What do I need for a week in the sun if I only have hand luggage?

[surlycurly]

So I'm away on holiday to Italy next week and I only have a 10kg case and a small under the seat bag to take with me. I'm terrible for over packing and need some help about what I really actually need to take with me. It's a city break and there is a beach that I might visit. I will be alone so I don't need to get very dressed up. Any suggestions to help keep me reigned in?

Oh I could do this easily! Couple items of swimwear, kimono to chuck on over either swimwear or to smarten up daywear, couple of dresses one casual one a bit nicer, pair of shorts, 3-4 strappy tops, a nice pair of slip-on sandals, done! Book, hat, suncream. I'm jealous!

What @AnotherVice said plus a pair of loose linen trousers and maybe a linen shirt.

Get yourself over to the Style and Beauty board - everyone there will have loads of brilliant suggestions

I recently went on a city break with a small case sounds about the same size as yours. I had three pairs of linen trousers (you could replace at least one pair with shorts), three tops, running kit including trainers and sandals (sandals went in small rucksack). Absolute basic cosmetics, hairbrush and underwear. Plus a cardigan. I could have fitted in a swimsuit and a small dress if needed. Wore another pair of trainers. I did wear everything except one of the tops.

What I do is wear a clean top each evening and then wear that top the next day.

Most suncream is too big for the plastic bags so buy that in duty free or once you get there. My moisturiser has an SPF and I have a lip salve with SPF so I used that over moles etc.

swim suits, shorts/little skirts, tshirts, flipflops, two decent sun dresses, a sarong, suntan cream, sunglasses, hat

A couple of paperbacks, and trousers/jacket/deck shoes for the trip to/from.

😎

I'm going to Crete for 2 weeks with the same luggage allowance. I did a trial run with my suitcase and you can fit a surprising amount in when you only have to pack for good weather.

I have 6 dresses, 3 silk skirts, 2 linen skirts, 4 tank tops, 2 linen shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 blouses, a linen blazer, 5 bikinis, 2 sarongs and a travel towel. (Plus underwear). All in suitcase. In bag I will have 3 pairs of sandals, my cosmetic bag and my kindle. I'll wear a cardigan on the plane. We have access to a washing machine for the first week so I'll wash anything that has been worn.

You will not need much and if you roll your clothes rather than fold them you will get more in.

The tricky bit is your washpack. You’ll need to either decant everything into 100ml bottles, or buy at the airport/on holiday and reckon on using it all up or throwing away the excess at the end.

Rest is easy.

For clothes I prefer mostly dresses as then you don’t need to worry about what goes with what, and they can be smartened up easily if needed (take some jewellery).

Download e books onto phone/kindle, and wear anything bulky on the flight (like trainers if you want them).

Oh my you're all brilliant. I'll probably only wear trousers when travelling (I have a linen jumpsuit that I thought I'd pair with a denim jacket. Maybe three dresses- and I love the idea of wearing it the night before and then the next day- fab idea. Think I'll take makeup and maybe a moisturiser in my hand luggage. I'll buy shampoo when I get there etc. The big issue for me is how much swimwear etc. and resisting the urge to take 7 tops/ shorts etc! And how many books! I love reading 😂

Kindle instead of books

get some packing cubes-can fit loads in a small space by rolling them.
mix and match 🙂

I bought packing cubes! I'm determined to maximise the space. I don't have a kindle. I should reinvest.

Lay out your clothes and bring outfits. Shorts can be worn twice as can a dress you wear just for dinner. Pack 9 outfits for 7 days so don’t feel restricted. If you need a swimsuit then can give it a rinse. Buy a bar of soap and deodorant but take shampoo . Oh and enjoy

Cory break most likely means you'll have laundrette handy to much easier!

Few shorts and tops.
Dresses
Swimwear and cover up
Couple of cardigans
Flip flops

You can wear trainers and a fleece to travel.

Also you can easily get toiletries when you arrive if in a city.

Definitely.

I'm a book lover too and an absolute anti convert to the kindle.

Then I discovered the great side of it - it doesn't get wet and disintegrate poolside 🤣🤣

Game changer!

In these situations I buy a 500ml bottle of Johnson's Baby top to toe wash after security. You can wash hair, face, body, swimwear, underwear, outerwear, glasses indeed anything with it. It lets you recycle stuff during the holiday and really smells pretty pleasant!

I’ve travelled for three weeks across the states on hand luggage only.

Pro tip: small vacuum bags, that you can roll to get the air out of. Your bags might be heavy but they’ll be COMPRESSED.

I’ve done a week hand luggage only, I have a Mia TUI beach bag that is amazing as a travel bag for under the seat. It also fits over the suitcase handles and is waterproof.

toiletries I bought at the airport apart from my make up.

I had a lightweight IT luggage case, I managed to get all I needed for a hot week in. Although I love my Birkenstocks in white, think they are Monaco, perfect around the pool but smart enough to wear at night.

7/8 outfits- maybe 4 dresses, 2/3 shorts+t shirts, 1 pair of trousers and blouse/nicer top. Wear the trousers and top and carry a jacket/cardigan on the plane to avoid packing bulky items. Pyjamas if you wear them- keep to 1 pair. If you don't have access to laundry facilities and find yourself needing to re-wear an outfit, hang it up in front of an open window to air it out in a pinch.
2 swim suits is all you need really, you can rinse them with water to freshen up if in chlorine pool. Wear comfy walking shoes on the plane e.g. trainers and pack a pair of sandals for nicer outfits. You only ever need 1 spare of anything, so don't pack 15 pairs of underwear and 3 phone chargers 'just in case'

Great advice people- much appreciated. Think the idea about planning outfits if just what I need to hear. That way I'm unlikely to do the just in case thing. I could probably rinse things out if I'm stuck as I have an apartment. Just don't want to carry everything all a that way!

Pack items inside other clothes & accessories so swimwear inside towels etc. It will free up space in your suitcase especially if you pack outfits together.

Definitely a kindle. I had two books disintegrate and melt last summer!

I'm just back from a week's city break in Italy and the one thing I wish I'd brought with me was a pair of trainers. I had walking sandals and nice flat evening sandals, but I'd underestimated how tough the cobbles were and how far I'd want to walk...I did remember to bring a straw hat which squashed down nicely in my bag, and also a large cotton scarf which covered the back of my neck when I got sunburnt. I also remembered a small cross-body bag which fitted inside my cabin luggage, but meant I could keep money & phone safe when out and about once I was there, and I also always travel with an extra cloth bag so I can go grocery shopping or carry an extra bottle of water.

I needed this thread, thanks 😊

Get a shampoo bar and a bar of soap for showering. Shampoo bars last for ages so you make it smaller by breaking a bit off.