I’ve been asked too many times to share how I pack to travel to not document things as I packed for this trip. And, between you and I, I’m glad there are others out there who get odd satisfaction from discussing this kind of stuff.
(Of course, by the time you read this, I’ll have departed overseas. The magic of WordPress scheduling!)
As a rule, I travel carry-on. I can survive with one small case for up to two weeks. But this time I’ll be away a few months, and I’ll be in different climates, so I have to get a bit indulgent. That said, my aim is to keep things under 15kg. Why? I can only say I’m ludicrously obsessed with streamlining my life and travelling light. My mates have responded to all this by saying, “Oh, it’s better to buy it over there”. Hmph, I respond. I probably won’t even do much of that. I just find stuff so heavy….
Some basic principles
These are some of the tricks entailed in my light travelling, especially when travelling carry-on:
* wear all your heavy, bulky gear on the plane (boots, jacket, jeans)
* pack thin layers (wool and silk is best)
* pack a cardigan that can double as a scarf
* streamline your beauty case. I use Jojoba oil for cleansing, face cream and body cream, for instance. I also drop into department stores and ask for “testers” of my favourite face scrub.
* for medications, count out exactly what you’ll need and pop in a zip-lock. I wrap my “refrigerate only” ones (eg Thyroxin) in aluminum foil.
* I also carry my green powders when I travel (see my tips for travelling healthily) and scoop out the exact amount I’ll need into a zip-lock.
* get yourself a pair of walking/running/gym shoes that are presentable enough as a day shoe as well. And then stuff your undies/tees etc in them when packing.
* for fancy/special occasions – have a dress or two made of silk that can easily smooth out when you hang it out in a hot steamy shower.
For this trip
Jo shot this as I was getting ready to go. Excuse the franticness. But Jo’s panning work is sublime.
A few things to note:
* The shoes are F-lites. I bought them from barefootinc. And consider this a genuine endorsement.
* The bikini is from miskini.
* The hat was a gift from Paul at Artpark.
* I take Maharishi Vatta teabags on the plane.
* The bag came to 14.8kg!!
See you soon xx
Oh! I love talking travel packing! The best tips I was ever given which I use religiously are:.
1. Take old falling apart underwear with you that you were going to/should have thrown out already. Wear it and then throw it out like disposables. Then have a weeks worth for the rest of your trip. This means you can pretty much avoid doing laundry until your old underwear runs out and you get to enjoy your trip without routine chores!
2. I probably shouldn’t be sharing this one…. but put electrical tape around any valuable electronics. People will presume you’ve dropped it or it’s broken and it becomes much less attractive to thieves.
Happy trails.
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June 17th, 2012 at 7:46 am
they are GOLD tips. I do the undies thing…but with all my clothes
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You’re adorable. & I love your skeleton pants!
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June 17th, 2012 at 7:47 am
Dem Bones Dem Bones….!
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I’ve never managed to pack less than 17kg for any trip over 10 days. I unpack, remove things and repack and unpack and repack without any improvement.
I’ve given in to it and increase my strength training a few weeks before departure!
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Thanks for sharing your pack contents Sarah! I am learning to pack more lightly each time I travel and I love peeking into other people’s bags! I’m currently working on my packing list for Bali at the end of the month so this is soooo timely. Happy travels x
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I love talking about travel packing and hearing how other people do it. When I last went overseas for 3 weeks, I filled my suitcase with tissues, old towels, etc. All things I used over the course of the trip then could throw out to make room for shopping. My main problem is packing clothes I don’t wear, thinking that *even though I haven’t worn it in a year, I might wear it over there…* I’m going overseas in November and I am NOT making that mistake again!
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Love it, Sarah!!
I am the master of packing light. I credit having non-nuclear family growing up and alternating weeks and weekends between my grandparents, mum’s & dad’s houses. The only reason I even checked in baggage last time I travelled, instead of going carry on only, is that I was doing 3 different continents (five countries) and heading straight from the snow to sunny California. Too many weather zones!
