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Original poster

To ask how on earth people pack light?!

412 replies

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 11/08/2024 17:44

Travelling to the Netherlands for the Dutch Grand Prix in ten days or so

We (stupidly) booked to travel hand luggage only and I just don't understand how it's possible! The amount of things you need, I'll be due on my period that weekend too so need to take extra bits for that as well. I know everyone's answer will be "just take less clothes" but it all seems to accumulate - shorts, t-shirts, a dress or two for if we want to go out in the evening, it's not possible!😩

OP posts:
Allthislovelygreen · 12/08/2024 13:52

I just pack really thin, floaty clothes, wear my bulkiest heaviest stuff to travel in and buy toiletries when I arrive on holiday

Original poster
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 13:51

Uncool · 12/08/2024 13:50

I also hate the kind of hotel dryers where you have to dry your hair with one of those stupid wall-mounted hairdryers where you have to keep your finger pressed on the switch. I want to sit on a chair in front of a mirror in comfort thanks ;-)

Last time I used one of those it burst into flames!!!

OP posts:
Uncool · 12/08/2024 13:50

I also hate the kind of hotel dryers where you have to dry your hair with one of those stupid wall-mounted hairdryers where you have to keep your finger pressed on the switch. I want to sit on a chair in front of a mirror in comfort thanks ;-)

Uncool · 12/08/2024 13:48

dizzydizzydizzy · 11/08/2024 19:38

It can be done. You have to be brutal in deciding what to take. Buying lightweight clothes that dry quickly when washed is essential. So no denim, a fleece rather than a sweater. Be prepared to wash out clothes before you go to bed.

I lived for 9 months with 2 pairs of trousers, 2 shirts, a fleece and a waterproof jacket, and a swimming costume. I was backpacking in Latin America in all kinds of climates.

I think backpacking calls for slightly different clothes compared to a trip to somewhere nice where you will be going out for dinner etc. There is no way I would wear a fleece in the evening on holiday! Backpacking fine!

suburburban · 12/08/2024 13:46

I mean I agree with you 😀

suburburban · 12/08/2024 13:45

Uncool · 12/08/2024 13:44

I would hate to just pack boring and functional clothes for holiday. That wouldn’t work for me 😳

Nor would I

Uncool · 12/08/2024 13:44

I would hate to just pack boring and functional clothes for holiday. That wouldn’t work for me 😳

Uncool · 12/08/2024 13:42

supersonicginandtonic · 11/08/2024 18:17

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

For a week k only take a cabin case, I wouldn't know what to take to fill a big one

This feels like the teeny tiny salad of packing ;-)

Original poster
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 13:16

PrettyJunglePlant · 12/08/2024 13:13

We don't. We always do self catering with washing machine inside so I take the whole wardrobe :)

This is my mum's strategy 🤣

OP posts:
Callosity · 12/08/2024 13:15

Yay! It should be so exciting.
Have a great weekend

PrettyJunglePlant · 12/08/2024 13:13

We don't. We always do self catering with washing machine inside so I take the whole wardrobe :)

Original poster
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 13:13

Callosity · 12/08/2024 13:11

Have a super time. Which f1 team do you follow?

When I was in Silverstone last year, I was surprised at how cold it occasionally got. I ended up buying a lovely Lando hoodie to keep me warm.
obviously a plastic poncho or lightweight shower coat. Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses.

Ferrari!

Was at Silverstone this year and froze!! I imagine it'll be worse on the North Sea too, it's just the fact the jumpers are SO expensive 😩

OP posts:
Callosity · 12/08/2024 13:11

Have a super time. Which f1 team do you follow?

When I was in Silverstone last year, I was surprised at how cold it occasionally got. I ended up buying a lovely Lando hoodie to keep me warm.
obviously a plastic poncho or lightweight shower coat. Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses.

Oblomov24 · 12/08/2024 12:43

Oh ok.

Oblomov24 · 12/08/2024 12:43

Ok

Original poster
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 12:42

Oblomov24 · 12/08/2024 12:40

Ticket is at home? You don't have the BA app? Your haven't checked in? Your boarding pass is not in your Apple wallet already?

Not logged in on the app yet, flight isn't for 19 days so I can't check in!

