15 Best Travel Essentials For Women (from a carry-on traveler)

I’m going to start by saying that I’m not an over-packer any more. I travel the world full time with this 20′ carry-on bag and a small backpack… oh and my husband! 😜 and after 3+ years of doing this, I’ve learned that there are 15 things I absolutely cannot live without because they make my life on the road a lot easier.

So, whether you’re getting ready to start jet-setting across the globe or exploring hidden gems closer to home, you’re about to revolutionize your packing game! I’m going to share all my secrets as a minimalist packer, as well as my top 15 travel essentials for women. No BS!

Ready to Learn About My Top Travel Essentials For Women? Let’s Dive In!

The 15 Best Travel Essentials For Women! Advice From A Full Time Traveler. By Ways of Style.

*This post contains affiliate links. Which means if you shop for certain things by clicking the links in this blog post, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thanks in advance for supporting Ways of Style!

_{This post was originally shared in January 2023 and updated on January 8th 2025.}

First: Let’s Talk About Minimalist Packing!

🧳 Minimalist packing = freedom

When we’re traveling, especially as women, there are already so many decisions we have to make on a daily basis:

👉🏻 What route should you take?

👉🏻 Where are the best places to eat?

👉🏻How do you stay safe in a new city?

The last thing you need is to waste energy deciding what to wear or struggling with an overpacked bag.

Here’s the truth: less is always more when you’re on the road.

Adopting a minimalist packing mindset will save you time, energy, and stress. All while freeing up valuable headspace for the things that truly matter.

Think about it… fewer clothes mean fewer decisions. You’ll spend less time rummaging through your suitcase and more time enjoying your trip, whether that’s soaking in a new culture, relaxing with a good book, or making memories with friends or family. It’s one less thing to worry about, and trust me, that mental clarity is a game changer.

Today, I’m going to teach you how to become a minimalist packer and help you think about the essential travel pieces you actually need.

No fluff. No unnecessary extras. Just practical, BS-free advice to help you travel smarter and lighter.

Are you ready to embrace the freedom of minimalist packing? Let’s do this! 👏🏼

15 Travel Essentials for Women!

Here you have them all, but they’re organized by clothing, accessories and miscellaneous. Make sure to read my advice for each as well ;) I promise I have a valid reason for all of these.

👉🏻 If you need help picking how many things to actually pack, I can send you a customized packing list for spring & summer trips. You just need to answer these 2 questions and check your inbox after. It’s basically me packing for you 💫

Now, let’s get to why I’m recommending these 15 travel essentials. Remember they are organized by clothing, accessories & miscellaneous. Let’s get started with clothing ⬇️

5 Travel Essentials For Women (Clothing)

It was so difficult to pick just 5 things, but if I list them all, then this post becomes useless. These are the 5 clothing essential I pack on repeat. I always have some kind of version of these, and my suitcase would simply not be complete without these 5 pieces, no matter the season (except for winter because we don’t like cold weather):

1️⃣ A button down linen shirt: (my preferred option is white)

You can replace it with a chambray shirt. It depends on which season you’re traveling in and the weather at your destination. This is a very underestimated piece and sometimes considered boring, but it doesn’t have to be. You can seriously wear it in so many different ways! You can:

Throw it over a dress.

Use it as a beach cover up.

Tie a front knot.

Layer it under a sweater.

You get the point. Button down shirts are so versatile!

How to create a capsule wardrobe for traveling

2️⃣ A top/bottom set:

These are great because you can wear them together and make them look like a dress, but you can also wear them separately to create even more travel outfits! My go-to set is a top and a midi skirt. But you can choose one with pants or shorts. Whatever fits your personal style better.

MY TOP 3 PLACES TO BUY THE CUTEST TOP/BOTTOM SETS:

Budget (sustainable) – Medium (sustainable) – Premium (sustainable)

Side note here: I used to think either a jumpsuit or a maxi dress were better choices, but no. Sets are way better! You can style them in more ways and they take less space. It’s been a game changer for me!

3️⃣ Comfortable/Stylish Joggers:

Forget about jeans! A good pair of joggers is another game changer. These are great for hikes, travel days and you can even dress them up with cute espadrilles or sandals. (These are the ones I love the most.

But honestly you can’t go wrong with this brand!)