I cannot swear enough by Converse Chuck Taylor Allstars. Canvas upper so they are comfy, and you can wear thick socks to keep you warm if you need. Comfortable when walking all day, rubber sole to keep you moderately dry-footed, and they last FOREVER. I used to travel in Vibram Fivefingers, which are great for walking in all day, but if you hit a puddle you are stuck with wet feet. And they offer your feet no protection should you get, say, trampled in a festival crowd.
Have amazing fun times Sarah, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we can’t wait to hear of your updates!!
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Sarah, you are so awesome we love you! i need to take a leaf out of your book as i’ve never been able to pack that light! after living in London for 3 months i rocked up to the airport with 2 suitcases both weighing about 24 kilos…the lady at the check in was like how do you think you’re allowed to check in 48 kilos worth of luggage? so then i had to run to the emergency shipping area to ship half of my stuff home in boxes. That all arrived 4 months later! ha! well i learnt my lesson that day… quick question – what shoes are you going to wear with those dresses and silk tops? do you bring a pair of heels?
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June 14th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Hey Lucy, Sarah’s got one pair of good shoes, those runners you see in the video, and a pair of thongs. That’s it!
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Not that hat! You’re going to stand out like a sore toe rather than blend in with the locals.
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Oh Sarah you totally crack me up. I love it. I have been agonising over what to take to the US on Monday and after watching you Im feeling like some serious culling. I always have the best light packing intentions but always end up coming home with a suitcase of things I just haven’t worn!
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I’m the worst when it comes to packing! I always take way too much stuff (oh yes of course I’ll wear this top that I haven’t worn in 10 years) and always end up regretting it!
When we made the move from Australia here to the US last year husband and I each had 2 suitcases full with us… mind you we gave a lot of stuff away to charity before we left otherwise we would have had way more…but we both could have done with just one each. I brought clothes with me I haven’t worn in years back home, don’t know why I thought I’d start wearing them here.
A few weeks ago we took a 2 day road trip to Chicago I took a whole suitcase! Omg I’m crazy I know….I wore particularly the same thing everyday so again why I bothered not sure. I think I feel like what if I wanted to wear this or that and I didn’t have it. But this post seriously has me thinking and next time I travel I’m going to attempt to streamline.
I suppose travelling during summer months is easier in terms of travelling light (not so much bulk with jackets etc).
One question for Sarah… your cosmetics is that just what you take on holidays or are those your cosmetics in general (not including the skin care stuff).
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June 14th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Hey Naz,
Your question on Sarah’s cosmetics – that’s essentially what she has all the time. She doesn’t use much make up, so other than when a make up artist gets hold of her for tv or a photo shoot, those items listed in the video are pretty much all she uses. Jo
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June 15th, 2012 at 4:57 am
No wonder she has such great skin! My husband was watching the video with me and said “see I told you you don’t need all that makeup”. lol
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Can I ask where the infamous green shorts are actually from?
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June 14th, 2012 at 3:57 pm
American Apparel!
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Saw your good self on Miranda Kerr’s KORA Organics blog – nice work, Sarah! xx
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Being a bushwalking type, I often pack along the principles of 2 sets of clothes “the wets” and “the drys”. i.e. what you wear in the day is one outfit (of layers) and then in the evening you get changed into your other outfit. Extras on that basis have to earn their weight. For holiday travel, sure, the clothes differ but the principle sticks. My blue silk sleeping bag liner has been a wrap and a scarf before! Agree those light modern wools are invincible. SPF lip salve is my fave multi duty item. Silk scarves also necessities. Lisa
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Hi, love this post! Thanks.
What was the oil next to the Jojoba? Didn’t quite catch the name of it. Also what do you use to remove heavy makeup? I find the invisible zinc foundation sticks like glue and needs heavy-duty cleanser. I’d love to find something chemical free to remove it. And what do you use the Vitamin E oil for? Thanks Sarah/Jo, love this blog.
