To ask how on earth people pack light?!

My dear @NeedSomeAnswersPlease , I say this kindly - your problem is your mental attitudes and not your holiday plans.

You need to learn how to handwash small clothes items like underwear .

You need to get over some of your issue, like your father seeing underwear drying. I assume he’s has sex at least once so he must know that women wear underwear.

If you are having regular leaks during your period then you need to look at other types of San pro that might work better for you.

You can re wear most clothes and shoes. Please see my comment about “stinking “ upthread .

You don’t need a complete new outfit for every day, let alone two outfits.

Rain in the Netherlands in August doesn't mean it will be freezing cold. You need several thin layers and waterproofs, not one thick layer.

Shops in the Netherlands are just like those in the UK.

You need to learn to simplify your complicated hairstyling and beauty routine, even for a few days on holiday. This will free up more time and space for you to enjoy yourself.

You can cope with something that is less than perfect for a few days , like a hairdryers that is not your own and only one hairbrush for blow drying. You can look nice without looking like a model on a shoot.

You can learn to do without so much stuff for one weekend. It’s not about “making sacrifices “, it’s about being more free to enjoy the experience. Somewhere you have picked up the idea that stuff = happiness/ security.

Yes I am sure there are some people who can pack light and look glam. That’s not me unfortunately. Sorry, I didn’t meant to make you feel sad! You are in the majority on this thread anyway; lots of light efficient packers here!

/:

Now catching up with all the thread I have to say I'm finding everyone's suggestions helpful and inspiring. Especially like the idea for considering packing an item when I buy something new. True, sometimes you'll have specific requirements but in many cases I think this could work.

Hope I’m not repeating someone else’s advice.
Try 54321 packing: 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 dresses and shoes, 2 jackets, 1 hat.
Some people put jackets in the tops and say 2 accessories/bags.
I did it for a week long holiday and it worked really well.

Decant some of your skin care products into contact lens cases.

If the weather is variable then you need to pack layers.

If your clothes all stink after one day, you need to wear anti perspirant and shower every day. if that doesn’t work you need to see your doctor. most people can rewear trousers , jeans , skirts , dresses and sweaters / jumpers for several days without any smell.

You have 4 bags ( 2 cabin bags and 2 personal items ) for 4 days in one country. Some people travel the world for a year with less than that.

That doesn't sound excessive, but should easily fit in a cabin sized suitcase - what kind of bag do you have? The Eastpak one I linked to before would fit all of that easily and you can take chargers, headphones and books in your small cabin handbag.

yes, I admit I am unfamiliar with this kind of holiday. I reckon wearing a team shirt would not be for me anyway ;-)

Yes I am sure there are some people who can pack light and look glam. That’s not me unfortunately. Sorry, I didn’t meant to make you feel sad! You are in the majority on this thread anyway; lots of light efficient packers here!

I agree but a race weekend with long days at the venue isn't a typical holiday. A focus on functionality and practicality can be useful.

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

Ha so true!

no-one (other than you) cares if you are in the same clothes

The problem is when ‘you’ love clothes and fashion and want to wear nice outfits on holiday! Packing would be easier if I didn’t care!

We did once manage 5 days in Rome hand luggage only but were lucky that weather was consistently warm. As a pp did I decanted almost every toiletry item into tiny bottles and cream pots I've collected over the years (the ones you get in beauty advent calendars are useful). Also Feel Unique or Look Fantastic used to do an excellent deal where you choose x 5 sachet or sample sizes for a fiver including postage and that £ is put on your account as a credit so they were basically free! Especially useful for say, nice body lotion, which I can't travel without.

Depends how long you are going for.
We went for a long weekend in Amsterdam in October, 10kg hand luggage only each, I took 2 spare tops, 1 jumper, I pair jeans , undies socks, mini deo shower gel etc and a book and had to re-wear what I travelled in.

God yes €14 euros for a bottle that would cost a fiver at home! Why is sun cream often so expensive in Europe I wonder?!

I also can't pack light! But the last few trips I did manage to pack smarter. I bought a scrubba - and did a few essentials every other day. So underwear, pyjamas and T-shirts. This helped a lot space wise.

Also check if there's a laundry collect and drop off service that is local and reliable. We did that for one trip. Half way through sent a huge load and was picked and dropped off all ironed and fresh.

Shoes are a big space waster - so get dressier sandals that's for day and night use, use trainers to fly with, and just 1/2 other as an option. We like to shop as well wherever we travel so I make sure to leave space for that.

I find the sun creams are weighty

I need a lot and would rather over pack as they are often more expensive abroad

I always decant toiletries

We've just got back from holiday staying in a small village in Sicily where the only place to get the deo I'd forgotten to buy was in a pharmacy where a can of Nivea cost me €7 .

This is me ... I truly admire those who can pack this light but to me it always = drab outfits when I'm on holiday and want to look my best.

Disclaimer / there are of course some clever folks who can do carry on packing and look fab such as Alyssa Beltempo. She rocks

I travel very light but am low maintenance/ scruffy. No make up,no hair dryer or tongs. Take a bar of soap and a shampoo bar. Wear heaviest clothes to travel...jumper/ coat / boots or shoes. Sleep in knickers and tshirt so dont need pjs. Stuff knickers and socks into second pair of shoes if taking secod pair. Clothes can be worn more than once unless v hot weather. Thin tshirts roll up. Shorts for day wear. One dress/skirt.
Job done.

Not really. I had a pair of black silk trousers and a nice blouse that I could wear for going somewhere smart.

My other set of clothes was probably more what you are imagining. - lightweight cargos and a shirt.

i’m saddened my comments
are being dismissed. My friend who is a glamour girl and a big traveller always considers traveling when she buys clothes. She is always looking to buy lightweight dresses that don’t need ironing’. She works on. Similar principles and likes going to Venice.

See, this is the thing - I'd rather deal with a 10% chance that I have to wash my clothes/buy something when I'm out there than a 100% chance that I'll have a heavy bag to carry that's got loads of stuff I don't use in it. I actually really enjoy packing light and agree with the person who said it's fun to challenge themself - but that's probably either something you enjoy or you don't, and you can't force it if you don't feel it.

For some people, the desire to have multiple outfits/accessories/all the bells and whistles outweighs the inconvenience of packing heavier, for others (me!) they get actively annoyed by the sight of things they've packed and didn't use. As long as I've got my passport and money, I can wing it!

Take advantage of a largish handbag. Use it for spare shoes, cardigan, fold up waterproof jacket, book if taking, as well as your usual handbag stuff.

Probably too late for this trip, but future planning, lightweight travel trousers instead of jeans - Craghopper, Rohan etc. Coats that pack into their own pockets.

We find going on a summer hot break is easy. Toiletries and shoes are the weight killers, but as long as we gave a hairdryer in our accommodation, find it quite easy. It is easy to quickly wash clothes in the washbasin and they dry quickly. If the place we are going is cooler, then it is more difficult, with thicker clothes and no chance of drying them quickly.