When it comes to packing clothes, it depends on the type of trip & destination, but a few tips cover most situations
Try and colour coordinate outfits before you pack so that you know what goes with what, this will save space & weight as you will be avoiding the ‘I’ll just take this & this….& this…just in case!’ scenario. The less main colours you take the fewer pairs of shoes, bags & accessories you will need.
Layers are the key; I always pack a couple of thin thermal tops (which take up almost no space!) that can be worn under a T shirt or blouse if it gets a bit chilly which can be topped with a thin cardigan for extra warmth if needed.
Packing cubes that can be used fully extended or compressed for more space are an absolute boon! We use various sizes and pack each one with:
• Large cube with trousers & shorts
• Medium cube for tee shirts
• Medium cube with blouses, shirts & tops
• Medium cube with one pair of daytime sandals & one pair of evening footwear
We also have various clear plastic cases for:
• Make up
• Toiletries
• First Aid kit
• Smart Plug & leads
• Jewellery
Using this method nothing will move around in your Luggage, you’ll know where to find everything when you come to unpack, and your clothes will not be creased!
TOILETRIES
Check the hotel website, if they provide complimentary shampoo & shower gel you can save space and weight by leaving yours at home.
If you need to take toiletries with you, decant them into small lightweight bottles,
These silicon bottles come with 4 plastic pots of various sizes – I filled the two larger ones with handcream & moisturiser which last for a whole month in Australia!
We always have a toiletry bag packed containing the following for both of us, all products are travel size:
Shaving oil, razor, & spare blades
Deodorants x 2
Toothpaste
Mouthwash x 2
Small bar of soap
Hair styling product
Travel folding toothbrushes x 2
Dentyl Sticks
Cotton Wool Buds
Hand Cream – decanted into a small pot
Moisturiser – decanted into a small pot
Perfume
Tinted Make Up / Bronzer & retractable brush / lipstick
The bag will last us for 2 weeks and only measures 20cm x 7cm x 15cm, it’s made from clear plastic so that we can see the contents at a glance when it comes to unpacking. If our travels take us away from home for longer than that we simply find a store locally and replenish the bag.
TRAVELLING
We always wear wet / cold weather shoes such as trainers when travelling to our destinations along with a jacket & light jumper which means we have them if needed for inclement weather during our trip but we are not taking up space in our luggage.
HOT TIP
If there are two of you travelling with checked in luggage always split your items and pack half in one case & half in the other, if one case goes missing you will have enough clothes & essentials to last at least the first week!
If we are travelling with checked in luggage, we also pack one piece of cabin luggage with enough items in to last the first 3 days in case the hold luggage is lost or delayed. On long haul trips it also means that you have a change of clothes at hand.
Corkscrew – Invaluable if you want to put your feet up on your balcony / terrace taking in the view with a glass of the local wine! – cannot be carried in hand luggage.
