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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Insidelaurashead · 13/08/2024 12:33

Does the air b n b have a washer? I travel quite light (hand luggage only for a 2 week, multi country trip) BUT I always wash. And I know some people would say I don't want to wash on holiday-that's fine and valid, but I'd rather do that (chuck a wash on as soon as I get home from a day out, hang washing to dry before bed) than lug a big case around.

I would say take very minimal makeup/toiletries, and only things you're picky about-so if your face needs a particular face wash take 100ml of it, but if your body is fine with any shower gel grab one at the airport. Also tampons or pads I'd grab at the airport because a few days of those can take a chunk of space I find.

For a 3 night trip I'd be wearing leggings on the plane that I'd then wear to slob about the apartment. I'd wear trainers or walking shoes on the flight and put a pair of light, pretty sandals in my hand luggage. Pack a pair of shorts, three vest tops, two dresses. Rolled up (and put into a packing cube) this takes barely any space. Add trainer socks, enough pants for your trip and an extra bra, maybe two if you're expecting to get sweaty because it's hot. That should be one packing cube that takes half or less of your carry on bag. Check if the air b n b has a hairdryer, it likely will so then I wouldn't take mine. Phone charger, kindle, camera, charging bank, spare camera battery and I'm done.

StarlightLady · 13/08/2024 13:32

Everyone has forgotten to pack their vibey 😀!

Gogogo12345 · 13/08/2024 13:49

StarlightLady · 13/08/2024 13:32

Everyone has forgotten to pack their vibey 😀!

Lol I doubt OP wants to use that with her dad in the next room

S00LA · 13/08/2024 14:01

StarlightLady · 13/08/2024 13:32

Everyone has forgotten to pack their vibey 😀!

I notice that StarlightLady is always posting about sex, women’s bodies , breasts, vaginas , vibrators, masturbation , women’s underwear etc , even on threads which have nothing to do with these subjects .

I wonder why that is.

pollymere · 13/08/2024 15:20

My "hand luggage" can take several dresses, shorts and tops etc. I've used it to go away for seven nights. You can also take personal items in your handbag which can also be a decent size. I often pack a smaller hand bag inside my main bag and then take a holdall as my personal item. A trolley case and holdall should be enough. Do decant toiletries into smaller bottles - just for space. You probably only need two bras - one you'll be wearing. Same for shoes ideally.

ViscountDreams · 13/08/2024 16:03

StarlightLady · 13/08/2024 13:32

Everyone has forgotten to pack their vibey 😀!

Only in your head is a 'vibey' a routine part of women's packing lists. Sorry about that.

StarlightLady · 13/08/2024 16:20

ViscountDreams · 13/08/2024 16:03

Only in your head is a 'vibey' a routine part of women's packing lists. Sorry about that.

Two points.

  1. It was meant in fun hence the 😀.
  2. On a more serious note, l travel a lot for work and mine goes everywhere with me.
HotandBigandSwollen · 13/08/2024 16:31

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 12/08/2024 19:44

Yes!!! Do some of you not get sweaty feet???

No. Not a thing for me. If I'm wearing trainers, I'm also wearing socks. If I'm wearing sandals, well, no, sweat is not an issue.

Resisterance · 13/08/2024 17:59

S00LA · 13/08/2024 14:01

I notice that StarlightLady is always posting about sex, women’s bodies , breasts, vaginas , vibrators, masturbation , women’s underwear etc , even on threads which have nothing to do with these subjects .

I wonder why that is.

Man in the house

Resisterance · 13/08/2024 18:03

Ginmonkeyagain · 13/08/2024 08:25

A Turkish cottom hamman towel is great.to take for beach holiday - they fold up really small and can be used as a towel, something to sit on and a cover up (sarong etc..)

Another tip is Uniqlo - they do a lot of dow jackets and water proofs that fold in to small drawstring bags. Not suitable for really cold or wet weather but ideal to take in sping/late summer as a just in case.

