What to pack for a holiday in Bali: new 15-piece capsule

If you’d love to see more capsule wardrobe ideas, including everyday wear, workwear or travel, visit our capsule wardrobe index here. 

Sponsored by Allianz Travel Insurance

It’s just one more sleep until we take off for a 10-day holiday to one of my favourite places – Bali. We’ll be staying in a couple of new (to us) places and cannot wait to explore and re-charge.

Bali is just a six-hour flight from Brisbane, making it possible to be in holiday mode super quickly. And the beauty of going to a destination like this one is that all year round the weather will be similar – warm, hot and humid. I know this doesn’t excite everyone but from a packing and planning perspective, your suitcase will be filled with lightweight pieces.

My 9 tips for how to pack and plan for a trip to Bali are similar to those if you’re having Australian summer beach holiday but with a longer flight on top. The aim with your travel capsule is to feel cool and comfortable, to consider sun-safe options.

{If you’re after tips on what to do when in Bali, check out this post and this post … I’ll also be publishing new posts based on my trip this week … stay tuned!}

9 tips for how to pack and plan for a trip to Bali

1. Think about what your daily activities will involve. Maybe you’re going to take out time share on a beachside umbrella and plant yourself there for the duration. No judgement here. You’ll need swimsuits, thongs and cover-ups as your mainstays. If you’re doing some day trips or shopping, then consider adding in shorts and sneakers.

2. Think about what your nightly activities will involve. We love eating out on holidays so I take a mix of evening options that work. We’re not talking cocktail attire, instead think minimalist shifts or maximalist kaftans. Or both.

3. Take more than one swimsuit. I always pack at least two swimsuits if I’m heading on a dedicated beach holiday. This always means you have one dry and available for a quick change from a morning at the beach to an afternoon poolside. Pack rash vests – particularly if you’re planning any water activities.

4. Take outfits that work back with your swimsuits. This can include cotton frocks and cover-ups as well as shorts and tunic tops. A swimsuit can become a bottom layer of an outfit so make it all work together and you’ll extend your holiday wardrobe. Ideal for that elusive beach-to-bar concept that only seems to happen if holidaying sans kids.

5. Pack a beach bag and towels. Often I’ll make the beach bag my carry-on bag or I’ll pack a flat one in my case. Make it a bag that is a neutral or something that can work back with your capsule. We also take our Turkish towels with us – ideal for any day-tripping that might happen as these towels take up next to no room.

6. Pack a hat. And sunscreen. I do pack a broad-rimmed hat in my suitcase for a beach holiday. See HERE for how. Coupled with sunscreen, these are my must-haves. I love the beach but my skin is fair and I don’t take any chances.

7. Pack a couple of different pairs of sunglasses. I keep my holiday accessories to a minimum (mostly my everyday jewellery and one statement necklace and/or ring/bangle/earrings) and prefer instead to mix up my look with a different pair of sunglasses. You have them on all day and for sunset cocktails, so why not take a couple of options?

8. Wear an in-flight outfit that won’t have you sweltering on arrival. This is the tricky thing as you have to dress for the day/evening you depart and the cold on-board situation but be able to adapt that outfit for arrival. A lightweight pant, tee and sneakers with layers I can easily take off and pop in my carry-on on arrival usually works for me. This time around I’m thinking a frock and tights situation, so I can remove the tights on arrival but not freeze on the chilly morning airport tun.

9. Don’t rely on shopping while in Bali to complete your travel wardrobe. I say this with a word of warning. Relying totally on holiday purchases to make the bulk of your travel wardrobe can be fraught with danger. You might arrive at a time when stock is low in stores – or you can’t find pieces that suit your shape or style. Go shopping and if you find pieces that need to be trotted out with a cocktail in hand, then consider them a bonus.

15-piece Bali travel capsule wardrobe

The following travel capsule is a guide for you when planning your own trip. It’s the base from which you might want to add more to. With the hot and humid conditions, keep in mind that you might want to change at least twice each day/night. I would double the number of clothing pieces in the capsule, making sure that any separates work back with each other and that any additions work with the existing shoe edit you’re planning on taking. Check your accommodation (or nearby your accommodation) for laundry facilities. If you have laundry access and feel inclined to wash while on holidays, then the less you’ll need to pack.

