To ask for help packing please?

[WhereTheFuckIsMyFuckingCoat]

Background - I need to travel to the west of Scotland from Australia in exactly 6 days for compassionate reasons, and I'll only have 5 days to be completely organised. I only have 23kg allocated hold luggage (although could pay for extra), and one carry on bag.

First off, yes I've had clearance from the authorities and I won't have to quarantine, so I'll need to be properly dressed every day. I'll have some access to laundry facilities, unsure of tumble drier.

Can anyone help me with a capsule wardrobe, and also help me out with necessities other than medication etc that I might need. I'll also unfortunately probably need to bring a funeral outfit. Is it doable in 23kgs? What weather should I dress for? Has anyone successfully done this sort of trip before on such short notice?

My anxiety is almost stopping me from thinking straight. I know it should be straightforward but my mind is drawing a blank. Jeans are heavyish but it's mostly what I wear. Jackets and jumpers are bulky, boots and shoes are heavy but I can't live in thongs like I do here. How many pairs of undies and bras can I get away with?? Are laundrettes open? Aaaarrrgghhh. This is harder than it should be.

If you've got this far thanks for reading my driveling rant and any help is much appreciated. Also, if anyone recognised me from this, please don't out me to anyone else in rl.

How long are you likely to be there?

Sorry, for just over three weeks.

Take clothes for a week plus one day, make sure you wash them every week (via a relative, laundry or hotel laundry, do you know where you'll be staying?). Try not to wear clean jeans every day, wear the outfit for two days before it needs laundry. Doesn't have to be consecutive days. Bring 8 panties and 2 bra's (in suitcase, you'll also be wearing one of course). Bring 8 pairs of socks. Do you have a black dress that is suitable for the funeral? It can double as an outfit for a fancy dinner. Bring nice funeral shoes and wear easy walking shoes for plane and everyday life. Bring a pair of black tights for if the funeral is on a cold day. Bring either a blazer that works with the dress or a cardigan. Bring a sweater to wear with the jeans. Bring 3 or 4 tops. Make everything colour coordinate with cardigan/blazer/sweater. Bring your favourite brand of sanpro if you are very particular about that (made tghat mistake once(. Don't forget about sleepwear. Bring a few select pieces if jewelry that work with half your stuff.

Don't forget glasses/extra pair if you need them. Make up and toiletries, electronics and cables. Deodorant and hairproducts. A pen (I've needed a pen so many times while travelling). Pack an empty plastic bag to put your dirty washing in.

For 6 days plus a formal occasion, and assuming no other events or activities I would bring
A dress for the funeral
Tights to wear under the dress
Shoes to wear with the dress
A jacket to wear over the dress
Three tops (eg I would bring 3 long sleeve t shirts but choose what works for you. All three should be able to be worn with both bras and both pairs of jeans)
Two pairs comfy jeans
8 pairs underwear because you never know
2 bras
2 pairs PJs
1 coat
1 light scarf

On the plane wear the coat, one of the pairs of jeans, one shirt, trainers, the scarf to roll up and use as an extra pillow on the plane if you need it or a light blanket.

Then every day bar the funeral, just change your underwear and your shirt. Swap jeans halfway or if you spill something on your lap.

Wash and dry clothes once at a relative's house when you're there. Nobody will mind and a small load will dry quickly.

Ah sorry I see you are here for 3 weeks but it doesn't change my answer much. I'd maybe add an extra top or two. General rule is clothes for a week and wash once a week.

Forgot to mention, bring one jumper that works with everything and wear on the plane as well.

I'm so sorry you are having to travel for a sad reason and I hope the trip is smooth and you get there in time.

Don't worry if you turn up with nothing but 2 pairs pants and no socks. Everything here is open and you can buy anything you forget.

Depending on where you will be staying and your planned activity apart from the funeral, would take underwear for 5 days and wash by hand. Raincoat, trainers, trousers, light jumper, hoody, scarves, funeral outfit including shoes, brolly, pyjamas, long sleeved shirts, t shirts,

Do you have an outfit suitable for the funeral including shoes? You will need an appropriate coat or jacket as it won't be warm. Handbag? - could you maybe borrow one if you are staying with relatives?

Check the weather forecast where youre going but you can assume it will rain while you're here and you'll need layers.
A couple of pairs of jeans, a few t-shirts/shirts and a couple of jumpers plus a coat/jacket. A couple of pairs of shoes/boots, at least one of which is suitable for wet weather. If you have access to a washing machine then you don't really need more for 3 weeks than you'd need for a week.

You can buy your toiletries here so I would just pack my makeup, travel sized essentials plus anything i cant live without like medication.

I'd also take running gear and a top /pair of earrings that feel a bit more dressed up just in case.

I'm assuming you're used to the Aus-UK flight so you know what you want for the plane such as earplugs, face mask, big scarf etc.

Sorry you are coming for a funeral OP. Which part of Scotland are you coming to? I was living in Sydney then went to Inverness in the summer and nearly froze!!! Yes, it summer here, but you might need a cardigan or light jacket. Especially in the evenings or on cooler days.

I too was going to suggest wearing 1 pair of jeans on the flight due to the weight, or wear them on, and change into a lighter pair of trousers on the actual flight. 24+hrs in jeans isnt what you want!!!

