To ask how on earth people pack light?!

So wear the dressing gown the hotel provides.

Can you post a list of what you are currently planning to take so we have help you cut it down? I am finding it hard to imagine how with BA’s generous cabin baggage allowance and you only going for 4 days that you are struggling to make this work. Not criticising you at all, just wondering what you are planning to take that is taking up all the room in your suitcase.

Each to their own then but I do makeup and dry my hair first (not exactly sitting around!), getting dressed is the last thing I do.

Well yes… anyone can pack light if they don’t care too much about style. Saying to someone who is very obviously into clothes / style “ just don’t wear make up and let your hair dry naturally and why not get some walking trousers that zip off at the knee” isn’t really going to cut it. I can pack on hand luggage ok but I have to spend time working it out. Im going to Italy on hand luggage in a month but I’m already planning the clothes on Stylebook. I see it as a style challenge rather than a deprivation. It sounds like your days will be long so something comfortable for wearing with the shirts . ( shorts / trousers ) What’s happening in the evening? Out for dinner or something else? I’d probably pick items that consistently feel nice to wear. I have a T shirt dress from Cos and some Teva sandals that are so comfortable and I love so I’d would happily wear them all the time. Those are my must haves so I’d probably start from there. I have short hair and I need straighteners but I have mini ones. If you have long hair and you feel nice with it tied back do that - it’s chic. I don’t need much make up - My must haves are concealer, mascara and a lip colour. I’ve got some products from Nudistix & a small palette from Jones Road but lots of products do double duty. If it’s hot a light fragrance is nice — a tester or small bottle - Stories do little perfume oils with a roller but I did buy a collection of small spray bottles from Amazon that are useful for liquids. I don’t wear tons of jewellery usually so it’s a nice to have for me not a must have. Sunglasses make a big difference for me so I’d say a pair is a must have. Practical bag is a must have but you only need one. Jacket is a must have but can be worn for the flight. ( choose one with pockets). Hat may be a must have or nice to have depending on the weather forecast but again wear it there. Underwear…. Well obviously only you know if that’s a must have. I’d take a tiny nightie or sleep in the buff. Really your main style decisions will be evening time and that comes down to how creative you can be with the smallest amount of items.

Pay for an extra bag, it's a lot less stressful, and you can do it any time.

Wear jeans, day shoes, socks, shirt, light scarf, light jacket. Carry a small handbag suitable for evenings.

Pack 2 sets underpants, 2 pairs socks, 2 shirts, 2 team shirts, one block colour wrap skirt, one scarf, one lightweight convertible evening dress, one pair shorts, bathers, any medication, one lipstick, one combined mini concealer/foundation, travel sized skin product (decant into 10 ml container if necessary), one pair evening shoes, phone, passport, charger cable, lightweight folding hat.

Drop by a chemist as soon as you get to your destination and get some paracetamol, san pro and travel sized toiletries (incl hair products, mouthwash, soap, comb or travel brush, tiny toothpaste, toothbrush, skin cream, deodorant, sunscreen), buy plastic poncho if it rains, do not take hair dryer/curler/books/perfume/bulk makeup/bulk skincare or large bottles of hair products.

If there longer than 2 days, pack 3 laundry sheets. If no laundry in Airbnb, then find laundromat and wash and dry every third day - pop into a nearby cafe if you can and have coffee while the laundry runs.

You'll have to make some sacrifices, you can't take everything you'll want. But reassure yourself that if you forget something essential, you can always buy it at your destination and, if necessary, buy another suitcase at the airport on the way home for your extra things.

Here for the tips. I’m a very light packer but I am extremely low maintenance and find the hassle of carrying around extra stuff and needing to sort it out when I get back home worse than putting up with not having everything with me.

• Always book somewhere with a washing machine where possible and only wash things when they are dirty
• Use hairdryer and toiletries supplied
• Simplify skincare just for the short time you are away, you can go back to lots of products when you get home
• Instead of pjs take loungewear or gym wear as this is more versatile
• Fold things in the shape of the spaces in your bag - there’s often a column taken up by the pull handle that you can fill in.
• Have a smaller bag ready with just the things you need for the flight. Squash it in your bag to get on the flight and take it out when boarded.
• A scarf or something like that has many uses.

I use packing cubes, but I think I don't have the most compressive ones - I just bought random ones from Amazon.

