How To Pack A Minimalist Travel Wardrobe For A Lighter Trip

Packing a travel capsule wardrobe based on no more than your essentials gives you a much lighter footprint on the planet. A minimalist travel wardrobe streamlines your packing list, making it hassle-free, lightweight, sustainable, and practical. And it works for any trip you’re planning, whether you’re going away for a weekend or a whole year.

We once traveled he world for six months interviewing inspiring leaders for The Sustainable Jungle Podcast and we employed these methods to pack only the essentials, so we a testment to the fact that it’s not only possible, but positive for your trip in just about every way.

Ready to get going? Here’s how to pack more for less in five easy steps.

A travel capsule wardrobe is a compact collection of clothes which can be mixed and matched in different ways to create enough outfits for your trip. This covers all your tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories.

You pack only the essentials you need to be as minimalist as possible. This means no ‘just in case’ outfits or sneaking in those shoes that only go with one specific outfit. But why should you pack less when you travel? Aside from being more manageable, less hassle and less weight to carry, packing light has a lighter load on the environment.

Fewer bags lead to less weight on planes, trains and other transport, thus improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. By being more intentional with the items you bring and opting for multipurpose zero waste travel products over single-use, you also reduce the amount of waste you leave behind in the places you visit.

If you still need more convincing, minimalist packing saves you money as you don’t have to pay high fees for checked baggage. You limit the risk of losing your bag in transit and have fewer items to worry about, so you can focus more on the experience. It’s the smartest, most liberating way to pack.

What’s The Weather Like?

A minimalist winter travel capsule wardrobe is obviously going to look very different from a summer-oriented one, so before you can start considering what to bring, you need to consider what sort of climate you’ll be traveling in. Will you be somewhere hot and humid or cold and snowy? Is it summer or winter? Will you be experiencing multiple climates in a single trip?

Instead of trying to cram your summer and winter wardrobes into a suitcase, layers will be your best friend. Take a small mix of T-shirts, long-sleeved tops and lightweight fleeces you can whip on and off depending on whether you’re hot or cold.

Loose long-sleeved shirts might be more suitable than T-shirts for hotter climates where the sun is stronger. Temperatures can drop no matter where you are – even in the middle of the most sun-baked deserts, so bring warm cover-ups.

If you plan to be out in the elements, a jacket that’s both water and windproof will keep you dry and insulated. That goes for both summer and winter. Don’t forget to protect your head, hands and feet with a hat, thick socks, and gloves. They’re bulky but essential for staying warm in cold weather.

What Are The Culture & Customs?

Be culturally sensitive with your wardrobe. In places like the Middle East, it’s best to respect the local customs by dressing modestly. In this case, crop tops and shorts wouldn’t be suitable.

Instead, bring more loose-fitting clothes that cover more of the body. If the weather will be hot, a long, lightweight skirt or dress will help keep you as cool as shorts without revealing as much skin. You might want to also bring a pashmina to cover your head and shoulders when visiting religious sites. That goes for many places in Europe, Asia, and all over the world.

It’s not just cultural customs to be mindful of. Some accommodations have dress codes and you may need to bring smart-casual clothing and closed-toed shoes.

What Activities Will You Be Doing?

Pack for the activities you want to do. Will you be sightseeing in the city or getting outdoors in nature? Do you want to go hiking or swimming? Will you be staying in hotels or camping? Do you plan to be active or will you be making a daily visit to the beach all holiday?

Bring practical, comfortable clothing suitable for different activities so you don’t have to buy anything extra abroad. Some specialist equipment like ski, surf or mountain gear can be rented while you’re there which will save you from lugging it about.

How Long Are You Travelling For?

A minimalist packing list can work for overnight breaks and long-term travel. You just need to know roughly how many outfits you can get away with rotating before it’s time for laundry day. That way, you won’t be caught short.

