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

The Loyal Workshop Handbag

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!