Why do people act like it’s a moral failure to not pack light? AIBU to enjoy taking stuff on holiday with me?

I'm going away for a three-day work thing and currently despairing at how bulky my luggage looks. I'm really interested in how light packers would deal with this.

For context, there are three days of work events, for which I need to look smart, plus a black tie dinner on one of the nights. The place I am going to is forecast for heavy rain for today (arrival) and tomorrow, and then glorious sunshine and 24 degree heat for the rest of the time. I am a sweaty perimenopausal mess at the best of times and have "difficult" hair, which will be a disaster if exposed to rain. There is a 6 minute walk between hotel and conference venue and similar between hotel and dinner venue. I also have very sensitive skin so tend to stick to brands that I know for toiletries and make-up and won't use anything supplied by the hotel in case I come out in hives.

I have:
Underwear (no spares)
Pyjamas
Smart trousers which I'll wear to travel, plus 2 x tops for two working days with slightly different look.
Different outfit (dress) for the third day
Smart sandals for the hot days (wearing boots to travel and day 1 when it is raining)
Smart dress, smart jacket, handbag and shoes for dinner
Toiletries and make-up (a bit more than everyday due to black tie dinner)
Hairdryer with diffuser (essential for looking presentable and know from experience that basic dryers won't do it)
Small pouch with essential medication.
Umbrella

The case (carry-on style) looks like it's bulging at the seams. Then I have my laptop bag (rucksack) with power cable and some work files I need to carry.

I feel like my colleagues will fall over laughing at me when I rock up at the station. Any help for discarding items/capsuling a bit better?

I wouldn't bother with make-up or hairdryer or toiletries other than a small shampoo and conditioner but then I don't think tied up hair or no make-up matters at even the most formal events.

Extra handbag for evening. Do you really need that? Surely you only need to carry phone and hotel room card so just in a pocket or a bag so small it takes up no space. Do you need the jacket too? Is the event somewhere separate to where you are staying? Room of event unlikely to be cool enough to need a jacket.

Raincoat rather than umbrella that you can wear.

But even without making those changes nothing you've listed sounds like it would take up too big a bag.

For me.
3 months around India, South East Asia, South America, Australia and NZ. 16 kg rucksack including 3 months of daily contact lenses, walking boots and physical travel guides.
2 night work trip including dinner out and board presentations. I can fit everything in my laptop bag.
7 nights in Greece 21kg.
😆

@AgentCooperdreamsofTibet

I would ditch the pajamas ( I never wear nightclothes - I either sleep either naked or in a vest and pants). I also don't think you need separate dress, shoes, bag and jacket for the dinner - unless it is a very glitzy black tie affair. I would just wear the same smart trousers you had on for the day, the smart sandals you are taking and pack a third slightly more fancy evening top.

Or ditch the third day dress and wear the trousers again with a third work top.

I also wouldn't bother taking a hair drier.

@AgentCooperdreamsofTibet how long is your hair? Can you practice twisting it up and using serum on any loose tendrils? Maybe take a fancy hair clip? There are so many good products for frizzy hair nowadays.

I couldn’t give a shit what other people think! If I’m travelling by car then I’ll take all the crap I want! Even if DH comments on the amount of stuff I take he gets short shrift!

I am a terrible underpacker, as long as I've got enough clean knickers and a toothbrush I am good to go, and I tend to travel with a very good friend who is a massive overpacker. So I'm toddling around with a tiny backpack and she's hauling two mighty suitcases. If I find I need something while I'm away I will either buy it or do without. She has has fourteen alternative outfits for every day.

We get on very well and have yet to meet with disaster. So I think it's just purely down to preference (and to who has to carry the luggage).

Yes my DH moans as well.

First principles of packing:
Am I going to have to carry it?
Yes - Then pack as lightly as possible and only take what you really need.
No - Then take as much as you can for every contingency.

Yes, just saw a holiday and the price was based on a small bag each lol.

I love that you take your Oboe!
DC2 plays the Euphonium and we only take the mouthpiece on holiday as the whole instrument would be a) to big and b) to loud for the neighbours in the hotel.

Same. 6 months travelling with a 60 l backpack and a small daypack, even including sleeping bag and pad, half a tent and some cookware. And books, as ebook readers weren't a thing back then. Hiking boots, sandals, raingear, normal clothes and even knitting needles and some wool.
Felt like I had plenty of room and was able to carry it all by myself.
Now I struggle with a big suitcase for a 2 weeks hotel stay.

I hear ya. I’ve never taken my cello, for obvious reasons :).

@Oldblower I love your username!

I think you can pack what you like as long as you can carry it and your luggage does not inconvenience others. Had an experience on a train recently where a woman had put a large case on a chair. She refused to move it as she could not put it on a rack given ot was too heavy and she did not want anyone else touching it.

Also had the experience a few times of checking in for a flight where someone infront of me refused to accept that there is a luggage limit. Delaying check in for everyone else.

Oh god, brings back memories of the spoilt princess on the Eurostar who stood blocking the exit with her two massive wheely suitcases having a hissy fit as there was no one at St Pancras to help her get them off the train.

Eurostar make it very clear you can only bring 2 pieces of luggage and a handbag and you have to be able to get it on and off the train your self and fit them on their storage racks.

DH always teases me for my ‘overpacking’

I never exceed the luggage allowance we have and amazingly he is always grateful when I have the Imodium or plasters or a pen etc that he needs.

Yes he seems to pack 2 pairs of pants and a spare top (slight exaggeration but you know what I mean) but all my ‘just in case’ bits usually prove to be useful.

I could manage with 2 dresses for a week but why not have a couple more if not exceeding the allowance!