The general rule of a minimalist travel wardrobe is not to pack more than enough clothes for a week even if you’re traveling for much longer. You can always find somewhere to do laundry and handwash underwear in the sink in a pinch. If you’re not sure what a week’s worth of clothes looks like, consider the 5-4-3-2-1 packing method, which looks like this:

• Five pairs of underwear (including socks and bras)
• Four tops
• Three bottoms
• Two pairs of shoes
• One jacket

The formula is basic but it can be adapted to suit your needs. It’s a sustainable travel tip designed to help you think more about what you need to pack rather than what’s nice to have.

Start With The Right Suitcase

Once you have an idea of what sort of clothes will be required, the fun really start. The first step is choosing the right luggage for your trip as it will determine how much you can bring. You want an efficient suitcase that maximizes space and organization without being too bulky.

We recommend the Solgaard Carry-On Closet. We personally own this and love that it features a nifty removable pop-out closet to keep your clothing tidy and well-organized. It comes in two sizes and the medium version is suitable as a carry-on for most major airlines. If you do end up needing to check it, it’s hard shell exterior keeps everything safe and the integrated luggage lock ensures no one can steal things from your bag.

Next, you’ll also need a backpack which can double up as a daypack with the right dimensions to count as a personal item for airlines.

We’ve been using the Troubador Apex 3.0 backpack and truly love it. It has a luggage sleeve which slips over your suitcase handle and multiple internal pockets to keep us organized. There’s a sleeve to fit a 17” laptop for work and it can double up as a carry-on overnight bag for when you only want to take one piece of luggage, yet it’s slim design easily stores in small spaces, like under the seatback on airlines.

Build A Capsule Travel Wardrobe

The key to minimalist packing is versatility. You want to prioritize clothing that can be worn in multiple ways and different outfits. This is capsule packing. Think about simple patterns and colors that go together. Ideally, all your bottoms and tops should match so you don’t run out of outfits even when running low on clean laundry.

Capsule travel wardrobes make planning what to wear easier. You can dress them up or down depending on the occasion and you’re not reliant on one specific item to complete the look.

Don’t Forget Waterproofs

There’s nothing worse than a suitcase full of damp clothes with nowhere to dry them.

If you’re visiting a nororiusly rainy claim, this should probably be a full-on sustainable rain jacket, but even if you’re visiting somewhere hot and sunny, always pack emergency waterproofs. It can be as simple as a packable rain poncho. You never know when you might get rained on and keeping your clothes dry will save them from getting ruined, dirty, and damp.

Choose The Right Shoes

Just like your clothing, you want to pack versatile shoes that can see you through most of your itinerary. Lightweight, quick-drying sustainable sneakers are ideal for most trips. Pack sturdy waterproof boots for colder climates while waterproof sandals are great for summer or warmer destinations. They could also double up as water shoes.

We love bringing flip-flops or sliders when lounging around our accommodation. They are a must for keeping your bare feet off the floor of communal bathrooms and showers. Thank us later…

Traveling to warmer climates is often easier because the clothing is less bulky and takes up less space. However, if you’ll be sweaty, keep in mind that you won’t get as many consecutive wears between washes of things that sit right on the skin, like t-shirts and underwear, so pack enough to get you between washes, while still keeping things in moderation.

• Several sustainable t-shirts
• Lightweight fleece or hoodie
• Lightweight jacket
• Packable raincoat or poncho
• Long-sleeved loose-fitting shirts
• Bra, sports bra, and/or bra tops (we particularly like bra tops because they serve multiple functions and help minimize needed underlayers)
• Shorts
• Loose-fitting lightweight pants
• Optional skirt or dress
• Ssustainable swimwear
• Sleepwear (usually just a t-shirt and shorts will do)
• Socks
• Sustainable underwear
• Waterproof flip-flops or sandals
• Sneakers (try to pick those that look nice casually but can still hold up to a moderate hike)
• Lightweight scarf or pashmina
• Sustainable sunglasses
• Sun hat (packable baseball caps are perfect for this)

Notice that this list also includes some basic underlayers you’ll need regardless of what the weather will be like.

