Tags
carry on, hand luggage, packing, packing light, packing list, summer, travel, women, women travel
Here is my women’s carry on packing list for a summer trip. This list includes everything that I bring. It is based on my travel capsule wardrobe so I can deal with anything from a heat wave to a cold snap. A closer look will show some sneaky weight saving techniques going on in this list:
- Use of solids in the toiletries
- Use of blister packs for medicine – the drug type is stamped on the back of the blister pack. It is smaller and lighter than any bottle
- Heavy reliance on USB electronics
- Mini-mini sewing kit
- Mini first aid kit
With the exception of clothing, the list below remains fairly constant. I check the contents of my bag after every trip and repack it then, making it ready for the next trip. A pre-packed bag makes getting ready for my next trip incredibly easy.
Clothing
Rain Trench Coat
Fleece jacket (or blazer)
2 short-sleeved tops
Scoop or V-neck 3/4 sleeve T
Tank top (usually drape neck)
Long sleeve shirt with roll-up sleeves
Dress Pants
Convertible pants (roll up leg converts to capris)
2 sweaters
Knit Dress
Tankini (with a modest top that I can wear as a camisole under a sweater)
Undergarments
1 pair nylons
1 pair leggings (capri)
3 wool socks
3 undies
2 bras
1 camisole top
1 silk scoop neck 3/4 sleeve long john top
1 sleeping T (doubles as a dress)
Shoes
Low heel dress shoes or strappy sandals
Low cut hiking/walking shoes
Jewelry & Accessories
1 metal necklace (can be doubled)
1 metal ear rings
metal bangles
1 colored ear rings
1 colored bracelet
2 scarves – one large enough to be a pashmina/sarong
1 narrow belt
1 wider belt
Clutch with shoulder strap (holds the first aid kit & jewelry when not in use)
Travel Wallet
Money Belt
Other Gear
Eyeglass case with spare glasses and sunglasses.
Thin cord eyeglass retainer looped through zipper of eyeglass case
Packable Day pack
Key ring with bottle opener, military can opener, mini-rescue whistle, compass
2 Tyvek envelopes filled with:
- 2 business envelopes
- 2 garbage bags
- 2 gallon ziplock
- 4 quart Ziplocks
- Spare passport pictures
- 2 inflatable hangers
- MSR ultralight large pack towel
- Light plastic skirt hanger
Electronics
Smart Phone with USB cable & ear buds
Dual USB charger
PPU Clip USB battery charger
Headlamp with USB battery
Micro USB cord
Adapter plug
Dual voltage curling iron
Camera with cards
Spare battery for camera
Toilet kit
Razor
Toothbrush
Mini-floss
Solid Toiletries:
- Toothpaste dots
- Solid shampoo bar
- Solid conditioner (can also be used for shaving)
- Small soap bar (I have allergies)
- Deodorant crystal
- 2 pill bags of clay masque
Laundry detergent
Janie clay spot remover (for oil based stains)
Thin shower cap
Barrett
Mini brush
Safety pins
Bobby pins
Hair clip
Sink stopper
Magnifying mirror
Tweezers
Eyeglass repair kit.
Sewing kit (cut-off straw with thread wrapped around it and needles on the inside)
Safety pin with various buttons looped over it
Mini makeup brush set
Eye shadow
MSR mini pack towel (wash cloth)
Cloth exfoliating pad
Braided clothes line
3-1-1 bag
1/2 oz liquid foundation
1 oz moisturizer
1.5 oz hand lotion
Mini-eye drops
Mini-sanitizer
Mini-Tide pen
1 contact lens case with concealer on one side and cream blusher on the other
Mascara
Lipstick
2 oz hair gel
First Aid Kit
Moleskin
Gauze
Safety pins
Nail clipper
Blister packs of
- Antihistamine
- Anti-diarrhea
- Pepto-Bismol
- Cold medicine
- Simply Sleep
Plane survival kit
Inflatable pillow
Slipper footies
Quart ziploc with:
- Eye mask
- Ear plugs
- Pack of tissues
- Pen
- Travel size Tylenol
- Travel size Advil
- Blistex
- Chewable Zicam
- Kwikpoint card
- Mini-wipes
1 quart platypus bottle wrapped with duct tape and with carabiner clip attachment. Fill with water in the secure area.
Lady Light Travel 
Great exhaustive list of everything anyone could ever need. Great post!
Thanks. I listed everything I take. There is always a question about what else is in the bag besides clothing.
I’m new to all this packing light info but I’m eating it up! What brand (link to website) of travel towel do you use? How big? I may need one at the pool if my hotel room isn’t ready when we get there. Thanks so much for all your posts!
It’s just one I bought from a camping shop here in Sydney. I bought an extra large one cos they are better for sitting on as picnic rugs.
I have to agree with Frugal First Class Travel. I use an extra large pack towel (bath towel size). It is perfect for the beach as it stuffs down very small. It weighs 3.6 oz (102 grams) making it lighter than most.
Mine is an MSR Ultralight Pack Towel
http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3654755
It is very stiff when it is new. Send it through several loads of laundry before using it and it will soften up nicely. I just started sending it through with every load of laundry to “condition” it.
If you are interested in other gear items please check out my “recommended travel gear” page
https://ladylighttravel.com/recommended-travel-gear/
May I ask what bras you recommend for travel?
Ones that fit?
Actually, it is good to have bras that dry quickly. If you are participating in a high impact activity you’ll want to bring a sports bra. One of the big problems with sports bras is that they don’t look good under normal clothing, so try them out. TitleNine makes some great ones that also look good under regular clothing.
I love the ExOfficio crossover bras! They are made from the same stretchy, mesh fabric as the quick dry undies and work in any season. Can be found at ExOfficio or Backcountry online.
Connie Qualey
one thing i never travel without: a Sarong! (or two)
I like to use a sarong when I’m doing warm weather travel. I find a pashmina to be a better selection for travel during the cooler months. In the end, it is about finding what works for you.
This website is so great! I am a recovering overpacker, but when I did a trial packing run for our upcoming vacation, I was able to get it all into my suitcase with no problem. The challenge is that we will be gone for 2 weeks, from MI, to NC, to FL, and back again, so I needed to be prepared for a variety of climates. I do have my toiletries in a train case type of thing, but this isn’t really a problem since we are driving. I like to be snle to get at that stuff on the drive. Thanks for the inspiration.
What brand of slipper socks/footies do you like?
I just have a pair that I bought at the department store. They have plastic bottoms.
Thanks. I’ll look around for them.
I forgot to mention how much your site has inspired me. I’ve been using the info from One Bag for a while, but your site has given me many new ideas that I know I’ll put to good use. Thank you!!
Onebag is one of my favorite sites ever, and chock full of wonderful information. But there are some tricky bits for dressing girly.