shoulder, and dehydration can really sap strength and cause headaches when travelling in hot places, dry climates, or high elevations.

Isabel

Veteran

Yes, I always take a small umbrella.

http://www.travelsmith.com/Pro.....20umbrella

and I forgot to tell you about my collapsible drinking bottle. That way I can fill up anywhere. This is great for the airport once you get by security or even when you are out and about touring.

http://www.amazon.com/Vapur-El.....ods&i

a small wet bag that can double as a garbage bag or a snack bag

http://www.reuseit.com/zipper-.....aled-reusa

Joyce B

Veteran

Watch out for the mosquitoes in Africa and check what preventatives you will need to avail yourself of.
Your trip sounds amazing!

DizzyLizzy

I used to take an umbrella, but since I never use an umbrella when I'm home it never got used when I travel - I like to keep my handbag as light as possible so I never carried the umbrella with me, it was always back at the hotel room. I think it's a matter of personal choice.

And I always use a crossbody bag when travelling too - lugging a shoulder bag all day long soon takes it's toll.

Karina

What a fun trip! I'm enjoying reading the other comments. Definitely baby wipes always make it into my bag. Also, I've found a moderate length of clothing line to be super helpful, and it barely takes up any space. Some form of non-electronic entertainment such as a few paperbacks or cross-word puzzles are good to have and can always be left behind to make room for new purchases.

Freckles

Veteran

Allergy pills (you never know), money belt, moleskin, cotton placemat (everything goes on this in hotel rom so I don't forget anything...I'm looking at you adapter plugs and earrings), zip lock baggies and duct tape. I've never not used the duct tape! Latest trip was allergic to the soap borrowed money belt was washed in and also the laundry soap we brought with us. I wrapped the cord that went around neck in duct tape. Saved my life in comfort even though I had the allergy pills. Also Avene spray. You can use it to mist face (airplane necessity even though I use it every day as part of cleansing), clean a wound, spray right down throat when sore, cool sunburn, help with allergies, etc. I would only spray Avene down my throat not some of the other brands of thermal spring water spray.
Looking forward to your planning and packing for this amazing trip.

Carmella Munguia

(website)

Good luck on your trip! Suncreen, wet tissues, and lip balm!

froggiebecky

Veteran

Wow, 5 months with a carry-on size bag…you've got me beat!

Given those size restrictions, I'd probably skip the laundry bag. Or I would find a mesh market bag and let it do double-duty (for any sort of day excursions off the cruise boat).

I would echo the shoe recommendations, and suggest taking shoes with different heel heights-something flat and something with a bit of a heel. All walkable, of course, but the variety will feel good.

I would make sure to take both a lightweight jacket/cardigan and a wrap of some sort. In that part of the world, you might need to cover your shoulders and possibly your head as well in order to blend in with cultural norms or enter some buildings (i.e. a mosque in morocco). Plus it might get a little cool at night--some of these areas are near deserts.