Pack light, travel right: Travel essential checklist for women

 Are you someone who worries and tosses your clothes into a backpack just before your tour, wondering whether you've packed everything you need? Just so you don't have to spend your first-day shopping for essentials at the destination at a price three times higher, this article will guide you through making a checklist of all travel essentials that will make your journey smooth and stylish. 

So first things first, wardrobe. For a weeklong tour, pack your stuff in the "5-4-3-2-1 Method", where you must pack five tops, shirts or tees. Next pack four bottoms like trousers, skirts or denim.

Three pairs of shoes will suffice for shoes. You can take a crook, a comfortable walking pair, and a dressy option. Tuck in two fancy dresses and pack one set of accessories, such as a hat, jewellery set, or scarf.

Since it's winter, remember to wear a beanie or woollen gloves. Magic? This combination creates at least 12 different outfits. Mix and match your tour tops with three bottoms, and you have two ready fancy dress options. Voila! You've got enough unique looks to pull off any trip.

For short trips, follow the 3-3-3 formula. You must pack everything in 3: three tops, bottoms, and shoes here.

The pro tip for these methods is to use neutral colours like black, white and beige. This ensures everything matches everything else, giving you a more snatched look and outfit combinations. But pack one or two accent colours that will pop the look or for your Instagram's OOTD (Outfit Of The Day). Pack some inner garments, too. 

The most crucial part is your electronics. What is the point if you can't click and share any of your travel pictures on social media?

Pack your smartphone, a charging cable, a high-capacity power bank (at least 20,000 mAh), and most importantly, your headphones as a window seat.

Your favourite song will give you "Main character energy." And if you're a solo traveller, pack your tripod and camera with an extra battery and memory card. 

Next, keep a separate section for first aid. Here, you need to pack your basic painkillers, medications with prescriptions, meds for dysentery and motion sickness, saline, bandaids, and wet wipes. Also, pack a basic sewing kit, small scissors, some cotton buds, and safety pins. 

Next, organise your passport, visa copies, vaccine records, hotel booking, NID card, and birth certificate in your backpack. Keep digital copies on your phone and drive, and share them with a trusted family member. 

One often-forgotten category is toiletries, such as your toothbrush. Pack travel-sized daily essentials like a face wash, moisturiser according to your skin type, deodorant, a toothbrush with a cover, perfume, sachets of shampoo, and toothpaste.

This includes face wipes, hand sanitisers, and a small tissue pack for quick cleanups. Speaking of essentials, don't leave your menstrual products at home; even if you aren't expecting your period, it's better to be prepared. 

Now, you won't want to miss your makeup, so pack multi-purpose products to save space, like a tinted moisturiser with SPF, a concealer, waterproof mascara, and a bold and nude lip shade. Include a cream blush and travel-friendly eyeshadow palettes with eyebrow pencils and a little eyeliner. Remember, while traveling, "Less is more."

Don't leave home without some snacks to keep your energy up. These may include protein bars, a mix of your favourite nuts, dried fruits like raisins for sugar cravings, and maybe a bar of dark chocolate. Power tip: Pack some electrolyte powder sachets to keep you hydrated on a long day.

Let's focus on "Nice to have" items that can make your trip more comfortable. Consider a travel pillow, some poly, a small umbrella, a lock, and magazines. Reusable water bottles can save money and help the environment. 

Remember, packing isn't all about throwing things in a bag; consider this an art form that can make or break your vacation vibes. Make a checklist on your phone, and don't forget to cross-check and snap those rooms before checking out.

So, where are you planning to go this winter? Share with the writer at [email protected]