What are people's tips for best brands?

As for Grand Prix packing: wear trainers, jeans & T-shirt to travel both ways, plus carry jacket.

Then pack
2 team shirts (but, really??? )
4 pairs of pants
3 pairs of socks
basic toiletries
pyjamas
Dress for evening
second pair of shoes - get a pair that pack very flat.

That'll go in an EasyJet carry on easily.

I packed for 2 weeks for in Santa Cruz in an EasyJet carry-on size suitcase & I was working so needed relatively formal looking clothes and shoes.

Went to Florida for two weeks, took 7 dresses and two pairs of sandals. Wore warm stuff and trainers to travel in.

Let hair dry naturally and ditch the hairdryer, ditch makeup entirely - no one actually needs it! Ditto jewellery, although it won't save space really. No need for perfume - no one can tell!
I know, I know, everyone will jump on to say how awful their hair/skin is and how they cannot live without hairdryer/straighteners/foundation, but it's honestly the only way to pack light.

I'm in Italy for two weeks on a 10kg checked bag. Now, it's boiling, so the clothes are less bulky than winter clothes, but I have a pair of shorts, a pair of linen culottes and a pair of wide legged trousers, five linen tops, underwear, a swimsuit, one tiny sports towel in case of doing water sports (behave), a pair of trainers (wore on plane) and one pair of comfy sandals. Two bras, one to wear, one to wash. No toiletries other than my own toothbrush and suncream I like, oh, and hayfever tablets (took sleeve of pills out of box) - they have everything in supermarkets and often enough left in various apartments we are renting. Have not had to buy shampoo, soap or conditioner yet! Did buy deodorant and toothpaste though. Plug adapters x 2 with multiple USB ports, so just charging cables not the plugs.

Only item I haven't yet used is a light shawl, which I will need in Rome in case we visit churches and I have bare shoulders. Also useful on trains/plane if air con is fierce.

PJs can be nothing (best) or pants/t shirt from the day, if needed.

Also helps that we are not ones for big nights out - often we cook/eat cold food from supermarket in our apartment. Not a beach holiday, so one swimsuit is plenty.

I am bazonked by people that take hair tools and robes when 'traveling light'.

I frequently do three/four night trips.

A dress that I will wear with a blazer and casual shoes to travel.

Another pair of shoes to glam it up a bit.

5 pairs of knickers.

Depending on where I'm going ONE alternative outfit, it's completely destination dependent.

A smaller handbag/ clutch.

Another pair of shoes that go with all outfit combos.

Small makeup and skincare pouch.

Electric toothbrush.

Charger/adapter.

Passport.

One payment card.

Phone.

Scent minis.

Belf/scarf.

Swimwear if needed.

That's all one needs.

Really!

Packing cubes, roll everything, travel.sized toiletries (or buy there and leave behind)...or if you really can't then see if you can add hold luggage to.your booking now.

But many people don't want to spend time on holiday doing laundry or shopping for things they already have at home, especially if they end up with something that is not their preferred brand, expensive for what it is or they can't bring home with them so is likely wasted.

This is a Sporting event, not a fashion week. You will have to get there early (crowds), you will struggle to leave in the evening (crowds). Unless you are in the paddock club (which I assume you’re not, because then you wouldn’t be traveling g lowcoster with no luggage), just don’t bother. I did Silverstone with a weekender bag/holdall, it is completely possible.

I'm the queen of light packing. I'm going on holiday today for a week and taking a small rucksack. Take a dress (a whole outfit in one), a pair of shorts and a t shirt, a vest and some leggings. Then hand wash mid way though the trip if needed. Wear all of this except the shorts on the plane. One pair of shoes and some flip flops if hot. Swimming costume. No towel. Tiny shampoo and toothpaste.

Yes, anything more than two weeks and you'll need to wash your clothes and maybe even buy more toiletries so really you only need 7 outfits (realistically even less)

Compression cubes must be magic to get all that into an underseat bag.

It's not something I've ever considered before - I do have packing cubes/bags and recently managed a 3 day city break with just a rucksack and all my clothes were zipped into a packing cube then I had sandals, kindle, mini toiletries, water bottle, chargers etc in my bag too, but that's next level. Must investigate. Did you also have one of the 'special' bags that's exactly the right size to maximise packing space @fiddleleaffig ?

