To ask how on earth people pack light?!

Well I can do 2.5 weeks on ryanair's (paid) hand luggage - so a 10kg case and a personal bag. I think I could manage 4 days even without a capsule wardrobe.

When I was away for 2.5 weeks I took 5 dresses, 1x shorts, 1x trousers, 1x raincoat, 1x jumper, 1x leggings, 4x tops, 1x sandals, 1x converse, wore walking trainers, 1x swimming cozzie, 1x microfibre towel, 2x nighties, 14x socks and pants, plus all toiletries other than a 200ml sun cream I bought at the airport.

So for 4 nights I would take:

1x nightie, maybe 2 if I didn't have aircon
2x shorts + team shirts for the two days there,
2x dresses/evening outfits for those days, to be reworn as day outfits on 2 other days.
1x outfit to go out there, including a jumper if you want one.
Wear whatever trainers you'll want for the Grand Prix days.
Take another single pair of shoes.
Pack a single pair of trousers or some leggings to wear if it's cold.
Spare t shirt/dress for safe keeping.

Done.

That will easily fit in a small carry on suitcase.

Liquids and anything with a battery go in your personal bag so you don't have to unpack the suitcase at security.

I'm the queen of packing light!

I worked away for many years, flying out each Monday morning and returning Thursday night. I only ever took hand luggage, and it included my laptop and (bulky) charger!

The way I did it was through very careful planning and only taking the shoes/boots I was wearing.
I took 1 spare pair of trousers and alternated them with the ones I wore on the Monday, and 3 spare shirts. Slept in the buff and used hotel toiletries along with the tiny travel items I took with me.

I'm generally very low maintenance, and see travelling light as a personal challenge 😁

You pack WHAT?
Sorry, not meaning to be rude but my flabbergasted is ghasted that you would take all that stuff.
I suspect I am low maintenance (although always insist on taking conditioner because I have crappy fluffy hair)

BA allow 23kg per person on hand luggage!!!

I take a 40 litre backpack weighing 10kg for a months trip. Use packing cubes and roll stuff in them. Can manage 3 shorts, 4 lightweight trousers, 7 tops underwear etc along with my tablet and chargers.

I'm the same

I love my clothes and toiletries
I find things get sweaty

I did wash stuff out at hotel but mainly undies and swimwear

I didn't need any cardis or jumpers

I have this cabin bag and it fits a lot in using compression cubes. I've gone away for 10 days with it. If you and your travel partner each have a cabin bag, that's actually a lot of room. Agree with what's already been said, buy toiletries at the airport.

If you are away for 4 days, then 4 t-shirts/tops; 2 pairs of shorts; wear a pair of trousers/leggings on the plane; underwear; socks; a dress & cardigan; and pyjamas. Even if you are taking hair straighteners etc that would all fit comfortably.

Airbnb? Is it an apartment, with a washing machine, and you could wash everything as you go?

Generally pack... remove the 5 books DD1 has added in for an overnight stay... close case.... open case and remove the 5 books, plus one extra for when I finish them that DD1 has now re-added... repeat until the will to live is lost.

Learning to pack light now means when you have kids, it will be easier to travel with them. Babies need so much stuff that if you're used to also freely packing clothes "just in case" for yourself, you'll end up with so much luggage it will put you off massively.

@DeeDeesfabulouswardrobe my DH would disagree with me being low maintenance haha. The key is to take a hair product that does multiple things and only a wand or straightener. Hotel will have hair dryer. No way would i sacrifice suitcase space for slippers and dressing gown, who needs that?? That's space for at least 2 dresses and a pair of sandals.

I love travelling and having hand luggage means getting out of the airport super fast and no danger of anything getting lost. If you go to Gran Canaria for 2 weeks, fine, it doesn't matter. But if you're travelling to Argentina or Japan, taking flights or trains to a new place every 3-4 days, having shit you don't need will really have a negative impact on your enjoyment of the holiday.

I plan what I'm going to wear and take only that. I've never understood taking several extra outfits.