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June 15th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Hey Kristy… I had the same problem with the Invisible Zinc… I love it and I was avoiding wearing it because for a couple of days after I washed it off it felt like my moisturiser wasn’t getting through to my skin… I googled – thinking that the IZ people would have a couple of tips (they don’t)…
I now use oil to get it off… I wash my face with a natural oil of some sort… usually maca – and some sort of toner is good too.
Once I got the removal sorted I was happy to travel with it last year… so great on a summer holiday make-up & spf sorted in one tiny tube.
Good luck.
TBG
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June 16th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Thanks Tamara, I bought some today to give it another try!
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June 17th, 2012 at 7:51 am
Hey Kristy and Tamara, Johoba oil is the BEST makeup remover…
Hi Sarah,
This is really cool! I travel really often and should learn to do this more.
One thing I do make sure I do is take a few items I can throw out/donate on my way back so that if I find something I like at my location I can swap out the old for the new.
Out of curiosity, is that your place back in the city?
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Loved your video, thank you for sharing your tips on how to travel light.
When I travel, I also need to carry medication that requires refrigeration. I recently came across the Frio bags which are fantastic – originally designed for insulin, they just require water and will keep medication cool for up to 2 days
Happy travelling!
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June 15th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Anybody have any idea with what the consensus is with taking Thyroxine/ Oroxine overseas? First they said it’s ok out of the fridge for up to a month, and then they got stricter on it. Anybody shed some light on this?
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June 16th, 2012 at 10:53 am
I have taken thyroxine to Europe without any problems but then I was travelling in winter so it was cold.
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June 17th, 2012 at 7:52 am
I”m still told to keep it refridgerated….but I travel with it in my non carry-on luggage cos it’s cold in the storage hull.
I’m the crappy packer from hell so I hope this influences my next packing frenzy where the only thing I don’t take is the bloody fridge!
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Us department store girls do know when people are just wanting travelling samples
I put my favourite products into mini containers for travel and carry as much stuff as I can on the plane. Taking old clothes is a super good tip too.
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Happy travels – I’m a huge fan of Trilogy too. Their products are beyond divine – enjoy that rose hip oil!
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Sarahhhhhhh Love your post BUT you need to get onto the Weleda toothpaste train – tey the plant flavour or the salt one if your game. Cheap cheap in the UK and cheaper in Germany. also try some Haushka oils from Germany if you get there.
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Surprisingly riveting!!!
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I have to ask you Sarah / Jo, have you considered laser eye surgery? I know the glasses are oh-so-hip and you probably love them etc etc but I know lots of people who had laser eye surgery and it is just life changing. Both my Mum and boyfriend have had it and it makes such a difference for both of them and I’m sure it would for you too, being the outdoorsy-sporty type my boyfriend is. He can see while swimming, playing soccer, running-without wearing contacts and my Mum just loves being able to read anything and everything without reaching for her glasses first. I don’t know if you’re a candiate or not but have a stop in at one of the laser eye institutes for a consultation (NOT your optometrist! They are NOT the people to ask). It’s good to at least learn what the process is about and you can always post the information out to the masses, as to whether it’s for you or not
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Winderful post, thank you! Very interested to see how/if you pack food for the flight being gluten, sugar free. Can you fit any food in that cooler bag? what’s the name of the cooler bag? lastly, I think someone else asked, how do you use all those ois? Thanks again,
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I was just wondering whether you could tell me what brand those bras are. Also, what do you do with the vitamin e oil. Ta.
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Hi Sarah, this is such a fabulous topic! I’m wondering about a few essential items though, how do you do without things such as nail clippers, dental floss, hair brush, hair clips, shampoo & condition, pins? And stuff like mobile phone charger, laptop and warm clothes for England (socks, trackies, warm hat, thick jacket). And a book/lonely planet guide for the long flight? Would love to hear more. xx
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Hi Sarah, that is a great blog post coz i always struggle with packing and unpacking. I was trying to search for castle oil and jojoba oil, can you please tell me what brands of the oil you’re using? Have a safe and inspiring trip and thanks a lot for sharing!! xxxxx
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Hi, I’ve been trying to find out who to email for my money back on the ebooks. There is no email but there says there is a 30 day guarantee. Very dissatisfied with them. Not what I was expecting at all. Please help!