4️⃣ Waterproof Birkenstocks:

I have 2 pairs and I always travel with one OR the other. You only need to pack one pair per trip.

I use these ones the most, but these styles are also very versatile.

5️⃣ White Sneakers:

I can’t remember a time in my life where I didn’t have a pair of white sneakers. And now that I travel full time in a carry-on with only 3 pairs of shoes at a time, I understand why.

White sneakers are endlessly versatile, work for any season and occasion and look so stylish. This is why they make the list of the 15 best travel essentials for women!

👟 These are the ones I have, just keep in mind that they are often sold out, so if they’re available just snag them! (I recommend that you pre-order them if you have no rush though). AND they also have a Canva version which are the ones that my husband has.

This is something you will buy once every 3-5 years! (FYI: no matter which ones you choose, you can wash all of them by hand)

I could also add a little black dress and a white t-shirt to this list! I couldn’t just leave them out. So technically it’s 7 travel essentials for women! 😅

You Will Find These Useful:

5 Travel Essentials For Women (Accessories)

When it comes to traveling, having the right accessories can make all the difference.

I like to choose a couple of statement pieces like a neck scarf, headband or jewelry which can transform any of my outfits instantly! And because I always pack neutrals, it’s hard to go wrong with which accessories I bring with me.

Accessories take up little room and add plenty of variety to your travel wardrobe, so have fun picking these (this is where I keep all my accessories while on the road). Think about bold, colorful pieces to really take your outfits to the next level!

Here are my top 5 accessories for women:

6️⃣ Pashmina:

A versatile travel scarf is essential. Not only does it add a fashionable touch to any outfit, but it can also double as a blanket or pillow during long flights or bus rides. Look for one made from lightweight material so it takes less space.

With a pashmina, you can add an extra layer to any look, you can use it as a picnic blanket, beach cover-up AND to cover your head or shoulders when visiting religious sites.

(Here’s a great budget option – And here’s a dressier one)

7️⃣ Statement Earrings:

Have fun with these! Choose tassel earrings with bold or multiple colors. I also always have with me these pearl earrings and I wear them a lot, so they were a good investment.

Because earrings don’t take a lot of room, I usually travel with 4-5 pairs and use to elevate any of my ‘basic’ outfits.

8️⃣ Headbands:

I love a good headband! And if you’ve ever watched any of our travel videos on Youtube, you know that I wear them often.

This is my favorite website to shop for headbands that don’t give me a headache lol – I recommend packing 2-3 and mix and match between printed/colorful ones and neutrals.

9️⃣ Neck Scarf:

Little did I know all the different ways I could use a neck scarf! You can tie them to your bag, wear them around your neck or even to dress up a pony tail.

Have fun with this piece and choose a couple of fun prints! This is one of my favorite travel essentials for women!

🎯 Pro tip: a neck scarf is perfect for Europe!

1️⃣0️⃣ Crossbody Bag:

Also something I didn’t know I needed, but have you ever tried to take anything out of a backpack? It’s annoying AF!

I love carrying a small crossbody bag with me, and my main criteria is that it fits my sunnies, cellphone and travel wallet.

👉🏻 This is the crossbody bag I’m traveling with AND loving right now ! I’ve had it for the last 9 months.

🎯 Another prime example of why I love #2 on this list of best travel essentials for women! The one and only top and bottom set! (aka matching set)

5 Travel Essentials For Women (Miscellaneous)

Last but not least, we have miscellaneous items. These are the last 5 items of this list of 15 best travel essentials for women!

1️⃣1️⃣ Compression Packing Cubes:

I think packing cubes are specially useful for women. My husband hates them, but for a guy who only packs shorts and t-shirts, I see his point.

I love them because I can keep my bag organized by category, I can easily find things as I need them, they’re easy to unpack and it helps me with space management. For example I have one packing cube for my tops and whatever fits in there, is what goes on my trip and so on.

👉🏻 Find out if packing cubes are right for you by reading this blog post.

1️⃣2️⃣ Menstrual Cup:

Ideally you won’t have to travel when having your period, but if you’re in it for the long term like I am, there’s no escaping this one. Full disclosure, I don’t always wear mine. I’m still figuring out which one is the right fit (literally) and I’ve had accidents lol – but I’ll get there.