Unsure if you have been to the UK before, but the dollar is a little stronger at the moment. There is a store here called primark ( as another poster mentioned). A little like best and less/Kmart in terms of clothing prices, but more styles & fashions available. My cousin bought her whole wardrobe once in the Uk for her holidays here. If you are going to a large city in Scotland, there will be several choices, but if its more remote, you might need to bring things with you.

In terms of funeral wear, I'd go for black trousers that could also be worn for meals out/other occasions with a nicer top. Also a black jacket/blazer which would smarten up jeans at other times.

Thank you everyone for your advice, it is really helpful.

I lived in Scotland for many years but I've been in Aus for a decade and have only been back once and had so much more luggage allowance and plenty of time (and a bit more money) to organise.

If the dollar is stronger, does that mean I should change cash here or spend in Scotland? I'm rubbish with conversion!! It is a big city, yes (or two actually), so I'll have access to all shops that are open. I'm also hoping to get a temporary SIM card that will give me data for internet and intl calls, otherwise I'll be $5/day to contact my children and dh if/when I don't have wifi.

I have barely any family left in Scotland so assistance will be limited and sporadic. I hate that this trip is under ugh grim circumstances and I'm really not looking forward to it at all unfortunately.

Travel in your heaviest stuff! You can always take it off once on board.

Supermarkets here are also good for cheap clothes if you do get cold. i find M&S jackets and trousers are usually a better cut on my hourglass shape, and smarter for funeral attire.

Look at tops/trousers you can mix and match. I used to always overpack and often ended up living in 1 set of clothes! What other activities will you be doing here? Mainly visiting family/friends or more physical activities like hiking?

Depending on what else you are doing, I'd be packing the following, or buying some of there in the UK:

• wear jeans on plane
• black trousers or skirt for funeral and meals out
• black jacket to wear on plane and for funeral
• pair of shorts or a summery skirt
• 1-2 blouses or T-shirts
• long sleeve T-shirt to layer if its cold
• cardigan or light jacket
• scarf/light pashmina. Can double as an extra layer on your shoulder and the plane and if it gets cool
• 2 bras. A nude and black, but depends on your blouse colours
• 5-7 undies (can always be washed by hand)
• A pair of heels or flats for the funeral and meals out
• comfy shoes for day time/walking

Thank you. I'll be sending most of my time in a hotel on my own or back and forth to hospital/hospice.

This has been really helpful. I just feel very overwhelmed by it all right now.

Sorry it's such difficult circumstances.

I disagree with wearing your heaviest stuff on the plane. It's a difficult enough journey
especially if in economy, and you don't want to be have to be lugging more hand luggage than you need for the flight etc. Anyway 23kg is plenty for what you need especially if you can buy stuff here.

I usually travel in leggings or a long skirt/dress. With a stretchy vest or tshirt and a loose light jumper, and a big lightweight scarf/pashmina. Nothing that will crease.
If I were you I'd also have a pair of flipflops for the plane so i could take my shoes off but not have to walk up and down the plane/go to the toilet in bare feet/socks. I take earplugs, eye mask, deodorant, toothpaste/brush, wipes, moisturiser, spare knickers or use a panty liner on long haul.

The Aus dollar is strong compared eith the pound so you will get more for your money.
Many places have contactless card payment (i think it's paypass in Aus?) and will prefer it to cash /chip and pin. Can you check the exchange rate/charges that your bank makes for international transactions before you go? You may not need much cash.

Agree that 23 kg is loads of luggage for just clothes etc so you don't have to worry about special techniques to maximise your allowance.

We have a medium suitcase that is about 13 kg when full of clothes, a few toiletries and chargers etc, so I'd expect even a larger one to be comfortably below 23 kg.

As far as money is concerned, depending on how the cards that you have charge, it's probably best to just use your cards as, while they may be charges, the rate that cards use is usually a couple of percent or so better than exchange rates available in bureau de change.

Obviously Australian bank cards could be completely different, but the main thing to watch out for with UK cards is that some charge a fixed fee per transaction or cash withdrawal, which could then be very expensive if you make lots of small transactions. Many businesses are now card only to avoid handling cash and it is also common for some people to use cards for all transactions, no matter how small, which is fine for bigger businesses, but some small retailers and maybe things like parking, could require cash, especially for small amounts (under £5). But some small shops are card only or fine with small transactions - I bought a £2 icecream from an ice cream van with a card yesterday, and most people were doing the same.

As long as your payment cards don't charge a disproportionately high fixed fee, it's probably easiest to use a card as much as you can, but withdraw a small amount of UK currency eg £20 for those instances where you might need cash. You can always give it to a relative or drop it in a charity box at the airport if you have it left.

As far as mobile phones go, you should be able to get a 'calling abroad' sim in a small independent phone shop in a city - their target market will be people who live in the UK with relatives overseas, but you should be able to get one to use for a month for not very much.

Hope the trip is as stress free as possible, under the circumstances.

If you have a bit of money now, packable down jackets are really handy for travelling. Tog 24 are really warm, Uniqlo are the best budget. I can fit mine into a handbag when its not needed so it doesnt get in the way but its jolly warm when it is. I travel with that and a pac a Mac so you can layer up when needed or use either individually