In addition to your basics like underwear, pajamas, socks, bras and t-shirts, some winter specific essentials you may need include:

• Warm waterproof sustainable coat
• Lightweight layerable fleeces
• Long-sleeved tops
• Jeans (just one pair is plenty)
• Non-denim pants
• Sustainable leggings that can be layered under other pants or just worn solo for comfort when traveling
• Thick socks
• Waterproof boots
• Sneakers
• Beanie
• Gloves
• Scarf

Choose a select few eco-friendly travel essentials which are practical, space-saving and help you reduce waste on the road. These include:

• Eco-friendly cutlery set
• Worldwide travel adapter for electronics
• Charging cables
• Collapsible silicone coffee cup (We use the Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Cup from Sea-To-Summit, which means no disposable cups on airplanes and the like.)
• Laundry detergent sheets & stain remover
• Portable charging bank
• Washable cloths
• Solid toiletries like zero waste shampoo bars and zero waste sunscreen sticks
• Bamboo toothbrush
• Rechargeable headlamp
• Multiuse skincare products (Rather than pack a zillion different skin products, pack one that does multiple things, like Activist’s Sea To Skin Cleansing Gel which serves us as a makeup remover, face wash, and moisturizer all in one).
• Basic first aid kit

Consider Clothing Fit & Materials

We always recommend using what you have first as it’s the most cost-effective and sustainable option. That said, it’s worth thinking about the materials of the clothing you plan to take.

Fabrics like hemp and wool are breathable, moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and naturally antimicrobial so they can last longer without washing. Polyester isn’t breathable and tends to trap sweat and odors so laundry day on the road will come around much quicker. Linen is lightweight, quick-drying and breathable but it creases easily. Organic cotton or modal fabric are more practical for a wrinkle-free wardrobe.

Tight-fitting clothes are uncomfortable in hot weather. They trap sweat and prevent air circulation. In cold weather, they can constrict your circulation, making you colder. Aim for loose-fitting, lightweight, breathable clothes you can layer up and down. You will be a lot more comfortable and won’t be doing endless laundry.

Bring Laundry Detergent

Speaking of… Pack some laundry detergent so you can wash clothes on the go. We love taking laundry detergent sheets as they’re light and liquid-free to comply with TSA liquid regulations. You can even tear them into smaller pieces that are suitable for handwashing select pieces in the sink so you won’t run out of underwear even in the remote bush.

A stain remover stick like Meliora is handy to have in case you need to shift tough stains. Make sure you treat stains before they have a chance to dry.

Bring A Bag To Separate Dirty Laundry

A laundry bag is useful for keeping track of wash days and separating dirty clothes from clean. It can be as simple as a tote or packable shopping bag.

Pack Solid Toiletries

Solid eco-friendly toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste tablets and soap last longer than liquid versions as their formulas are concentrated rather than watered-down. They’re lightweight, TSA-friendly and don’t take up much room in your suitcase. We recommend packing them in soap tins that you should leave open to dry after use to prevent them from turning to mush.

Use Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are handy for keeping your travel wardrobe well-ordered so you don’t have to turn out your whole suitcase looking for that one t-shirt. You can get compression packing cubes to maximize space and double-sided versions which allow you to sort clean from dirty laundry. Always check the dimensions of your packing cubes against the size of your bag to make sure they fit.

Use Other Space-Saving Travel Essentials

Maximizing space is essential for traveling light, particularly if you’re only taking a small backpack. Taking a few space-saving eco-friendly travel products can make all the difference. These can include:

• Travel towel (brands like Nomadix offer sustainable versions made of recycled plastic bottles)
• Packable day backpack
• Packable shopping bag
• Silicone collapsible water bottle
• Anti-theft travel wallet