I still think these are a must because they save space and the planet! My advice is that you don’t try a menstrual cup for the first time during your trip, test it in advance and make sure it works for you!

1️⃣3️⃣ Comfortable Pajamas:

This might sound crazy to some people, but nothing beats going to bed with good pajamas. I travel with 2 of these and a silk robe lol (I might leave the robe behind for my next 6 months of travel, but I will miss it dearly!).

To save space, I travel only with short sleeve & shorts PJ sets.

(Browse cute and comfy PJs here)

1️⃣5️⃣ Foldable Tote Ba g:

Having an extra bag that folds up small, but expands when needed is incredibly useful. We use ours on travel days to carry random food items from one Airbnb to another, on day trips, for shopping at local markets and for beach days.

Basically, whenever we don’t have baggage restrictions (aka bus and train travel), we throw anything in there last minute! Don’t overspend on this one because if you use it like we do, it will get dirty. Make sure it’s washable too!

1️⃣5️⃣ Face Towel:

I cannot dry my face with Airbnb/hotels towels… who knows where those have been. Seriously, who knows!? That’s why I always travel with this cute face towel :)

PS: don’t forget your adapter to plug your electronics (different countries use different plugs). This is the one we’ve had since we left to travel full time in September 2021.

Resist the temptation to overpack “just in case” items. Stick to the mindset of embracing simplicity and trust that you’ll have everything you need within reach throughout your trip. I understand traveling can be stressful and that you’re just making sure that all of your needs will be covered.

But I can tell you from personal experience that you if you do end up needing anything extra (which rarely happens) you will be able to find at your destination. And you will be amazed at how much your concept of “need” evolves over time. I promise, you don’t need as much as you think.

Basic Things To Consider When Packing Your Suitcase:

Here are some extra tips to keep in mind when packing your suitcase. If you want to watch a video of how I pack, where I put all of these strategies into practice, you can sign up here and watch it. It’s a private video and it’s free. You will learn so much about packing light in under 30 minutes!

Here are some basic things to consider:

🎯 Obvious one, but where are you going? Check the weather 3-4 days in advance. There could be rain, or a cold front, or a heat wave, or it could be sunny and 70 degrees… all of this matters when deciding what to bring with you.

🎯 What type of activities will you be doing? Beach, hikes, museums, party, etc.

🎯 Is it a fancy or a casual trip?

🎯 How long is the trip? My current packing set-up allows me to create outfits for at least 21 days before I have to do laundry (although we do end up doing laundry every 7-10 days just because).

🎯 Is there a washer at your Airbnb? Does your hotel have 24-hour laundry service? This is especially important if you like to pack white t-shi rts like me :)

🎯 Do you sweat a lot? Weird question I know, but this helps you think about how many times you can realistically wear something before you have to wash it. This is different for everyone.

🎯 How many times a day do you usually change while on vacation? Try to picture how your days will look like and what seems realistic. You will most likely wear only one outfit per day. For this one is very important that you picture how your days will look like, and where your accommodation is located.

For example, we were in Rome this past summer and our hotel was very far from the center, so we just committed to spend the day in the center until after dinner. Hence, I only needed one outfit per day ;)

🎯 Have you checked how walkable your destination is? Because if you’re going to Western Europe, it is very unlikely you will be wearing heels or flat sandals with slippery soles. Forget about those if where you’re going is hilly and with cobblestone streets!

Curious about which carry-on I travel with?

Here’s the link to my new gorgeous carry-on! Notice the ultra wide handle. GAME CHANGER! 👏🏼 It gives me extra space to neatly pack all my things!!

Interested in a customized packing list?

Remove the stress out of packing! Just answer the 2 questions below and I’ll email you a carry-on packing list depending on your trip! 👇🏼

Let’s talk about Makeup! – These Are My Best Makeup Packing Tips!

No post about ‘Best Travel Essentials For Women’ would be complete without talking about makeup.

I actually use very little makeup, but it hasn’t always been that way. Let me explain.

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes here. I used to travel with a giant bag full of products. Turns out I really don’t need much. Despite making travel videos for a living, I’ve learned to let go of the need to look perfect, so I don’t use a lot of make up anymore!

Less is more applies here as well, and I’ve learned that the best thing to do here is to have products that are versatile and high quality.

