To ask how on earth people pack light?!

I think you’re overestimating most people’s understanding of attending a GP - it wouldn’t occur to me it was any different than going to London to watch Wimbledon. I’d assume you could wear the same single outfit of normal clothing from breakfast to bedtime - obviously if there’s specific requirements then it’ll be harder than packing light in general.

You have to dress more boringly. It took me decades to figure it out.

I have a very 90s/00s capsule collection based round three dark jersey maxi dresses. I only wear those things when I'm travelling.

A coat?

You can wear that on the plane - along with your bulkiest shoes and clothes.

It depends on where you're going and also how big you are.

I've just packed for ds3 for 10 nights in a hand luggage size case. But we're going to a hot country and he's 7 so although he has about 20 different full outfits (day and evening x 10) it's no problem at all...in fact he has space to spare!

For me, I can do 4 nights in a hot country in hand luggage without any issue. More than that though, or somewhere not hot where you need to incorporate jeans, jumpers etc and I'd need a bigger case.

Here is your answer. 😆 Even their accommodation (tent) https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/24510481.ryanair-warning-lads-cheeky-hack-saves-300-fees/

For BA you can have a wheeled case this size and a bag under the seat in front which can be a rucksack, so assuming one of each of those each, you'll be fine surely? We can go skiing for a week on that and we're are about to do 10 days away on the same.

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Even with 4 day shirts, 4 evening tops/dresses, 4 lightweight trousers and jeans plus another pair of shoes, underwear, a couple of jumpers, light jacket (rain always possible at dutch GP!), plenty of room. Wear your trainers. Buy shared bigger toiletries there or after security.

Ive just done 5 nights, 2 adults and 2 tweenage girls with 1 small back pack each (easyjet under seat in front) and 1 hand luggage case of easyjet dimensions (which doesnt have a weight limit)
We had all clothes (5 outfits each and 2 pairs of PJs) squashed into the hand luggage case
1 back pack was our mini toiletries from boots, toothbrushes, electric razor + a selection of meds and pills + first aid essentials, and my daughters asthma and eczma meds / creams, hair brushes and bobbles
1 back pack was rain coats for all, and swim suits for all and 2 of the smallest camping towels (that we didnt use) and goggles
1 back was "important stuff"... purse, passports, 4 phone chargers, eu adapter plug, battery packs, glasses
1 back pack was a reading book each, a couple of small games, and some foody bits and sweets for the plane and a sharpie
After security we went to boots and bought 1 bottle of suncream, and 4 bottles of water (labelled with sharpie)
we also stuffed a pair of sandles each into the backpacks and wore trainers on the plane.

It was absolutely fine, BUT was helped by knowing the weather would be warm so we didnt need to pack lots of warm clothes.... shorts + T shirt or summer dress was enough for 1 day.

Everywhere we stayed provided towels, and (at least) the basics of soap and shower gel and hair dryer.

We traveled by plane, bus, train, boat and ferry, through 3 countries with a back pack each on our backs and 1 small wheeled case and it was fine.

Four days?

Jeans & a t-shirt + trainers on the plane.

Bag has 6 pairs of knickers, 1 bra, 4 pairs of socks, 3 tops, pair of shorts, second pair of trousers if you absolutely must, pair of shoes (with the socks stuffed into them) and a frock. Fit them into the bottom of the bag.

Toiletries in separate bag in the case over a thin/microfibre handtowel+flannel - toothbrush, mini toothpaste, floss, mini shampoo, mini conditioner, mini sunblock, deodorant stick, mini shower gel, plastic bag for underwear if you can't bear to bin them, small packet of tampax/pads, hairbrush, mascara, lip gloss, small eyeshadow compact.

Every AirBnB I've been to has had some showergel and shampoo in it (so it's unlikely to be an issue if you can't fit them in for some strange reason) and if not, there's wherever you're buying your food from for any additional tampons/pads.

Wear your bulkiest items on the plane - trainers, jeans, jacket etc. then you don't have to fit them in the suitcase. One dress & 2 scarves, necklaces etc for nights out.

You're going for 4 nights, it shouldn't be difficult.

I went for 2 weeks last summer with a large rucksack ( Ryanair priority boarding size). Did do one load of washing half way through, but that was it

Packing cubes.

Complete discipline.

Don't take a single thing unless you are certain you will wear it.

Are there any items you can wear more than once.

Take only the shoes you are wearing.

