Minimalist Packing For Winter For Women

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Setting off on a winter adventure often brings to mind images of being laden with heavy coats, chunky boots, and a variety of cold-weather gear that could easily fill a large suitcase.

Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be this way! Minimalist packing for winter is definitely doable and it will make your overall holiday experience that much better.

I pack light and still stay warm and stylish (at least I think I’m stylish). I’m actually writing this blog post halfway through a 2-month winter trip and all I brought is a 25-liter backpack.

In this post, we’ll go over some general tips for minimalist packing, and then have a look at what I actually pack and wear during my trips in cold weather.

Table of Contents

Minimalist Packing For Winter Tips

All items from a minimalist winter packing list displayed on a carpet, featuring clothing, electronics, a drawstring bag, a yellow backpack, toiletries, and travel documents. — That’s all I bring for a 2-month winter trip (the outfit I’m wearing is not on the picture

Regardless of the season you’re traveling in, most general minimalist packing tips remain the same. The key difference lies in the selection of clothing, which we’ll discuss in a second. But first, let’s go through a list of packing tips for minimalist packing.

Choose the right bag. Make sure your bag isn’t too big otherwise, you might overpack. I personally use a 25-litre Patagonia bag that fits under an airplane seat.
Travel in your bulkiest outfit. In winter I wear winter boots, and a winter coat while traveling. As I get cold quickly, I even have a woolen hat, a thick scarf, and gloves with me.
Bring mix-and-match outfits: Opt for versatile pieces that you can combine in different ways, a so-called minimalist capsule wardrobe.
Start layering: It’s pretty simple, actually, the colder it gets the more layers you wear. For this to stay stylish, your clothes all must go together.
Utilize packing cubes. Initially, I thought they were pointless and silly. However, now I appreciate their ability to keep things organized and maximize space. To optimize your packing cube, roll up your clothes instead of just folding them.
Pack clothes for one week. For longer holidays, wash your clothes in your accommodation or at a nearby laundromat. No need to wash a T-shirt after wearing it once.
Spread everything in front of you. Gather all the items you plan to bring and assess if you truly need each one. This will give you a clearer view of your belongings.
Items for special activities: Consider if you’re going to do any special activities during your holiday and only bring things you’re actually going to use.

Watch me packing light for winter travel

Minimalist Packing for Winter Trip - 25 L Backpack

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Watch me packing light for winter travel

Minimalist Packing List for Winter

Minimalist Winter Wardrobe

A variety of winter clothing neatly arranged on a carpet, including a plaid shirt, a purple hoodie, patterned sweaters, and assorted pants and shorts in earth tones. Everything you need for minimalist packing in winter — My minimalist winter capsule wardrobe

In this minimalist wardrobe list, I’ll include the items I pack as well as the items I’m wearing while traveling. I’m a firm believer that you can travel minimalistic with the clothes you already have, there’s no need to buy special clothes just for a minimalist trip.

1 pair of long Pyjamas. You don’t know how cold the nights are, so I recommend bringing a long pyjama.
Socks and underwear for 8 days. Out of those I bring 3 pairs of period panties and one pair of additional socks for inside.
1 pair of boots/sneakers. I wear one pair of barefoot boots while I travel and don’t bring a second pair of shoes in winter. Make sure your boots or sneakers are waterproof.
1 pair of jeans. Usually, I wear jeans while traveling in winter.
2 pairs of tights: Bring one pair of thin tights and one pair of thick tights. If it get’s very cold, you can wear the thick tights over the thin ones, you can also wear your thin tights underneath your jeans.
1 or 2 skirts. On my current trip, I only brought one skirt, two would be fine as well. Make sure both skirts go with both tights and all tops.
4 tops or T-shirts. In winter, I bring one top to wear underneath my T-shirts as a base layer. Then I bring 1 short-sleeve T-shirt and 2 long-sleeve T-shirts.
1 shirt. A shirt for a bit warmer days instead of a sweater or on very cold days underneath the sweater.
2 sweaters or cardigans: I bring 1 sweater and one cardigan. Wear the bulkier one of the two while traveling and pack the other one.
Winter items: 1 warm coat, 1 woolen hat, 1 thick scarf, and 1 pair of gloves.

