Whats your 2 week summer holiday packing list / capsule wardrobe?

[sweetheart]

I'm going on holiday in 2 weeks (hooray - sunshine!!!!!!!) and I ALWAYS pack too much for holiday. this year I'll be limited as I'm a stone over my usual weight and will have to see what fits but it would be great to get an idea of how much everyone else takes.

I'm a pear shape so more of a dress girl as crops and shorts look pretty hideous on me - only problem with that is legs rubbing in the heat! I also like to get changed for dinner. We're going AI for the first time this year so liekly ro spend more time in and around the hotel / beech than previous holidays.

[ujjayi]

Watching with interest as I am also a chronic over-packer. Last year was better than most because I finally realised that actually I do want to wear the same dress for more than 1 evening!

In my "fantasy capsule holiday wardrobe" for 2 weeks I would have:

Daytime:
3 beach cover ups
4 bikinis
gold flip flops (accessorize do the best IMO and good value too)
Lightweight cotton sundress for sightseeing or shorts with loose cotton camisole.

Evenings:
4 or 5 dresses that I loved and could be dressed up or down with accessories, including at least one maxi (always feel chic in a maxi)
selection of gold and silver pendants, bracelets and earrings (H&M and Top Shop do the best cheap options)
1 pair gold flat leather sandals
1 pair silver flat leather sandals
1 large scarf/wrap

I have been conducting extensive research and have concluded that in order to not overpack, decide on a colour scheme or theme.

We booked our holiday last week and I have already started mentally compiling my "luxe boho chic" packing list....we don't go until mid-August :o

[ujjayi]

BTW, I realise 3 beach cover ups and 4 bikinis may seem excessive to some but I can't be arsed with washing clothes on holiday and they always seem to get a bit manky with suncream etc.

[higgle]

For one week in Pyrenees and one week at south of France seaside

3 pairs of shorts and 6 T shirts
2 swimsuits
1 maxi dress
6 sun dresses
fitflops, walking sandals, birkies and one pair of normal sandals.
A cardi.

I will probably do a wash before we move onto the second house.

[sweetheart]

yes I'm guessing that capsule is the key thing here. I'm trying to stick to colours along the lines of:-
Navy blue (or other shade of blue) / beige / white as neutral colours
coral / peach / lemon as my accent colours

The trouble is I only realised and started building that this year and so I have to take the shorts I already have - which don't fit in with the colour scheme that well!

I agree that accessories can be extreamly versatile on holiday so usually take a bag full.

I struggle with shoes - I always seem to want to take too many pairs and they can be heavy - especially wedges! I'm going to HAVE to limit myself to 1 pair this year!

[Meggles76]

I am the queen of travelling light
Helps that am only 5ft and size 8 so my clothes are small
Agree that you should stick to a colour palette. This year am going with navy, cream, beige, olive, white... An accent colour of jade green.
I will be taking following for 2 weeks in France:
1 black swimsuit
1 black bikini
1 white boyfriend style shirt to use as daytime cover up
1 pair denim shorts
5 vests in white, navy, nude, olive and jade
1 black maxi dress that can also be worn as a skirt
1 pair white linen trousers
1 pair olive slim fit trousers
1 pair blue slim fit jeans
1 navy stripe breton
1 pretty cotton blouse
1 jade boyfriend style cardigan
1pair pumps
1 pair flat sandals
1 pair wedges
Straw trilby sun hat
sunglasses
beach bag
leather across body bag with detachable strap that can be used as a clutch for evening

[sweetheart]

Meggles - wow that IS light packing for 2 weeks!!!! 7 tops, 4 bottoms and 1 dress - hmmmm let's see, with 2 lots of clothes a day (daytime and evening) that would last me about half a week!

[madammecholet]

Packing light....?? Sorry you've lost me

2 weeks in Italy this summer:

3 x shorts
3 x Cropped trousers (bright red/navy/black)
2 x day dresses (which also make evening dresses)
5 x basic silk t shirts (coral/yellow/navy/2 black)
1 x navy broderie navy shell top
3 x lace trim vests
1 x silk blouse with balloon sleeves
1 x thin navy jumper
1 x breton t
4 x tankinis
2 x beach dresses /cover ups
4 x large scarves (used as beach coverup, evening pashminas, scarfs)
2 x ballerinas (rose gold / leopard print)
1 x gold diamente flip flops (can be worn on beach or at night)
1 x tan leather heel wedges
1 x mini across body handbag
1 x leather beach tote
1 x leather slouchy handbag
tonnes of accessories / jewellery
tonnes of books Fifty Shades Trilogy
Tom ford sunnies

[sweetheart]

wow, ok that looks like a long list but when you work it out it's really only 12 tops, 6 bottoms and 4 dresses which would probably last me.......... ohhh just over 1 week. trouble is every day on holiday I wear 2 outfits and usually get too hot and sweaty to wear things more than twice. That means taking 14 outfits.

[littlecupcake]

Have a look on the House of Colour website - there's a video on there about packing a capsule wardrobe for a holiday, and it shows you all the outfits that can be made with the clothes and accessories. Not all to my taste, but it gives a good idea of the basics.

[mirpuppet]

Thanks littlecupcake -- interesting to watch but very samey (and not to my taste either).

Anyone see a video like that but with dresses? I love a summer dress for warm weather holidays. Shorts do not work for me (and her skirts & high heel shoes were so un holiday to me).

[ENormaSnob]

Shit, you lot do pack light.

I take...