Your accommodation will prob provide shampoo so limit your toiletries to deodorant, moisturiser and tampons.

With BA you can also take a small rucksack as well as your small suitcase.

How are you packing, what's your approach to putting stuff in the case?

I've just flown with BA - we're away for two week trip. I've got 8 pairs pants/socks, 2 bras, 5 bikinis, 3 beach cover ups, 4 long dresses, 4 pairs trousers, 2 pairs shorts, 5 skirts, 2 cardis, about 8 tshirts/blouses, 4 pairs shoes (inc 1 pair sandals) and a jumper. One wash bag and one make up bag. Couple of books etc. All in a carry on suitcase and under seat bag with space to spare.

You need to roll tightly lengthways, don't fold! Lots of long thin sausages wedged together. Stuff things inside other things (undies/hairbrushes in shoes, for eg), fill every little gap. Decant your fave toiletries and buy stuff like toothpaste when you get there. Wear the bulkiest stuff on the plane if you need to.

Granted the weather for this trip should be consistent and it's much harder if you're taking jumpers etc but just 4 days in a standard carry on is so doable!

BA carry on allowance is pretty generous compared with other airlines and you can take a backpack for under the seat. You will manage fine.

If I am going away for a week, I wear dresses or jumpsuits that can be dressed up and down, one pair of sparkly sandals for going at night, one pair or trainers, one pair of flip flops, I wear the same jewellery all week, all my essential toiletries I can pack into one toiletry bag (think about what skin care products etc you can last without just fire for a week - you won't turn into a hag!), books on kindle for travelling, music on phone. In winter, pretty much the same except I wear a pair of smart boots suitable for walking in all day and pack a pair of heels for the evening, two pairs of jeans, four nice tops and three day-to-night dresses (one of which I will be wearing to travel). A pretty knock out coat is essential to pull it all together. I used to travel a lot for work (journalist) and I can pack in half an hour.

Sorry, just saw your update. Cheap t-shirts from the supermarket are great for wearing under team shirts to keep them clean. Easily rolled up and take up very little room.

As others have said:

Plan outfits in a very limited colour way eg, navy, white, tan, gold.

Two pair of shoes only:

1. A pair of white trainers to travel in and walk around in
2. A pair of pretty but comfortable flat gold sandals that dress things up.

Wear a bumbag to travel with and run around with by day
Pack a small, flat gold crossbody bag to dress things up

Toiletries:
Decant anything vital (your own face wash, moisturiser, face spf, foundation, perfume) into tiny bottles from Muji.
Pick up simple wipes, mini deodorant, mini shampoo and conditioner, mini body spf if you need it - and a bar of soap once you're airside.

Use the hotel's hairdryer and take a couple of hair elastics and scrunchies so you can put your hair on a ponytail if it's being a nightmare.

Muji packing cubes.

I can travel light.

Mostly I choose not to.

What helps:

Going somewhere there is a washing machine and dryer or line outside (much much fewer clothes)

No toiletries (buy there)
No make up (don't use)

Hot countries easier to pack light - the clothes are not as bulky.

Kindle not books.

You're only going to the GP for 4 nights. We only took a back pack each when we went and came home with clean clothes.
For a week k only take a cabin case, I wouldn't know what to take to fill a big one

I take just shampoo not shampoo and shower gel. I reason that for a few days I can use shampoo as shower gel. It doesn't work the other way round. Little things like that can save space.

Agree about travelling in trainers and packing sandals, but you can fit a weeks worth of undies, rolled up, in one trainer! So if you have to pack them, use them as in-case storage.

And I travel back in what I travelled out in. I hang the top up, in side out, when I get to my destination, and spray it liberally with deodorant. It's fine for the journey back, so one less thing to pack.

I wear multiple layers of clothes on the plane, and make sure they have pockets. And I generally am prepared to do some hand washing.

No one needs to take a dressing gown!

Oops forgot pyjamas!

Dressing gown and slippers?? Do you really need those?

Presumably the AirBnB has a hairdryer straighteners are unnecessary. Travel size shampoo & shower gel, toothbrush & paste, and deodorant - all fit in a v small make up bag. Absolutely don't need a dressing gown! I do like slippers but, if not provided by hotel, the very thin travel ones are fine to stop you skidding on wet floors. One spare pair of shoes (stick to trainers or Converse, as they go with everything). As everyone says, few basic colours, so you can mix and match.
Check weather forecast carefully before you go, so you don't take unnecessary jumpers and coats.