My advice is to try to downsize as much as possible at home. Try the setup you want to bring for your travels for one week and see if it works out. Spoiler alert, it will!

This Is My Current Make Up Bag Set Up:

Turns out, I only use 5 things! Plus, 3 makeup tools including my makeup bag.

Foundation: I love this brand so much! They are experts at matching your color online! I always order my foundation while in the US. My foundation is my biggest make up item and that’s why I pack it in my toiletry bag.

Concealer: I don’t really have a preference. I buy what I can find and it depends on where I am when I run out. This is the one I have right now and I like it.
Blush: This is the brand I’ve been using for years and I order it when I’m back in the US whenever I need it. I try to plan ahead when I’m about to run out. I like it because it’s small and you have to use very little product, so it lasts me for well over a year!
Mascara: I’m also not loyal to any brands here… I buy what I can find, whenever I need it. This is the one I have right now.

Eye/Brow Liner: Same as above. Bought this one last time I was in the US and I’ve had it for 2 years lol – it’ll be good for 2 more years. I only use it for my eyebrows.

Makeup Tools:

Makeup Sponge: I use this sponge to apply my foundation. It usually lasts me 6 months and I wash it with water and soap once a month or so while on the road.
Makeup Brush: This is the brand I’ve been using for many years! I only bring one make up brush for my blush. That’s it!

Makeup Bag: Just a small makeup bag that came with my brush set. (here’s a small one in case you need one)

General Advice When Choosing What Toiletries To Pack:

If you use more products than I do, focus on multi-purpose products to save space and reduce clutter. This brand has AMAZING multi-purpose products!
Buy travel sized products! It will save you so much space. And you will be amazed at how much things actually last! I usually don’t recommend travel sized products for everything, but when it comes to beauty products, it’s a great solution to save some space.

Remember that if you run out of something, you will be able to buy a replacement, and honestly it can be a fun travel experience too.
As a general piece of advice, grab a very small makeup bag and bring only what fits in there. As mentioned earlier, try and test your ideal makeup travel routine one week before your trip to make sure it works for you.

I’ve also realized that having a solid beauty routine while traveling, helps my skin look so much better, hence I need less makeup. That being said, this is how my beauty routine looks like right now:

Everything is from this brand:

Antioxidant Balm (at night only – great for under eye area too!)
Plumping cream
Plumping serum

Make sure to use code WAYSOFSTYLE10 for 10% off!! It’s worth it :)

👉🏻 Also read: how to simplify your toiletry bag! (you can do it too!)

Final Thoughts About Travel Essentials For Women:

I didn’t want use the word ‘essential’ loosely, that’s why I kept this article simple.

I spent a lot of time thinking about how to make this post useful, so I hope you leave this random page you found on the internet with some direction and new ideas about things you’ll actually need while on vacation.

Remember, these are just some suggestions based on personal experience – every woman’s travel needs may vary depending on her destination and preferences!

The most important thing is packing light with only the essentials. This way you’ll have more freedom to explore and enjoy new experiences while keeping your stress levels low! It does make a difference to pack light.

If you feel like I left anything out, please leave your questions in the comments and if you have any suggestions about what you want to see next in here, I’m all ears! Leave them in the comments too.

Thanks so much for being here and safe travels wherever you’re heading next ✈️

XO,

Aimara

PS: if you’re ready to learn how to pack light once and for all, I have an awesome packing workshop that will teach you absolutely EVERYTHING you need to know! You can purchase it here.

About the author:

Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.

I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.

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👜 Personal Items & Travel – Everything You Need To Know!

👟 The 5 Best Shoes For Traveling!

🧳 5 Genius Spring Break Packing Tips!

✈️ How To Survive Long Travel Days Like A Pro.

Home » The 15 Best Travel Essentials For Women (Packing Advice From a Full Time Traveler)

Want to watch a packing video instead? I share my full 6-month packing list + outfit ideas in this video ⬇️

Comments

Jenn says

April 11, 2024 at 1:46 am

These are such good tips. I have a terrible over packing problem I’m trying to break. I really need to streamline my whole packing style.

Jenn says

March 25, 2024 at 1:19 am

This is a solid list. I still swear by a neck pillow though. But I’ve gone through 3 spinal fusions and find that airline pillows pale in comparison to a great memory foam neck pillow.