How To Pack For Three Months Of Travel
Most people run away from the daunting task of packing for an overseas trip. Not me. I sprint towards it.
I rise to the challenge of packing exactly what I need for situations unknown to me. I reveal in the self lead competition of packing as little as possible while simultaneously looking excellent at the Taj Mahal.
My most recent challenge: packing for a three month adventure in India (with a hot minute in Australia to finish).
Like the packing weirdo that I am, I’ve noted down everything I have brought with me, down to the number of handkerchiefs. I’m going to assume you’re here because you obsess over clever and sustainable packing too or perhaps you’re leaving for the airport in 2 hours and you need some help! Either way, I’ve got you.
I have 3 bags with me:
Second hand daypack borrowed from my sister (thanks George)
Cactus Outdoor HUNTAWAY 55L BACKPACK
Together, they weigh just under 20kgs.
Note: I have linked to products I recommend. Some of the products were gifted to me due to my work as a sustainable living influencer.
Clothing
Before you read this list, I’ll let you into my thoughts when I created what has turned out to be an epic travel wardrobe. If you’re travelling to India, this list is crucial for you too.
Below the knee
Loose fit
Covers shoulders
Lightweight
January (cold winter desert terrain) to April (HOT)
These guidelines were based around cultural, practical (e.g. drying fast after hand washing), and weather based reasons. Even though the list sounds tricky, they made the job of picking what clothes to bring to India so much easier as the decisions were already made for me.
Jumpsuit: Rupahaus
Dress: Frank & Dollys
Skirt: Second hand
Pants: Rupahaus
Black t-shirt: Citizen Wolf
Orange t-shirt: Vege Threads
Light pink t-shirt: Kowtow
White top: Rupahaus
Black long sleeved: Standard Issue
Light blue button up long sleeve top: Second hand
Merino leggings: icebreaker
Merino long sleeve base layer: icebreaker
Shawl/scarf: The Minimal Co.
Jumper: Standard Issue
Puffer jacket
Summary: 1 jumpsuit, 1 dress, 1 skirt, 2 pants, 3 t-shirts, 1 short sleeved top, 2 long sleeved tops, leggings, long sleeved base layer, scarf, jumper, jacket. Everything goes with everything!
Sports & Swim
Yoga pants
Sports bra: LETE
Bike shorts: LETE
Sports top: icebreaker
Bikini top
Sun top: Hakinakina
Bikini bottoms high waisted: Hakinakina
Underwear
2 bras (no wires): icebreaker & Boody
11 undies: Hara, Azura Bay, They Are Delicates, Unde
3 period underwear: Modibodi & Love Luna
3 long socks: Nooan
2 sports socks: icebreaker
6 hankerchiefs: Second hand
Jewellery
5 necklaces: Luna & Rose
2 earrings: Luna & Rose and Reca
4 dangly earrings: Second hand, Artisan & Fox, Woodfolk.
Shoes
Sandals: Handmade Italy
Trainers/barefoot shoes: Vivobarefoot
Brown leather boots: McKinlays
Tech/Gadgets
Charger (with two USB plugs)
2 iPhone cables
Large tripod
Laptop
Laptop adapter
Laptop charger
International plug adapter
Portable battery pack
Miscellaneous
Head torch
Passport/travel document folder
Travel pillow : Cabeau
Ear plugs
Fanny pack: Sew Love
Bag of NZ gifts (jewellery, coasters & my book)
Travel towel
Shakti Mat: Shakti
Pack of cards
Note book
Drink bottle that filters viruses & bacteria: Water-to-Go
Extra filters for the drink bottle
SteriPen (another water treatment tool) + 2 spare batteries
Sunglasses: Pala
Covid tests
Washing line
2 pillow cases
Sewing kit: x4 needles and x3 colours of thread
Milton sterilising tablets for my menstrual cups
Bottle of ecostore dishwashing liquid for clothing stains
Clothes washing soap bar
Pack of KN95 face masks
2 jars of vitamins
Jar of probiotics
Large first aid kit
Mini first aid kit
2 books
Eye mask: Kind Face
Toiletries
Shampoo bar: Ethique
Conditioner bar: Ethique
Face wash: Ethique
Face scrub: Ethique
Face moisturiser: Ethique
Deodorant: Ethique
Serum: Aleph Beauty
Foundation: Aleph Beauty
Blush: Aleph Beauty
Mascara: Aleph Beauty
Lipstick: Ethique
Eye liner: Ere Perez
Eyeshadow: Living Nature
Perfume: Raw Nature
Floss: Eco Brush
Bamboo toothbrush: Eco Warehouse
Tooth tabs: Solid
Hair ties (I borrow Tim’s hairbrush)
Tweezers
Mouth plate (I used to have braces)
Safety razor: CaliWoods
2 lip balms: Aotearoad
Cotton tips: Eco Warehouse
Lemon & Honey Balm: Mahurangi Honey
Sunscreen: Goodbye
Sunscreen: Back to the Wild
Sunscreen: Frankie Apothecary
Sunscreen: My Sunshine
Peppermint essential oil: Eco Warehouse
Insect repellent x2 (cream and spray): Skin Technology
Hand sanitizer refill: Corbin Rd
Spare conditioner & shampoo bar: Ethique
2 spare bamboo toothbrushes: Eco Warehouse
Pack of safety razor blade refills: CaliWoods
2 menstrual cups: MyCup NZ
Handbag
Sunglasses: Pala
Collapsible reusable cup: Stojo
Collapsible reusable container
Wallet
Small notebook
Fabric tissue holder (for napkins that I save when eating out)
Nail file
Handkerchief
Hair ties
Bobby pins
Reusable bag: Zero Bag
Reusable cutlery & straw: CaliWoods
Lip balm: Aotearoad
Hand sanitizer: Corbin Rd
2 pens
Pencil
Mini sunscreen: Goodbye
KN95 face mask
Things I packed that I wish I didn’t:
Green jumpsuit: It’s difficult to pee on squatting toilets in India, so jumpsuits are not practical.
Beanie: It never got cold enough to wear it and my puffer jacket has a hood, so this was a silly decision.
Green top (handmade in 2017 in India): I wore this only once at a wedding event, but it only goes over my merino leggings, which are relatively thin so I don’t feel super comfortable wearing the combo.
Underwear: I should have brought only 6 pairs of underwear instead of 11 as we’ve been able to wash underwear in the shower and dry them quickly.
Neck pillow: I borrowed an inflatable neck pillow from my parents but after experiencing Tim’s comfort with his new neck pillow on our first flight, I purchased one the same from a store in Melbourne Airport! The borrowed neck pillow sits redundant in my bag while I sleep in comfort on my fancy one (the brand is Cabeau).
2 charger heads: We ended up buying an Indian plug that takes two USB inputs so we can charge our battery packs and phones in it. This means I am carrying around 2 charger heads that are redundant here in India!
Things I packed, haven’t used, but am still glad I brought just in case:
Pair of thin wool gloves
Raincoat
2 reusable pads
Reading other people’s packing blog posts helped me in my decision making, so I trust this sustainable packing blog post helps you too!
If you found this article helpful or you have some extra travel tips to share, please send me a message on Instagram!
