What to Pack for a Girls’ Weekend Away: The Ultimate Checklist
There’s something about a girls’ weekend that just hits differently.
No school runs. No work emails. No rushing out the door. Just your favourite girls, good food, a few drinks, plenty of laughs and if you’re lucky absolutely nowhere you need to be the next morning.
Whether you’re heading to Margaret River for a wine weekend, booking a coastal Airbnb, planning a birthday getaway or escaping for a much-needed weekend with your best friends, packing the right things can make all the difference.
So, what do you actually need?
Here’s our ultimate girls’ weekend away packing checklist.
1. Cute Pyjamas - Obviously
We may be slightly biased, but matching or beautiful pyjamas deserve a place at the top of the list.
Girls’ weekends tend to involve a lot more time in PJs than you expect. Morning coffees, getting ready together, late-night chats, takeaway on the couch and that inevitable group photo before bed.
Choose sleepwear that feels comfortable enough to actually sleep in but cute enough that you’re happy to be photographed in it.
For an extra-special weekend, statement feather pyjamas are perfect for birthdays, hens weekends and celebrations, while breathable cotton or bamboo PJs are ideal for a relaxed weekend away.
Vow tip: If you're travelling with a group, choose the same style in different colours rather than making everyone wear exactly the same thing. It looks gorgeous in photos while still letting everyone feel like themselves.
Pictured - The Vow Sleepwear Lola Pyjamas
2. One Great Going-Out Outfit
Don't pack your entire wardrobe.
Pick one outfit you know you feel amazing in and build around it.
Think a favourite dress, jeans with a beautiful top or something a little more elevated if you have dinner or cocktails booked.
Add a jacket or blazer that works with everything and you've already eliminated half the “but what if I need this?” items taking over your suitcase.
3. Comfortable Daytime Clothes
Girls' weekends aren't all champagne and dinner reservations.
There may be markets, coffee runs, winery lunches, beach walks or wandering around town the morning after the night before.
Pack an easy daytime outfit you can throw on without thinking - linen pants, a relaxed shirt, denim, a simple dress or your favourite activewear.
Comfort wins.
Pictured - Dissh Orson Blue Stripe Shirt
4. Shoes You’ll Actually Wear
We all know how this goes.
You pack four pairs of shoes and wear the same pair all weekend.
Keep it simple:
- Comfortable sneakers or sandals
- One pair for going out
- Slippers for around your accommodation
Your suitcase and your feet - will thank you.
Pictured - Billini Beatriz Chocolate
5. Your Beauty Bag
You don't need your entire bathroom cabinet, but there are a few essentials worth remembering.
Pack your everyday skincare, moisturiser, SPF, makeup, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush and whatever hair tools you genuinely use.
And don't forget the little things that always seem to disappear on girls' weekends: hair ties, bobby pins and dry shampoo.
If you're sharing accommodation, check with the group before everyone packs a hairdryer, straightener and curling wand.
Pictured - Louis Vuitton Cosmetic Bag
6. The Little Luxuries
This is where a weekend away starts to feel like an actual escape.
Pack a beautiful sleep mask, fluffy socks, your favourite lip balm, a book you probably won't read and whatever else makes slowing down feel that little bit more luxurious.
A silk eye mask is especially handy if you're sharing a room with the friend who believes opening every curtain at 6:30am is acceptable behaviour.
Pictured - The Vow Sleepwear Mulberry Silk Eyemask
7. Swimwear
Even if swimming isn't technically on the itinerary, throw your bathers in.
Hotel pool? Spa? Beach stop? Hot tub at the Airbnb?
You'll be very annoyed if everyone else remembered theirs.
Add a cover-up and you're sorted.
Pictured - Bydee Amalfi One Piece
8. A Small Bag for the Day
Leave the giant handbag at home.
A crossbody or small shoulder bag is usually all you need for your phone, cards, keys, lipstick and sunglasses.
Bonus points if it works with both your daytime and evening outfits.
Pictured - Deadly Ponies Mr Penny Pouchette
9. Snacks + Drinks
Arguably one of the most important parts of the trip.
If you're staying somewhere self-contained, organise who is bringing what before you leave. Breakfast supplies, cheese, crackers, chocolate, coffee and something bubbly are a very good place to start.
And always bring more snacks than you think you'll need.
Always.
Pictured - Funday Sugar Free Lollies
10. A Portable Charger
Not glamorous. Extremely important.
Between photos, videos, maps, restaurant bookings and the group chat going into overdrive, someone's phone will inevitably hit 3%.
Don't let it be yours.
11. A Playlist
Every girls' trip needs one.
Create a shared playlist before you leave and let everyone add their favourites.
The combination of nostalgic songs you haven't heard since 2007 and questionable current favourites is basically guaranteed.
12. Leave a Little Space in Your Suitcase
Especially if you're heading somewhere with boutiques, wineries or local markets.
You will buy something.
Don't pretend you won't.
Girls’ Weekend Away Packing Checklist
Before you zip up your bag, check you've got:
✓ Pyjamas
✓ Going-out outfit
✓ Comfortable daytime clothes
✓ Underwear + socks
✓ Shoes
✓ Slippers
✓ Swimwear
✓ Toiletries + skincare
✓ Makeup
✓ Hair products + tools
✓ SPF
✓ Sunglasses
✓ Small handbag
✓ Sleep mask
✓ Phone charger
✓ Portable charger
✓ Snacks + drinks
✓ Water bottle
✓ Any medications
✓ And a little extra room for whatever comes home with you
The Most Important Thing to Pack?
Your favourite people.
Girls' weekends don't have to be extravagant to be memorable. Sometimes the best ones are simply a beautiful place to stay, something nice to eat, matching PJs and hours spent talking about absolutely everything and nothing.
At The Vow Sleepwear, we're big believers that the getting-ready moments, slow mornings and late-night chats are often the best parts of the weekend.
So pack the PJs. Pour the bubbles. Take far too many photos.
And book the girls' weekend you've all been talking about for the last six months.