Whenever you start to pack your bag there will always be a few of the same things that make their way in there; a toothbrush (hopefully), socks and undies usually top the list. A pashmina should be the next.
There is so much more that you need, especially if you want to pack light. An oxymoron you say? Yes, I thought so too. But with practice I am mending my ways.
Double duty items are the name of the game and today I’m looking at the talented pashmina.
Why You Should Carry A Pashmina
My packing guru friend Trish at Trip Styler puts it best:
I’m going out on a limb here, but I think a pashmina is the do-all, be-all of packing light—the perfect blend of fashion and function. In one trip it can perform the following duties:
a} scarf (for fashion or warmth}
b} plane blanket
c} bathing suit cover-up
d} make-shift umbrella (if a sudden storm threatens your tresses)
Mothers of small children will find a pashmina even more essential than the average traveler. You can use a pashmina, or in the summer a light-weight scarf, in the following ways:
- Nursing cover up
- Block the sun from your child’s eyes in the car or stroller
- Second top when the baby spits up all over your first one
- Blanket when the baby gets cold
- Changing pad
- Blanket or pillow in the car/plane/boat/train
- Backup child outfit for unexpected diaper malfunctions
Check out one of our
favorite classic pashminas!
For those traveling long term the pashmina can be even more essential when trying to distinguish a limited wardrobe. Carolina at Cultural Travel Guide says:
When it comes for travel attire I generally aim for comfort. That means hiking shoes (never white sneakers) and cargo pants, which is not a very flattering look for most women, and certainly not the most stylish.
Especially if you’re walking around Europe. And let’s face it, Europeans are a stylish crowd. My pashmina always comes to the rescue! I usually pack two or three pashminas in my luggage in different colors.
Without taking much space in your carry-on the pashmina is a must have clothing item while on travel. If it’s the summer and you’re visiting religious sites, you can use it as either to cover your shoulders or as a makeshift skirt and comply with the dress code.
If it’s spring or autumn you can use it around your neck or over your shoulders for some extra warmth. Heck, it can even become a dress if you’re getting out of a pool!
But most importantly, it dresses up even the sloppiest of outfits, complements your color palette and brings a bit of extra (and very needed) distinction and style to your travel wardrobe.
As the American Express campaign claimed: The pashmina, don’t leave home without it.
More Reasons to Love It
Still not convinced you should pack one of the most versatile pieces of fabric? Here are a few other friends giving their opinion as to why the pashmina is a travel essential for every type of trip and a must for your travel style.
A pashmina or big scarf is a great fashion accessory for the global girl. A pashmina can serve a multitude of purposes – brightens up a boring black outfit, a cover-up for visiting a temple and keeps you warm on a chilly plane or bus ride. It’s such a universal item. You can pick up a new one in almost every country you visit. It’s a great memento of your travels – much more useful than a lame “I was here” t-shirt. – Bethany at Flashpacker Family
I don’t always travel with a pashmina when we travel by car, but I always do while flying. I often find temperature fluctuations to be crazy on airplanes. I’m sweating one minute and freezing the next, and a scarf helps with that but isn’t bulky. Now that I travel with two young boys, one of which I’m typically carrying, a scarf comes on and off without having to juggle the baby around. And in a pinch, mine has served as a burp cloth or towel for cleaning up accidents. – Nicole at Arrows Sent Forth
I never go ANYWHERE without a pashmina. My black one lives in my purse. I use it to wrap up when I’m having dinner in a chilly restaurant or riding in the car with husband who loves air conditioning. It is starts to rain, it becomes an impromptu umbrella. When I’m traveling, I carry two–the utilitarian black one and a colorful one. The colorful one becomes my easy accessory to change the look of my outfits, as a wrap by the pool and to roll up as a pillow or use as a second blanket on a long, chilly plane ride. – Cindy, editor at Traveling Mom
I travel with a black wool/silk blend pashmina and love it. Well, I wish it was softer, but other than that, I like it. I use it as a blanket on planes, a wrap when I am a little cold. Haven’t had to use it (yet) as a head covering, but I’m hoping to get some for our girls soon. – Susan Whitehead at Real Family Travel
I always pack a sarong. It’s a total multi-purpose item. It’s a baby sling, breastfeeding cover, beach blanket, cover-up, shawl, and, of course, princess cape. – Corinne McDermott at Have Baby, Will Travel!
Not sure what to do with that pashmina or scarf once you have it.
A special thanks to Flashpacker Family for sending this video my way.
How to tie a scarf: 4 scarves, 16 ways via Nordstrom
Alternatives
The Scarf
I always carry some type of scarf with me as it’s one of those “can-use-for-anything” items. If it’s cold, I can wrap my head and/or neck. It can be a washcloth to bathe or wipe up spills. It’s my potholder for when I need to take our dinner off the stove. There’s no end to the uses! – Nancy at Family on Bikes
I love to pack scarves for two reasons. One is that they add a pop of color or design to any outfit. They make a regular traveling outfit look more hip or dressy depending on the scarf. The second reason is that there are a lot of temperature changes while traveling. For example, in the morning or evening it might be cold, or I might need an extra layer on the airplane or in a museum. – Jenna at This is My Happiness
Check out this scarf we love!
Agreed! Only where I live (Hawaii), we call them either a pareau or sarong. And I’ve found them useful for everything described above–bath towel, bath robe, swimsuit cover up, skirt, shawl, beach towel, light blanket, sling, carryall. In fact, I do not even unpack mine. It stays in my suitcase all the time–waiting for that next trip. They make great gifts, too.
I would add that wrapping it as Cindy does in your photo has an extra bonus, one that I have used many times – it helps disguise your culture a bit. For me, I like to be pretty incognito when I travel, and there is something very un-American about swaddling yourself in a draped textile. I find that it helps me look a bit less like a tourist!