A mustard yellow winter jacket, a blue and white knitted beanie, a pair of brown lace-up winter boots, a chunky knit brown scarf, and a single grey glove displayed on a carpeted floor. — My winter outer layer

Toiletries

I’m not struggling with packing minimalist toiletries since I don’t wear makeup or deodorant. If you use makeup, bring only the essentials. Include only the toiletries you use almost every day on your minimalist packing list.

Toothpaste and toothbrush. I always bring an electric toothbrush for a thorough clean. Depending on the trip duration, I may need to bring the charger too.
Shampoo and soap bar. Using a shampoo bar instead of a bottle is more eco-friendly, as it eliminates plastic waste, and it’s more convenient when traveling with only carry-on luggage, as you don’t have many liquids.
Hairbrush: Bring a normal hairbrush from home. No need to buy a new travel-sized version of things you already have.
Body butter: Body butter is a great plastic-free and liquid-free option. No liquids to worry about at the airport!
Face lotion: I bring my normal tube of face lotion which is smaller than 100ml anyway.
A Reusable swab is very convenient for travel, as it’s small and can be used indefinitely.
Nail clippers, nail file, and tweezers. Keep in mind that some airlines prohibit nail scissors.
Razor with 1 spare head. The most minimalistic way would be to not shave at all, but that’s not for me.
Lip balm. I might use too much lip balm, and I’m very fussy about my lip balm. I might even bring two lip balms if my trip is very long.

Electronics

Assorted electronic devices and accessories for travel laid out on a carpet, featuring a laptop, red portable speaker, black power bank, various charging cables, and a blue USB hub. For a minimalist winter packing list. — All my electronics, without my phone and camera

Phone and charger. A phone is a must-have on every minimalist packing list. No need for further explanation.
Headphones for your phone are great for listening to music and watching movies. Headphones might also come in handy in some museums when they have audio guides for the phone.
E-book reader. Carry just one small e-book reader for numerous books.
Camera and equipment: only if you really need them.
Laptop: If you work while traveling, bring a laptop; otherwise, your phone will suffice.
Power bank. I rely on my phone for navigation, photography, and online searches, which drains the battery quickly. My battery bank is one of my top minimalist travel essentials.
Adaptor: depending on which country you travel to. Check online if you need an adaptor in your holiday destination.

Other Items

Travel essentials on a carpet, including a black and pink drawstring bag labeled 'Adore June', a floral water bottle, a passport, and a blue and black minimalist wallet.

Passport, duh!
Day bag: When traveling, I need a small bag to carry my essentials like my wallet, phone, water bottle, and other necessities for a day of exploring a city. I opt for a simple day bag without many extra features.
Packing cubes. There are various options from different brands but prioritize lightweight ones.
Water bottle. My stainless steel bottle goes everywhere with me. It helps reduce waste and you can bring an empty water bottle on a plane.
Health supplements and medicine if needed. Bring your usual supplements from home. I typically bring vegan multivitamins and DHA.
Sunglasses, I might skip them in winter, depending on the destination.
Travel Insurance: It may not be thrilling, but travel insurance is important. A good one, such as SafetyWing, covers medical emergencies as well as travel delays and more.

Tina wearing a mustard yellow jacket and a yellow Patagonia backpack stands looking at the London skyline featuring the Shard, viewed from a bridge over the River Thames on an overcast day. — My last winter trip

Final Thoughts: Minimalist Winter Packing List

As a minimalist traveler, I’ve learned to prioritize and only bring the essentials. This packing list might not work for everyone, as each person’s needs and preferences are different.

However, it serves as a starting point for creating your own personalized winter packing list.

Remember, less is more when it comes to traveling light and enjoying the journey without worrying about heavy luggage.

Join my Minimalist Travel Facebook group to learn packing tips from each other!