Come and --laugh at-- advise me on packing handluggae only!

[navyeyelasH]

I'm the sort of person that goes away for 10 days with 11 pair of shoes - I'm just useless at packing and always take far too much!

I'm going to Marrakech over xmas and am going to try and pack hand luggage only. The weather will be a bit hit and miss, might be warm, cold or rainy How the heck am I going to pack for that! I know layers are the answer but I'm naff at layering

Also I'll be walking up a mountain at some point, so is there another way around packing walking shoes, day shoes and night shoes!!?

Please help me clever people

[navyeyelasH]

ps> if it matters I have big boobs, size 10/12, 5ft 2 and I'm 27. I generally only wear scoop/square necks as everything else looks weird.

[lizandlulu]

how long are you going for?

one tip would be to wear your walking coat/boots to go in (would look naff but leaves more room in your case

[navyeyelasH]

Hi lizandlulu, I'm going for 7 nights!! Good thinking - hopefully the weather here will be terrible so I wont sweat my arse off!

I've just bought some compression bags too which should help. I think I'll be doing a lot of posh ish meals out in the evening too - that's more clothes :(

I need some base layers for the day time though - anyone have any ideas? I remember reading on here about some sort of scoop neck top that was designed to keep you warm?

[LetThemEatCake]

I am the wardrobe equivalent of a binge eater. And managed a week in Tuscany in summer with just carry on. Was fine. 2 things didn't even get worn!

Quite enjoyed the challenge, actually

[navyeyelasH]

but it was summer!! I think I could do summer LetThemEatCake. I think I could do rain and I think I could do cold.

I can't do all 3 in one bag

[animula]

I only ever go on holiday with hand-luggage; it's a weird phobia about being separated from my things.

Remember, you only have to get past the check-in. So, first tip, pack some of those cotton bags that come free with magazines, and things. Put them at the top of your case and, once you've "passed" check-in, decant into one of them.

I would wear the heaviest shoes and clothes. So, if you're going to bring a coat, wear it. And I do things like wrap a cardigan around my waist!

I've only been to warm climes, and have no idea about Marrakech at this time of year, but this, off the top of my head, is what I pack:

2 pairs of shoes, with the option of buying a cheap pair of plimsolls that will be destroyed on the beach on holiday/in the airport. "Going out" shoes = ballet flats. Walking shoes = converse. (I'm clearly not as fit as you).

3 x T-shirts, in black and white, 2 of which are long-sleeved (I burn); white, long, Indian-cotton shirt; 2 x dresses (at least one of which can be worn with T-shirt underneath); 1x skirt, 2 x cardigans; 1 x Indian sarong-thing, large, swimsuit, tights, socks.

I make sure everything "goes", indeed, most of it ends up being black!

And then I add more, depending on space. I tend to pack books, too, and children's stuff. You can pack quite a lot in, really.

I roll everything, and do the thing of sticking socks in shoes!

I'm strongly inclined not to post this, because I'm a little worried I sound a bit bonkers!

[navyeyelasH]

Animula - you do sound a bit bonkers to be honest , but lots of good tips there, thanks!

I think I'll need a rain coat just incase of warm weather showers so I've just got a pac a mac thing. I'm also thinking for evening wear 1/2 dresses and then 1 jeans with different smart tops?

[ivykaty44]

wear your walking boots/footwear to travell and wear torusers with a scoop neck and take a sweat top, along with a wind/waterproof jacket.

Two long tops/shirts for eve - legging to go under and sandles - wear twice. Linen trousers that will go with previous two tops. One dress. Flat bally type shoes Thats 5 outfits.

wash bag - soap, gets you through customs, miniture deodarent and mini shmpoo and put in clear bag along with mini toothpaste and desposable toothbrush - as you can then leave all this behind on return journey.

Pack things by rolling them all up these saves plenty of space. Put underwear into shoes to save space in hand luggage.

I travel with two dd's weighing in at under 18kg and in one suitcase for 5 weeks

[HowsTheSerenity]

Remember that it is an Islamic country and to dress appropriately.
Take a pashmina. Doubles as a scarf,.head covering and coat!

[iheartdusty]

compression bags are good, but how will you get things back unless you take a vacuum cleaner with you? (or are there some which compress themselves?)

FWIW my list would be:

Walking trainers like Merrells, for day/mountain
Lightweight breathable waterproof
Lightweight fleece (it can be very cold up mountains and at night, I am told - not been to Marrakech, but Tunisia in spring was v chilly at night)
1 slinky jersey dress for evenings plus necklaces to dress it up (buy there?)
Linen trousers x 2. Forget the jeans - too heavy, useless if they get wet.
Long tops and leggings/ long shorts/ skirt.
Sandals
Buy slinky sandals there for evening if you feel you need to dress up more.

[BranchingOut]

There is a terrific site called onebag.com, it changed my whole philosophy of packing.

[navyeyelasH]

Ohh I'll have a look on there then branching out - thanks!!

Iheartdusty - the compression bags compress themselves - I've been testing them out and they're pretty cool!

Just looking at investing in some good base layes which should help then just tshirt, cardi, big coat incase it is cold - pac a mac if it's not cold but might rain.

I think I might take my timberlands as then I can wear them walking and in the day time, some flip flops and a black pair of heels?