For 4 nights I’d probably chuck 5 or 6 dresses in a bag, some underwear, 1-2 cardigans depending on the weather forecast, phone charger, toothbrush, a few mini toiletries if I had them (otherwise buy toiletries when I’m there). AirBnBs often provide shower gel and shampoo, but obviously mini ones (the only ones you’re allowed in hand luggage) don’t take much space anyway. I’d usually only take the sandals that I’m already wearing on the plane, but should be space for a 2nd pair if I fancied a change. Summer dresses are usually pretty light so maybe I’m “lucky” that that’s what I wear anyway.

I've just done a six-day break with a Ryanair "small bag" (aka bloody tiny). My two tips:

1. Take a jacket with pockets
2. Change for the evening when it's cooler, then use that outfit for the following day's daywear. Repeat this step each day.

I am a very light packer and also get a lot of compliments on my outfits on holiday/photos. The key is to be brutal and very rational with your outfit choices.

Pick clothes that can be worn to multiple occasions. Don't take a dress because it's your favourite if it can only be worn once to one thing. And even if it's your favourite dress, does it photograph well? Shoes, again, only pick shoes that are comfortable and versatile. Jewellery - pick a couple of earrings and a bracelet that goes with everything. Jacket - one jacket only, which you wear in the airport, and which goes with both dresses and casual wear.

Really really try on every single piece of clothing and think "will I wear this and how does this look in photos?

We went to Japan for 3 weeks in spring (very changeable weather! Hot, super cold, windy, rainy, then hot again) with hand luggage only.

Can you not just log in and book extra luggage?

I only ever take hand luggage only no matter where I'm going or for how long. I've had too many lost luggage instances in the past to want to risk it and you really don't need that much stuff.

Underwear, pyjamas, 1 x sandals/evening shoes (if necessary - sometimes not and I just have the trainers I wear on the plane), bikini (if relevant), a jersey dress that can be dressed up and down, t shirts, lightweight rain jacket that folds into its own little bag, chargers - job done. I wear jeans, lightweight jumper and jacket (if necessary - depends on location/time of year) on the plane, along with a handbag/rucksack that can be used as an everyday bag that has my toiletries and book in it. I never travel with a hairdryer or straighteners - airbnbs have hairdryers, hotels will have both if you ask.

I don't dress up on holiday or try and look like a fashionista. I wear plain, comfy clothing that I can mix and match. I don't dress up for dinner at home so I'm certainly not going to do that abroad. A plain black sleeveless jersey dress, hair in a bun with gold earrings and flat sandals that take up no space in my case is as dressy as it gets for me!

Yeah I know but trousers and skirts can do double duty. Carefully picked shoes are adaptable. Etc.

"Why can't you build your capsule around the shirts?"

TBH I can understand not wanting to go out for a nice dinner wearing a bright orange McLaren team shirt (DSs team of choice. Other teams are available;))

It's the grand prix not a fashion parade.

Wear trousers, jersey/hoodie/waterproof and trainers outward and inward.

1 spare lightweight trousers
4 t shirts
2 casual dresses
Gauzy wrap scarf thing
4 pairs pants
Clean bra
Nightie
Pair sandals or ballerinas
4 x socks
Travel size toiletries
M&S are doing travel packs of skincare or just take a pot of nivea.
Foundation, concealer, pressed powder, Mascara, lippy.

There will be shops

For me, the problem is always toiletries. The sooner they sort out the new scanners, the better!

You have to be disciplined and ruthless. For example, you dont 'need' 2 dresses, just take one.

As others have said, wear the bulkiest items on the plane. Pack items that mix and match and plan outfits before you go. Dont take anything 'just in case'.

I never take more than a backpack unless I am going for a week.

Why can't you build your capsule around the shirts?

Travel in legging trainers and jacket - you can carry the jacket onboard.
Pack 3 T-shirt’s and shorts underwear a socks.
Boots airport order for a shampoo and suncream/ shower gel.
I find jersey dresses don’t crease - pack two with matching sandals.

You only wear them a couple of hours. So not dirty.