1. Holiday dress $69.95 (on sale) @ birdsnest

2. Birdkeepers dress $69.95 @ birdsnest

3. Country Road t-shirt $69.95 

4. Bohemian Traders top $89

5. Bohemian Traders shorts $119

6. The Acqua Brand rashguard $139

7. Jets swimsuit $149.95

8. Ruby Yaya cover-up $119 (on sale) @ birdsnest

9. FRANKiE4 HiLARY slides $149.95

10. FRANKiE4 Footwear JACKiE sneakers $229.95

11. FRANKiE4 ALYCE wedges $219.95

12. Helen Kaminski hat $240

13. Quay Australia sunglasses $60

14. Country Road bag $229

15. Lee Garrett tote $109.95 

So tell me, is Bali a fave destination of yours? Are you heading back there in the near future? Planning your first trip? When are you going and where are you visiting?

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Why travel insurance is as important as your passport

For me, I don’t book a holiday without first taking out travel insurance. Often the time of booking flights and accommodation can be long before the time of travel and you can never be certain of what might happen between then and showing your passport at customs.

I then want to take off knowing that if someone in my family needs it, I’m backed up with help from my travel insurance company. For my last three international trips – to Europe, Hawaii and to Bali – I’ve chosen and paid for Allianz travel insurance. I also take out Allianz travel insurance for any domestic travel or road trips we do.

Obtaining Allianz travel insurance is a simple and easy process. I select and purchase my cover online. I’ve found that the insurance cover is competitive in price for the inclusions I select.

For me, it’s about having peace of mind when we travel. I want to know that if anything goes wrong that my family is backed up through medical help or simply help with extra accommodation or replacement belongings should something be stolen.

When our son was sick six years ago while in New York, we weren’t concerned by the potential expense should we need hospital treatment. And when I book holidays in advance, I do so with the knowledge that if unexpected cancellations occur, I’m covered.^

In short, I don’t leave home – or book a holiday – without it.

Book with Allianz Travel Insurance online HERE. Enter STYLINGYOU to receive up to 10% off Comprehensive Travel Insurance*

Allianz has more information HERE and HERE – please read if you’re travelling to Bali.   

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Disclaimers

*Discount based on standard premium rates and applies to International Comprehensive policies only. Please note some discounts may have already been applied to premiums when a product is purchased through a certain channel (for example, online) (Original Discount). In such a case, the greater of the discount offered under this voucher and the Original Discount will be applied. Discount applies to standard premiums only. No discount will be applied to other premium components such as pre-existing medical condition cover.

Allianz Travel Insurance is issued and managed by AWP Australia Pty Ltd ABN 52 097 227 177 AFS Licence No. 245631, trading as Allianz Global Assistance, on behalf of the insurer Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ABN 15 000 122 850 AFS Licence No. 234708. Any information or advice here does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement available at allianz.com.au before buying this product.

^Terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions apply. Please see the Product Disclosure Statement for more information. Any information or advice here does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. If you purchase a policy, Allianz Global Assistance receives a commission which is a percentage of your premium – ask them for more details before they provide you with any services on this product.   

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My 10-step packing guide for any destination

For me, the holiday planning is all part of the excitement and anticipation of being on that escape. I love nothing more than going down the rabbit hole that is the internet looking for inspiration and ideas for what to do at the chosen destination but also for the types of clothes and accessories that will best suit that destination at the time that I’m travelling.

The formula I use for packing is one that can be adapted and applied to every destination and type of holiday. It’s not complicated. If you follow all the steps it’s quite liberating. I can’t ever imagine returning to my bad old days of throwing everything into a suitcase, sitting on said suitcase to get it closed, and hoping that I’d packed what I needed.

Want to get that formula? It’s all in my e-book.

Last year I released my e-book, How to plan and pack for your next holiday (confessions of a reformed over-packer) and I’m excited to let you know that it’s had a 2018 update and an expansion with some new chapters.

Buy my e-book HERE