I wouldn't class myself as low maintenance but I am a minimal packer as I hate waiting for hold luggage on the carousel. I'm going away to Italy next week for 7 nights on underseat luggage only (easyJet) and my pickling list is:

Airplane outfit - leggings, t shirt, hoody, trainers
3 pairs of shorts - 2 chino, 1 denim
10 tops - 8 basic vests, 2 short kimonos
1 dress
2 bikinis, 1 swimsuit
2 pairs pjs
3 bras, 7 knickers
1 haman beach towel and 1 hair wrap towel
1 handbag (Uniqlo crossbody)
2 pairs of sandals - salt waters and flip flops
1 book
Straighteners
Then iPad, phone, chargers, minimal make up (tinted moisturiser, eyebrow pencil and lippy - I have lash extensions so no need for mascara), deodorant stick, travel skincare etc.

Lightweight clothing, rolled into compression cubes and it all fits easily. I also buy shampoo, shower gel etc when out there.

Lots of good advice on here, and without sounding like a dick or an obsessive I did 6 weeks in Souh East Asia with hand-baggage only aged 57 (so not a backpacker so to speak) The main problems are shoes and tech, and then your desire (or otherwise) to wash things - I recycled the same 3 knickers and socks for 6 weeks, shower and deoderant before clothes, no-one (other than you) cares if you are in the same clothes. The joy of just lifting your little backpack and walking out of multiple airports whilst others are waiting in the baggage reclaim is brilliant. It takes discipline but can be done. Strangely, I think it is harder to go for 4 nights than 6 weeks. You know when you have 6 weeks you have to do it. "stuff" is available nearly everywhere. Most airports have a "boots" type place. Good luck xx

How much stuff do you need? Do you have travel pots? Can you share things like shower gel, toothpaste and deodorant, maybe buy just one of each to share while you're there? Or use some solid products?

I usually have shampoo, conditioner, face wash, deodorant, moisturiser, hair spray and mousse, toothpaste, nail treatment (I have crap nails so use a daily keratin while I work on breaking a decades long biting habit) and a small suncream if it's only a few days and not a beach holiday and it all goes in the plastic bag (just).

If there's space in your travelling companions liquid bag you can put some of your stuff in there.

Buy tampons when you get there, also basic toiletries like deodorant. Pack.minimum make up, your own moisturiser.

And one nightie or pajamas.

Depends on how long you're staying, but even so, you can usually find a laundromat.

Assuming a week at most and weather neither very hot nor very cold:

You need to narrow down colours.

Black /white /neutral T-shirts, maybe one long or 3/4 sleeved - 3 max if you're spending a week, fewer if it's a shorter trip.
One pair of jeans, which you will wear on the plane.
Or one light, loose trousers, depending on what you like to wear and also the predicted weather.
One T-shirt and jacket (see westher) in a neutral colour, black, or white, or denim, to wear on the plane.
One dress, especially one you could wear out and about daily and then add belt, necklace, bracelet, or whatever, for evening.
One pair of shorts - denim, white, neutral.
Underwear to last a week, plus one.
Socks for a week.
Sandals or flats for packing; wear heavier footwear that you're planning to wear every day on the plane (trainers, etc).

Oh and i have the uniqlo bag for my passport and phone for whilst I'm away.

www.uniqlo.com/eu/en/product/round-mini-shoulder-bag-corduroy-472049.html?dwvar_472049_size=SIZ999&cgid=IDw-accessories-shoes

I was a terrible over packer and couldn't travel light at all and I'm pretty low maintenance. Two things have changed this for me....

This bag is great for being able to fit a lot in, including a laptop

Cabin Max Manhattan Travel Bag |... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BNNVFVQQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And in tandem with packing cubes which really organise and reduce the size of everything.. I've got these from Mountain warehouse. I bought them twice though as the smallest size in the item is really useful and having two lots of those is handy. I put underwear,.pjs, other bits and bons in the small one and proper clothes in the medium sized one.

I then have a clear toiletries bag for that stuff but separate out non liquid make up and whatnot into another bag.

www.mountainwarehouse.com/es/travel-organiser-set-of-3-p16289.aspx/Gris%20Intenso/?srsltid=AfmBOoquyxuPrkX3ijX-vnM3DL0wIgMxkYXHDMtELqjHg0WnVm1ts1b3S-U