How to Pack Light When You’re The Girl Who Needs Everything
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Confession time! I am the ultimate over-packer. It is my greatest traveller flaw. I need all the clothes, all the shoes, all the toiletries – what girl doesn’t? However, since I’ve started travelling more frequently on short breaks, and without a handy man to lug heavy suitcases around, the time has come for me to PACK LIGHT. DUM DUM DUUUM.If I can do it anyone can! Here are my tips on how to pack light even when you’re a serial over-packer.
Pack Your Faves
- You know, the good old faithfuls you reach for every time. Pack those. Packing light demands confidence in your outfits, especially if you get to your hotel and there’s no full length mirror!
- Do not be tempted to splurge on loads of new holiday clothes right before you go (I know it’s hard) because you will want to take ALL of them. Again, you might not be as confident in new outfits or in what goes with what!
Choose Your Outfits Wisely
- Make sure they all match the same one or two pairs of shoes. That way you can travel in one pair and only have one to pack. Ditto bags!
- Do not stubbornly take the shoes you know always hurt your feet. You know the ones: so pretty but sooo painful. They’re either wasted space or future blisters. If you know you’re going to be walking a lot leave the heels at home.
- Travel in the same outfit there and back, perhaps with a change of top. And of course, travel in your bulkiest clothes (without looking like Joey wearing all of Chandlers clothes!)
How to pack light on toiletries
- If you’re only taking a cabin bag you have to fit all your liquids into one clear plastic bag. NIGHTMARE! I very nearly had a meltdown over this – do they actually expect people to fit ALL their toiletries into ONE TEENY BAG?! You don’t realise how many toiletries you use on a daily basis until you start making a list which gets longer, and longer… until mild panic sets in.
- Don’t panic (much).
- You can go to your local supermarket or hit up Amazon and buy 50ml clear bottles and transfer your liquids into them. Amazon has various sets with lotion bottles, spray bottles, small tubs, funnels, all sorts!
- The small tubs are especially handy for anything you just need a few dabs of. And it’s definitely worth transferring your perfume into the smallest atomiser spray bottle possible! You don’t need much – I opted for 30ml.
- Make sure to get a bottle set with the volume printed on the bottles – some airports demand this.
I got three different sets from Amazon and used some from each to suit my needs – note that only one of the sets has the volume printed on the bottles so use the others with caution!
- Finally, if like me you need ALL the toiletries do not fear! The last resort is to buy some of your liquids at the airport after security. Anything that doesn’t transfer easily like hairspray and deodorant would be worth buying. Certainly sun cream would be easy to find!
- Make sure you have your favourite branded products if you’re picky and anything like contact lense solution which isn’t easy to purchase. Other than that Boots should cover most of your holiday needs!
- Also check what your hotel room offers: you’re usually guaranteed a hairdryer and set of shower gel, soap etc. No point doubling up!
Related Post…
What to Wear in Paris in September: The Perfect Capsule Wardrobe
Do Your Laundry
If you’re going away for longer than just a short break you can still pack light! The easiest thing to do is to get a travel washing line, some travel wash and roll your sleeves up!
For example a 10 day island hopping trip in Greece would definitely call for this! You don’t want to be lugging a heavy suitcase on and off ferries all the time!
Do a Practice Pack
- It might seem over-zealous but it will ease your mind considerably! A couple of weeks before you travel, pack, weigh and measure your case.
- Now you can relax and even throw in a sneaky extra outfit if you have room to spare (cautiously!)
- Write down a list of everything you packed so there’s no nasty surprises when you pack for real. There will always be something you’ll have forgotten!
The rule above all is – plan, plan, plan, in advance!
Sighing at the price of checked luggage? Tired of lugging heavy suitcases around? Give my packing light tips a go, you won’t look back!
More Packing & Planning Tips…
The Ultimate Summer Holiday Capsule Wardrobe
How to Plan the Perfect Solo Trip
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