Travel Light, Swim Stylish: The Ultimate Minimalist Packing Guide

Packing light, the ultimate travel hack

When you go minimalist, it’s not just your bag that feels lighter—you do, too. Less luggage means fewer airport hassles, quicker check-ins, and the relief of skipping the dreaded wait at the baggage carousel. And believe it or not, it’s also a big win for sustainable travel—every kilo you don’t pack helps reduce fuel use, making your footprint a little lighter on the planet.

And while we’re at it: navigating crowded streets or hopping on and off public transport is a lot easier when you’re not lugging around a suitcase that weighs more than you do.

Go for versatile, multi-functional pieces

When it comes to packing, think double-duty or capsule wardrobe style. Start with swimwear, like our swim shorts, designed to work as both swimwear and daywear. Add a few must-haves: a lightweight dress, comfy sandals, and a couple of statement accessories (sunnies, wide-brimmed hat—you get the gist) to elevate any outfit. Good to go, Sheila.

Pro tip: Stick to neutral or complementary colours for easy mix-and-matching.

Swimwear for easy transitions

Holidays are all about seamless transitions—from buffet brekkie to beachside lounging. You need pieces that take you from A to B effortlessly, so you can focus on your very important tasks of relaxing and exploring. 

The perfect example? Our Mina One Piece: a true chameleon. Style it as a bodysuit with a loose shirt or flowy skirt, pair it with sneakers for a morning stroll, or dive straight into the ocean (or go for gold and do all three).

What to look for?

When you’re packing light, fabric matters. Quick-drying, breathable, and easy-care materials are your best friends on the road (or plane). We made sure our Sheila swimsuits tick all the boxes: recycled nylon, UPF 50+ fabric, and more.

Now we know what to pack, how should we pack it?

Packing smart can make all the difference. Keep things simple with a few of our favourite techniques, keeping things light and tight:

1. Packing cubes

These bad boys are a lifesaver. Simply group items into cubes, saving space and making it easy as to find what you need. No more tearing apart your suitcase—just unzip, grab, and go! (Bonus: no more realising what you needed was right at the top.)

2. Roll, don’t fold

Here’s the trick: tightly roll each piece (think t-shirts, dresses, shorts) and stack them side-by-side for maximum efficiency. This technique will help you fit more into your suitcase while also keeping your clothes wrinkle-free and ready to wear.

3. The 3-2-1 rule

Three tops, two bottoms, and one dress for a whole week. Yep; that’s all you need. This tried and tested formula keeps things light and gives you just the right amount of options for mixing and matching. Combined with Sheila’s most versatile pieces (hello Mina, Alyssa, and our famous logo tee) and you’re set for the trip.