14 bikinis
4 kaftans
4 shorts
7 day vests
5/6 day dresses
3 pairs daytime flip flops
3 pairs flat leather evening sandals
1 wedges
3 maxi dresses - for day or eve
7 dresses for evenings
2 skirts
Palazzo pants
3/4 evening tops
Numerous accessories

[ChippyMinton]

14 bikinis

[ENormaSnob]

I know

I just love them and have about 35

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

For a week, I will be taking something along the lines of:

2 bikinis - one black, one blue patterned
2 sarongs to mix and match with the above (just for going to and from the pool)
2 beach dress things - one navy and one other (I haven't got the 'other' yet but I'd like it to be white, ideally, or a pattern)
2 pairs of shorts - one navy / one black - to be worn to the beach with the bikinis and a cami
Camisoles - white, navy and white, black, black and white
1 day dress - black (for sightseeing trips)
3 dresses or skirt/cami combos for the evening
Wedges
Flat sandals

Will wear a maxi dress and the wedges to travel in and then will wear the maxi dress on at least one evening.

[DonaAna]

Travel a lot, live in Italy. Maxi dresses and linen trews are only worn by British tourists in these parts. It's very hot, 30+, forecast for next week 35+, so...

2 bikinis
one beach kaftan
5 T shirts / vests
one or two sundresses
one pair of shorts
underwear, one set per day plus a few extras
trainers, trainer socks
flipflops (assuming it's a beach)
makeup, sunscreen
assorted jewellery / bangles / sunglasses

Wear ballerinas, jeans, vest, blazer on the plane.

Need anything else - buy it there...

[ujjayi]

Agree with DonaAna regarding linen trousers. Wanting to wear trousers of any kind when it is hot is a mystery to me.

However, I think maxis of light cotton voile or similar are a lovely thing to wear on a sultry evening. I do accept that this may be more to do with my tendency towards swollen ankles in the heat though (my, don't I sound attractive!!)

Am in awe of your packing list - is that for one week or two?

sweetheart - are you any closer to the definitive packing list yet?

I think the common mistake that many British women make is to make too much of an effort in the evenings. A more casual understated approach to evenings is definitely way more chic (and comfortable) than tottering around with "heels and a hair-do" :o

[DonaAna]

Two weeks. I try to pack everything into a backpack and save an hour at the airport. Will start a 1.5 month trip on Saturday, will try to fit everything into a cabin trolley.

Sales are now on in Italy as well... often if you bring loads of stuff from back home you won't wear all of it anyway. Styles from back home are never right, you buy something new onsite. And it's very hot.

I still fail to see the point of maxi dresses. See them a lot on lobster-red tourists who wear them with sunhats and jewelled sandals - in the city. They are not hiding anything, they are accentuating that you are trying to hide something.

Italians are very dressy in a way, but the emphasis is on good materials. A simple knee-length dress, sandals, a bag, and voila you're done for the evening.

[sweetheart]

Nope I'm no closer but I haven't really had time to get all my stuff out yet and go through. My main trouble is I don't want to go out and buy all new stuff but the things I do have are a variety of colours so won't be capsule.

I also don't really suit summer clothes. Shorts very rarely suit me, I'm more of a dress girl and I do agree that although I always want to glam up on holiday evenings in reality it's totally impractical so I really must try and remember that when packing - although I did just buy a lovely pair of coral wedges just for summer and so fe had no chance o wear them here in his rubbish weather!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I couldn't arrive in a hot country wearing jeans - it would kill me! That's why I like to travel in a maxi - it keeps my knees warm on the plane but is loose and light when I arrive. :)

Went to try and buy a beach dress and a bikini today and failed miserably - the shops were just full of sales tat.

[Earthymama]

I am reeling at the idea of all those bikinis!

I am taking
Day
2 bikinis, 1 tankini all black
short sarong black
short skirt for beach
wrapround skirt for walks etc
2 vests
Teva walking sandals
Dr Marten white sandals
Hat
Pip beach bag

Evening
Orange long linen skirt
Cream long linen skirt
Orange linen sleeveless tunic/dress
Cream linen sleeveless tunic/dress
Cream linen trousers
White linen trousers
Tan Drop crotch harem Trousers (Don't laugh, I love them!)
3 long vests
Cardi
Dr Marten rust sandals

Over the body bag

2 bras
7 pairs new knickers

Various earrings, couple of scarves

As you can probably tell I have quite a Hippy style so I find layering tunics or long vests or tunics over skirts or trousers gives me the sort of look I love.

in my defense re all the linen my favourite shop in the village where we are staying is full of gorgeous linen and I might have to treat myself!!

I am not averse to washing out my clothes if necessary.

In the past I found I wear the same things constantly so have been ruthless this year. In fact, writing this down I might cut back further. Though I love my summer clothes and have hardly worn them in all this rain.

I cannot wait to get there!

[Sonotkylie]

Am going to Cornwall. Capsule wardrobe impossible ... Started reading this thread as a fantasy. Now I could weep at the idea of people wearing summer clothes AND LIMITING THEMSELVES

[ellesabe]

Packing light??

All of your lists are bigger than the contents of my entire summer wardrobe

Must go shopping

[SorrelForbes]

I can't believe how much some of you take! It's more than my whole wardrobe .

I've just got back from an eleven day break (but this list would be pretty much the same for two or three weeks) and I took:

1 bikini
2 pairs of casual shorts
1 pair of slightly smarter shorts
1 pair of lightweight Capri pants
1 halter neck top
4 casual t-shirts
2 slouchy, cotton tops for evening
1 knee length cotton dress
3 bras
6 pairs of knickers
1 cotton cardigan
1 pair of microfibre pajamas
1 pair of flip flops
1 pair of leather sandals
2 necklaces
2 bracelets

I travelled in:
Cotton Capri pants
Ballet flats
Slouchy top
Velour hoody/cardigan thing!

I only ever take carry on luggage. I never check bags.