Second this. I take my hamman towel everywhere!

beckslovestimmy · 13/08/2024 18:55

We did the Hungarian GP 5 days/4 nights we only had a back pack each. I took 3 pairs of shorts and 3 t shirts for each day of the GP and wore home what I wore there (bar a clean t shirt. I then took 4 evening outfits (1x dress, 2skirts and tops and 1 jump suit), also underwear and hair straighteners. We didn't get back from the track each night before 8-8:30 ish and were worn out so just went to dinner in what we wore at the track. I wore trainers and took 2 pairs of sandals. Had a small bag of travel size toiletries. This all fitted in a back pack I brought on Amazon with the correct dimensions for our airline. You just have to be organised and decide what you wearing before you go and don't take extras.

FoxRedPuppy · 13/08/2024 19:26

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 11/08/2024 22:57

Me too! I only take a shortish cotton one, so it doesn't take up much room and always gets used. I'm wondering what everyone who's aghast at the thought of a dressing gown does post shower, getting ready etc, just sit wrapped in a towel? Some hotel towels can be pretty skimpy.

I get dressed? What are you doing while sitting in your dress gown?

TheWeeDonkeyFella · 13/08/2024 21:33

FoxRedPuppy · 13/08/2024 19:26

I get dressed? What are you doing while sitting in your dress gown?

Make-up then hair usually, get dressed last.

S0livagant · 13/08/2024 22:24

FoxRedPuppy · 13/08/2024 19:26

I get dressed? What are you doing while sitting in your dress gown?

I do too. I can't 'get ready', as in drying myself, applying deodorant and getting dressed with a dressing gown or towel on.

RobinHood19 · 13/08/2024 22:52

OP I’ve been thinking of you as I was packing tonight 😂 You can definitely do what you listed with carry-on only!

Give it a good go and keep us updated - here’s what I fit into a rucksack tonight (small under seat item, not a big backpacking-in-Asia-for-6-months one):

4 pants
3 socks
2 bras
PJs
2 tops
1 long cotton trousers
1 dress
1 jumpsuit
1 thin jumper
Flat shoes
Mini make up bag (BB cream, concealer, setting powder, brush and lipstick)
Perfume, micellar water, face wash, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrush - all decanted into travel sized containers
Hairbrush
Hair straighteners
Wallet
iPad and battery pack + chargers
Some snacks

Hoping I can squeeze in lunch (sandwich) and big water bottle tomorrow.

AmIEnough · 16/08/2024 07:53

The Netherlands is not a Third World country! There are shops there. My advice would be take the bare minimum and buy whatever you need when you get there. You’d be surprised how much you can get in your hand luggage. Just wear sensible shoes on the journey that you can match with other clothes and wear a jacket or cardigan that again will go with other clothes so that your hand luggage only contains exactly what you need. Enjoy!

Beenthroughit · 16/08/2024 13:59

I personally would add a power bank, and enough usb leads, if you take a suitable adaptor for abroad with several usb sockets on it then you and dad could share one, thus cutting down what needs taking. I find I often need a power bank to keep my phone going through the day. I use either a number or a fleece with a nice big pocket to hold it. I like a few wipes for travelling and days out too, I'd bring tail ends of packets, I don't use them much at home, I also try and take a pen or small pencil, you can always get a bit of scrap paper but sometimes you can't find a pen.
I'm not a frequent flyer but do travel on trains and coaches in the UK, so my needs are perhaps a bit different but I do need to keep weight and bulk down. I have dietary needs so will take some stuff for breakfasts that isn't easy to get in shops, and usually some.coffee bags. Obviously by the time I go home, I no longer have these. I like to have a bit of extra space for anything I buy while I go away so that sort of thing helps obviously not stuffing luggage too on my way. If where I'm staying has basic toiletries I'll use those, and just bring personal stuff I need. I would bring cream deodorant/antiperspirant decanted into a little plastic bag, also anything else I will only need a little bit of, mini toiletries, if I need to bring shampoo or shower gel I'd bring my mini solid bars on other occasions, all this depends on how long. I have saved almost empty toothpaste tubes, and used them all up or for just a short stay I have filled up the toothbrush protector head with toothpaste, I've even refused little plastic bags with a squeeze top, I save those as they have many uses. I bring teeny tiny little bottles of perfume, minimum make up, if any at all, again depends on what I'm doing, I'll be bringing some when I meet up with friends in a couple of weeks.
As others have said knickers are a key thing to take. I put aside any that need to go in the bin soon and maybe wear them travelling, and discard. I have invested in nice and comfy light quick drying pairs and hav recently discovered laundry leaves, I bring enough to do as much laundry as I will need, I'd wash out in the evening, you can tear bits off. If going for longer and I'll have access to a washer, I'll just do a wash half way through. I use a long tee shirt/a short light nightie. If I am at an air BnB or suchlike I'd bring a pair of little slipper socks, that after the air BnB that was no shoes in the house but had a very cold tiled floor
If it might rain I bring a poncho, which goes over my little rucksack, and I bring a light bag I can squeeze up for days out for bits of shopping etc. I also need sticks which collapsed and stuck out of the top of the wheelie suitcase.
I would dress up outfits if need be with different scarves and costume jewellery, both of which can be lightweight, and actually last time I needed to I popped the jewellery into my glasses case
Reading all these ideas, I might well invest in some packing cubes and see if they make the clothes packing easier. OP probably you won't like the ideas I use, which is no problem, but do consider the charger/power bank and maybe some of my ideas might inspire you to work out something that you could do to make things easier for you, and later on I'll be looking for packing cubes!