OP posts:
sweetpickle2 · 12/08/2024 12:42

Get a grip @Oblomov24

Oblomov24 · 12/08/2024 12:42

Go online or Ring them and add another bag. It's so easy. You could do that now.

suburburban · 12/08/2024 12:41

I flew with BA recently and I think it was 23kg in the hold

It was fine

Oblomov24 · 12/08/2024 12:40

Ticket is at home? You don't have the BA app? Your haven't checked in? Your boarding pass is not in your Apple wallet already?

Catza · 12/08/2024 12:37

Hucklemuckle · 12/08/2024 12:21

What did you wear in a nice restaurant?
Your one shirt was a beach coverup and a regular shirt? Surely it would be icky and covered in sun cream after one wear on the beach.

I am amazed but also couldn't be this limited. I'd need at least a couple of t-shirts that cover my shoulders from sun. A simple very dress that I could dress up or down like a black vest dress and some thin cotton trousers that are lighter than jeans but would cover me.

I'd also need bed wear. At least 2 swimsuits as I hate putting on yesterday's if it is damp. A hat. Bras x2, a pile of knickers, trainers, beach shoes, sandals

I'd have a bottle of SPF. I wouldn't want to buy a new one every time I moved. Deodorant, face creams. A little makeup. Medication,
So much more than you've listed surely

Show quote history

I actually did something similar a couple of times. 6 weeks in India with about 8 items of clothes and 4 months in Japan with a hand luggage which consisted of 3 bottoms, 5 tops, a dress, two pairs of shoes, a laptop and a camera. It's not for everyone, granted. I wouldn't insist that everyone packs light.
I'd imagine "a nice restaurant" in Thailand does not have the same dress-code as a nice restaurant in England too and that laundry dries within a couple of hours so no "damp swimsuit" problem. Packing is very context-dependent and some people find it more convenient to be light on their feet.

Original poster
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 12:24

Hucklemuckle · 12/08/2024 12:23

@PrincessofWells
Power bank
Sunglasses
Glasses as I can't wear contacts when I'm swimming or every day and evening
Water bottle
Tissues
I'd always have a second cable. Plug adapter

Oh god the list goes on

Christ I'd forgotten contacts from my list!!!

It's not easy is it 🤣

OP posts:
Hucklemuckle · 12/08/2024 12:23

@PrincessofWells
Power bank
Sunglasses
Glasses as I can't wear contacts when I'm swimming or every day and evening
Water bottle
Tissues
I'd always have a second cable. Plug adapter

Oh god the list goes on

Oblomov24 · 12/08/2024 12:22

Check your ticket first. Then look up the dimensions of your 2 x bags.

1 small carry on case that goes under your feet.

1 x case that goes above you in the locker.

To ask how on earth people pack light?!
Hucklemuckle · 12/08/2024 12:21

PrincessofWells · 12/08/2024 11:54

I did 2 months in Thailand and Vietnam with 3 vests, a pair of shorts, sweatshirt, a pair of jeans, a packet of laundry sheets. 1 wool/cotton jacket and a long sleeved shirt. A bikini, no towel as all hotels have beach/pool towels. 2 months of disposable lenses, 2 100ml cleansers, 2 100ml shampoo, 2 100ml conditioners, 1 100ml moisturiser, 1 small nail varnish, a pack of nv remover pads, a100ml shower gel, 1 charging cable and a kindle.

It fit into a small carry on.

I am not lugging a load of tat on/off planes/buses/trains/taxis.

What did you wear in a nice restaurant?
Your one shirt was a beach coverup and a regular shirt? Surely it would be icky and covered in sun cream after one wear on the beach.

I am amazed but also couldn't be this limited. I'd need at least a couple of t-shirts that cover my shoulders from sun. A simple very dress that I could dress up or down like a black vest dress and some thin cotton trousers that are lighter than jeans but would cover me.

I'd also need bed wear. At least 2 swimsuits as I hate putting on yesterday's if it is damp. A hat. Bras x2, a pile of knickers, trainers, beach shoes, sandals

I'd have a bottle of SPF. I wouldn't want to buy a new one every time I moved. Deodorant, face creams. A little makeup. Medication,
So much more than you've listed surely

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