I’m all about packing light and travelling with as little luggage as possible, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have travel essentials! I have a selection of ladies travel clothes I can’t leave home without and they come with me on every trip.
Here they are…
Neutral trainers
A stylish pair of black trainers are the easiest shoe to travel with. They go with everything and can look elegant yet casual at the same time.
I’ll usually take a second pair of shoes with me, whether it’s a sandal or a pair of heels, but those black trainers are essential! adidas have some gorgeous ladies black trainers and I’m currently swooning over the Samba OG W. I have some white Sambas I wear all the time but there’s something special about the black ones!
Swimsuit / bodysuit
This can be a difficult one to find but, once you find the perfect swimsuit, buy it in every colour! A swimsuit that can also be worn as a bodysuit is such a handy item for your packing list because you can pretty much wear it all day, everyday! Wear it with a skirt for dinner, with your shorts for a morning walk or with your jeans for a simple but cute top. And you’ll be beach ready at the drop of a hat!
I know finding the perfect swimsuit is the bane of our lives when it comes to ladies travel clothes but I’ve actually always found that the supermarkets swimsuits are my favourites. All my best ones are from Tesco!
Relaxed, tailored trousers
The best thing about comfy, tailored trousers is that they’re as comfortable as joggers but look chic and elegant. I always feel like I’m cheating when I’m wearing them because people think I’ve made an effort but I really haven’t’. Whether you’re flying or going out for dinner, tailored trousers are a travel essential! My favourites have always been from H&M.
Oversized cardigan
Even if I’m travelling to a warm destination I’ll still take an oversized cardigan. I like it to stay cosy on the plane or use it as a blanket if I sleep. Then it’s handy for chilly evenings or cold mornings too. I’ve got a sweater/cardigan/shacket type thing from Amazon that I love.
Lightweight slip dresses
This is another item where if you find your perfect slip dress you should buy it in every colour!
I have three from Topshop that come on most trips with me. They sit just above the knee and the fabric is thin enough that I can tuck them up into my trousers and wear them like tops too. I wear them as a beach coverup but I’ll also wear them out for dinner.
Tiny kitten heels
I never travel with proper heels because they take up too much space in my case and, let’s be honest here, I hate wearing them. But a pair of heels do make me feel more elegant and finish off an outfit nicely so I’ve recently bought some tiny kitten heels and I love them.
The heel is so small that it’s really barely a heel at all but they still make me feel more sophisticated.
I’ve got a whole post about the best shoes for travel here.
Neutral tops
Keep it simple with the tops. I take a handful of tops in neutral colours like black, white, beige and tan. The style of the top will really depend on the weather but I have a variety of long-sleeve t-shirts, short sleeve tees, camis, vest tops and jumpers.
Silky PJs
I have a pair of silky PJs I take on every single holiday. I don’t wear them at home so these really are my ‘holiday PJs’ so they feel extra special. I originally bought them thanks to the silky material which means they fold up really small and don’t take up much space in my luggage.
Denim shorts
The absolute classic that goes with everything and can be worn anywhere! I rarely travel with jeans because they’re so bulky but I will always take a pair of denim shorts if the weather is warm enough. I have a pair of loose fitting black shorts that I wore every single day during a recent week in Tenerife.
Linen trousers
Another classic that comes out of the wardrobe every summer. A simple, loose-fitting linen trouser is so easy to travel with because they’re lightweight, fold up small, can be worn on the plane and casually all day. They’re just such a comfy, easy thing to slip on with your swimsuit, a hoodie or a nice top.
Tips for finding the perfect ladies travel clothes for you
If you’re the kind of person who gets overwhelmed when you’re packing for holidays then I have some simple tips to find the perfect ladies travel clothes for you.
It took me a long time to find what I consider to be my ‘travel wardrobe’. I used to try and pack everything and I’d always overpack and take items that never got worn. It all felt chaotic and confusing and overwhelming!
Here’s how to simplify your travel clothes…
Get a colour analysis
A colour analysis is where a specialist will look at your hair, skin and eye colour and tell you which colours suit your tone and which colours look bad on you. Some will also look at your body shape and tell you which shapes and styles will complement your figure.
I had it done a few years ago and it’s really helped.
I found out I’m a ‘muted autumn’ which means I should wear soft, earthy colours to compliment my skin tone. Bold and bright colours can wash me out.
It initially felt restrictive to have a limited set of colours I could wear but it’s actually really liberating and makes it so much easier to get dressed, pack clothes for holidays and buy new clothes too.
I only buy clothes within this colour palette now so it means all my clothes match and I’ve created a capsule wardrobe without really thinking about it.
Repeat the outfits that make you feel good
If you love something, wear it again. If you REALLY love it, buy it again in a slight variation.
Rewear trousers, shorts or skirts
Another hack to pack light is simply to wear the same shorts, trousers or skirt for most of your holiday. Most men do this throughout the holiday but we women think we need an entire new outfit for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day! We don’t.
Have a simple holiday uniform to avoid decision fatigue
Decision fatigue is real!
Make life easier for yourself by sticking to the same ‘holiday uniform’ to avoid the stress of packing for holiday. Start small and, like I have, have your holiday PJs. I also have my holiday slip dresses and my favourite holiday shorts and linen trousers. From there you can change it slightly with different tops or a new swimsuit but that’s a good portion of your holiday clothing covered.
Dress up an outfit with accessories, not more clothing
If your outfits feel a bit drab, don’t fall into the trap of packing more clothes. You don’t need more clothes, just pack some accessories.
I pretty much always wear black shorts or trousers and a plain, neutral top and this is pretty much the most boring outfit combination you could imagine. But once you add a nice bag, a belt, a hat, sunglasses, bold jewellery and some fabulous shoes…well now you’ve got yourself an outfit.
Travel Hack Tip: I highly recommend looking out for the videos on Instagram and TikTok about ‘wearing vs styling’ for inspo.