To ask how on earth people pack light?!

[NeedSomeAnswersPlease]

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!😩

Not sure what you mean by not wanting to over pack?

You're wanting to take more stuff than you think you can get in your case, so surely you put whatever you can in the Longchamp to help with that?

You could get loads in a large one. It doesn't mean you have to carry it around everywhere once you arrive, it's just a means of getting it to your accommodation.

Unless I've misunderstood!

I'm just shit at packing I think!

Also think I'm fixating on this as I have a hospital appointment later and have worked myself into a tizzy about it so it's easier to worry about packing

As people have said, BA allowance is HUGE
23kg hand luggage
23kg personal/extra item ie, laptop bag or rucksack
Yes- that's 46kg allowance in the cabin per person

So just lump in as much stuff you can within the size restrictions. (The 2nd item is smaller) The most I've managed was about 14kg in on and 13 in the smaller.
I also take a small handbag in addition to the two bags.

Unless you are one of those people than need to take more than needed to think what to wear everyday as opposed as to plan the outfits in advance of the trip. It is very doable. Even easier in summer and more so if you are allowed a bag for underneath the seat. The trick is how you pack and fold the clothes Where people may also go wrong is taking too many shoes. Take the biggest and sturdy ones on and maximum two pairs in the suitcase. I usually take a big handbag and put a smaller one inside that bag for going out. Use every space and pockets and usually reduced the number of make up and toiletries which must be travel size anyway.

You're probably just not used to thinking about what you have to pack versus what would nice to have. When you go for longer, you can take more in hold luggage and paring back isn't as strict. For carry on only, you have to change your mindset to "What do I NEED" rather than "What would be nice to take?" If you can do without it for a few days, it's not necessary.

I did a five day trip to Italy in May, and had the same weather concerns. In your position, clothes-wise I would take:

4 pairs of knickers plus spares
Couple of bras and a bralet
4 pairs trainer socks
Trainers*
1 pair comfy sandals
2 pairs shorts
2 team tops
1 spare t-shirt/top (plus a t-shirt for the flight*)
Pair of jeans or trousers*
1 jersey dress
A cardigan*
A light jacket*
A vest/t-shirt and shorts sleepset

The asterisk items you wear on the plane. They won't get sweaty so can be worn again. You could take a layer off if you're too warm on the flight. Wear either the shorts or jeans and team top for the race days, changing into the dress and sandals for evening. Add cardigan or light jacket if it's cooler. On non-race days, the t-shirt plus jeans/trousers you wore on the flight. If it's sunny and warm, the dress and sandals combo. Pick items that generally go with each other colour-wise, plain rather than patterned is easier.

That should leave plenty room in your cabin case and your backpack/additional bag for toiletries and chargers etc. I don't have period stuff to contend with but I have contact lenses and need space for saline/case/glasses, I can't do without those. I can do without make-up and perfume (I usually smell of Autan or Jungle Formula, perfumes attract mosquitos) so don't pack those, can't do without Sensodyne toothpaste so can't make do with any old Colgate travel tube. Like a PP says, you have to compromise where you can to allow for where you can't.

We tend to go on holidays of 18-21 days so I'm always planning on doing a couple of washes through the holiday, and for that length of time I do take tweezers and cotton buds and shizz like that. I definitely wouldn't for four days though!

Hope the hospital appointment goes well...

Just cancel your train ticket and rebook for an earlier one. Then get a bag you can put in the hold.

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.

when i first decided to travel light I did a practice run. I packed a bag for a week and only used things out of the bag to see what i was missing, at the end of the week I had things i never needed and took them off the list, then things I did need and forgot were added back in. Doing it here with changeable weather meant I was able to try different things. I wear a denim jacket and the inside of the pockets doubles as a bigger pocket so I stuff my liquids etc in there after security. I take a kindle, but if I want a real book i carry it onto the plane so it doesnt take much space. I also have a drawstring bag (like kids have for swimming) it fits in my jeans pocket and then I can lump all my extra stuff in it once I am on a plane for easy carying when I get off. if you buy sanitary towels and things at the airport you can carry them on in a carrier bag. The biggest realiseation for me is that I wasnt going to the middle of nowhere and everywhere has shops! if I needed an extra top I could pick one up in the town / buy a new team shirt at the Prix.

Sorry, which bags does op currently have? She keeps refusing to say.

I suggested booking another carry on big bag and she made some wierd comment about not wanting to fo a bag drop, and the train issue.

Is it now 2 x small hand luggage and 2 x 10kg carry on bags.

I'm getting confused as to what the actual issue is, but op wont commit to factual answers.

Not seen any questions about it - it's BA hand luggage - so one case and one personal item each I think? Not 100% sure if dimensions atm

Eh?
Loads of people have asked.

Is it 23kg carry on?
The dimensions?

Why don't you check your ticket and then check the dimensions now?

23kg carry on is huge!

Ticket is at home and I am at work - I don’t know how I'm supposed to have this information to hand at all times!! It was a slightly tongue in cheek post that has now ended with me getting the Spanish Inquisition!!

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

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.

@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 🤣

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.

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?

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

It was fine

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

Get a grip @Oblomov24

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

Ok

Oh ok.

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.