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June 18th, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Hey Ashley, email info@sarahwilson.com.au and we’ll sort out a refund.
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We have just returned fom 10 days in Bali. I can’t believe how much stuff we took, I didn;t even wear half of it!!!!! So to Sharon who is going there at the end of the month, here is my advice. I wore on the plane a light pair of pants, tee and cardi (as we were coming from Melbourne, then wore the same thing home. Did not need a t shirt the whole time, only singlets. Only needed one pretty dress and one pretty skirt incase we went out somewhere special. Shld have takn more light dresses to wear over bathers during the day. I took runners, but then ended up buying a pair over there as well. My 8 yr old comented that I wore the same shorts nearly every day, but I love them and they are so comfy. So hopefully I have learnt my lesson from last year.
Good luck!!!!
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June 19th, 2012 at 8:45 am
Hi lise, they’re excellent tips – thanks SO much! I’ll keep your advice in mind while I’m packing as I’m determined to go with a light backpack and do some shopping in Seminyak. So funny, I always pack loads and end up wearing the one thing all the time too! I think that the saying “you wear 20% of your wardrobe 80% of the time” applies on holiday too
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My favourite tip…
Pack. Then take out half of what you packed because you won’t use/wear it.
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Sharon, we went to Seminyak, then to Bingin, a great surf spot. Seminyak was great and I did lots of shopping. I wore my fake $30 Nikes today and love them!! A lovely shop is Mist and a fab restaurant is Trattoria. For the first time since I was about 7 yrs old, I wore a bikini. Last time I was the only woman in a one piece si I braved my white tummy to the world in 35 years!!! I figure any body shape goes there, and mine was not too bad!!!
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Sarah – LOVE your ring in this video. Where does it come from? I’m heading up to Byron in a few months – will keep an eye out……
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July 22nd, 2012 at 3:20 pm
Did u ever find out where it’s from?? Love it!
)
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Hi Sarah, I was just wondering what brand and info the black shoes were that you talked about in your video? Also I couldn’t make out all the brands of the skin care products? Happy travels
) Cheers
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Just read your “A few things to note”!!! Figured out the shoes!!! Ta
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[...] actually got a few tips from the Sarah Wilson blog about this packing biz, she has as a utube video on how to pack!, very handy, this is where i [...]
just wondering where to buy a pair of miskini bathers from? i have been searching for good bikinis forever
i checked out their website and it just said “store coming soon”…any hints would be awesome thanks!
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Great, great tips on packing. I’ve been feeling a bit flustered trying to figure out packing since I’ve not flown much before. So this helps a lot!
Is there a list somewhere of what the cosmetics and the oils and other things are? Very impressed at the minimalism in those, too!
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[...] Read here about what else I packed to travel. [...]
Just revisited this post as I’m in my first experience of travelling light for a week in Bali. I surprised myself and managed quite easily with 7kg carry on, the only tricky items being tweezers and razors which I bought over here cheaply but will have to leave behind, which is wasteful. I bought a travel pack of body products from Sukin, wore my ‘good shoes’ for the flight and just packed thongs and lots of light silk dresses and tops. Having a super lightweight bag helps, we both have Antler cases which weigh around 2kg.
Usually I would bring my big suitcase and stuff it full, but we were deterred by the costs for checked in bags and my partner hates queuing for the bags!
I’ve actually loved it and felt very liberated with just my small bag of stuff. Converted!
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Hi Sarah, I’m planning my first trip to Europe for four weeks in September, I’m looking for a great pair of walking shoes for long days of sight seeing. Would you recommend the shoes you took (the innov-8 f lites) to someone who hasn’t done any bare foot running etc
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