StarlightLady · 16/08/2024 14:35

@Beenthroughit - Will your phone not hold enough juice for the day after an overnight charge?

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 16/08/2024 14:40

StarlightLady · 16/08/2024 14:35

@Beenthroughit - Will your phone not hold enough juice for the day after an overnight charge?

Mine doesn't! Especially not at a Grand Prix when I'm filming etc., so a power bank comes everywhere with me

OP posts:
NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 17/08/2024 11:34

Update for everyone - I'm actually managing it! All clothes, spares shoes & a rain jacket have fit in one side of the suitcase, only issue will be my liquids but my dad has barely any so it's not too big a problem

OP posts:
laylababe5 · 17/08/2024 16:41

NeedSomeAnswersPlease · 17/08/2024 11:34

Update for everyone - I'm actually managing it! All clothes, spares shoes & a rain jacket have fit in one side of the suitcase, only issue will be my liquids but my dad has barely any so it's not too big a problem

Great to hear you're managing it! You'd be surprised how little of each toiletry you need. I have the tiniest little bottles and pots for my skincare. Those mini travel toiletries are far too big for a short trip so I have 50ml bottles for those that I decant my full sizes into. Body wash is the only thing I need 100ml of. I usually buy mouthwash at my destination and leave what I don't use behind. I love my makeup and always bring a full face, but very little needs to go in my liquids bag. Do let us know how it felt to not have a carry on while travelling!

Happylivingonmyown · 17/08/2024 16:54

I solved the light packing problem by taking travel handwashing liquid with me whenever I go away: I take half of what I need that way. :-)

PrincessofWells · 17/08/2024 18:29

Happylivingonmyown · 17/08/2024 16:54

I solved the light packing problem by taking travel handwashing liquid with me whenever I go away: I take half of what I need that way. :-)

The laundry sheets are good and don't take up any liquids cabin allowance.

StarlightLady · 17/08/2024 18:46

PrincessofWells · 17/08/2024 18:29

The laundry sheets are good and don't take up any liquids cabin allowance.

They are brilliant. It’s all l use at home now.

Ineffable23 · 17/08/2024 20:57

laylababe5 · 17/08/2024 16:41

Great to hear you're managing it! You'd be surprised how little of each toiletry you need. I have the tiniest little bottles and pots for my skincare. Those mini travel toiletries are far too big for a short trip so I have 50ml bottles for those that I decant my full sizes into. Body wash is the only thing I need 100ml of. I usually buy mouthwash at my destination and leave what I don't use behind. I love my makeup and always bring a full face, but very little needs to go in my liquids bag. Do let us know how it felt to not have a carry on while travelling!

I admittedly have quite fine hair, but I have done a test and I can just squeeze 2 weeks out of a 38ml bottle for shampoo and conditioner. I wash my hair every other day. I have switched to soap for travelling to remove that as a liquid, and I bought a tiny tiny bottle of my preferred perfume (8ml, I think) which I can refill if required. I have a half size deodorant as that's much easier to fit in and it lasts plenty of holidays anyway.

OP - glad to hear the packing went to plan. Clothes in half the suitcase is what I usually aim for too.

Hope you're having an amazing time!