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!😩

Travel outfit (wear it both travel days)
then you need to capsule wardrobe so if it’s four days.
day 1- shorts and top A
night 1 - dress
day 2 shorts with top B
night 2 - dress
day 3 -skirt with Top C
night 3- travel pants( jeans) with t shirt B
day 4- shorts with top C
Night 4- skirt with top A

if you get anything dirty be prepared with a small tub of wash powder and then hang it to dry.

Oh a small case and carry on is easy. I thought you meant Ryan air size hand luggage only, which tbh is really tiny. Easy jet are positively generous in comparison.

I’m going to Berlin for 4 nights with hand luggage. I’m very low maintenance though. I’ll take one pair of trainers and a pair of sandals. Two pairs of shorts, 5 tops. One pair pjs. Don’t bother changing for going out in evening.

We are on hols at the moment after years of being married to DH, I'm a very minimalist packer, away for two weeks, 2 dresses, three pairs pants, cozzie, two bras, a sleep vest and shorts, one pair of tan sandals, one cardigan, same necklace, earrings every day. Medication, deodorant, make-up. There is a washing machine.

Just wear most of your clothes, jeans,jacket boots.
Then roll a t shirt, a couple dresses,sandals , sorted.

Just buy toiletries when you get there

It's toiletries/grooming and shoes that need to go.

I wear trainers to travel and I'm going to wear them pretty much the whole trip. Maybe some flip-flops or very thin flat sandals.

Rely on the hotel having a hairdryer. A moisturiser with Spf, (cheap) night cream that can double as body lotion and hand cream, deodorant, foundation, lip balm.

Roll, not fold, clothes.

We just did 10 nights with one 20kg case to share and a small under seat bag each, for 3 people.

You aren’t going to the middle of the desert, I didn’t bring any toiletries (other than toothbrush and toothpaste), I went to the nearest Lidl when we arrived and bought shampoo, deodorant, tampons, sun creams etc.

have a look on Amazon for an underwear bag, you will be amazed how much you can get in one (I did a week last year in Spain with just one of those - we was in a small camper van so really needed to pack light).

Agree with PP re clothes that don’t need ironing, I have lived in jersey style wide leg trousers, vests and jumpsuits that can be dressed up or down. Wore trainers in the airport, and brought 1 pair of flip flops, a pair of wedges and a nice pair of flat sandals.

Crossed Canada taking 4 weeks with only a carry on case and small day pack. Took only 4 pairs of pants and about 4 t-shirts. How? I hand washed and dried over night. I took wool t shirts, pricey but the dry overnight and can be worn for more than 1 days before they smell. I also took washing leaves (seriously easy to pack) and an elastic travel washing line.
Washing leaves:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leaf-Brilliant-Concentrated-Alternative-Detergents/dp/B0B5XP4R13/ref=sr112sspa?crid=2M9NL2VNYAGOW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CRvBkbCgbbpJ5j97VMVfS1j9Xmmx9V4xprcW-AoDUaybRw-PRtzyD8eqgAiU2XzPBwfpa6K66Yudk2hNDamZQ08nlUUNjMHd3ID45AOInvGi6TP4rE1bDFayYLUCcEKjfW48qQo7g7yxMxyHXGOPINQHc8shrL2U6TTYbEFaHgH7Fk9A60FefdYKm-z4XQDiGcffHdqX4Yhh7DlnpLIBkCsSaPcoAXBVqq9KfbKCO6tySZFJgkPwOp14kN2vvbxTpUL7tjPiE5-Joodg-N56vbnNL0XW1a4WcHJGpeh5z4.bZH4E2d6MElyLuqAxdrT1tDlqwmYiDlh1USjPlT0BjY&dibtag=se&keywords=washing%2Bleaves%2Bfor%2Blaundry&qid=1723395796&rdc=1&sprefix=washing%2Bleaves%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-2-spons&sppcsd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Washing line:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clothesline-Portable-Windproof-Attachments-Outdoors/dp/B0B82PQ99W/ref=sr119?crid=M0O4PTX9VYI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bCyLPKmW6195biZmv3HMqDXxbhkvNvN8K-yYHAPMAjH2h09bezs4xH3vESqHC37dTbn5Zo2y2711Hs7fOGBqtkr0DRPxRdlB9BSB4vzh2biKGIxUVezoCDyFO8RTBjvvAgeVcRiU03DF5w31Cgg88WcJqLQaXwBkx4wIvfc0vFLV8bZGx-LvvLLvl1xeck1bDqOHXiA9kH-NewdjQBk2oFUDwo1hRPa7kpaAlj0VrXwiaXUtcbGKvHvYhKFgw2EGuTf1BNiF5OS661FcPzgOL9t0qzkgNSuYuJHcvI0.Y-grAtcM9z7tM5bjjnzAhvb2hbKaj0gez4TXuqCCNc&dib_tag=se&keywords=travel+washing+line+for+cruise+ship&qid=1723396000&sprefix=travel+washing+line%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-9

I can’t pack light, but I don’t want to. I love my clothes and I love having my creature comforts to hand. Sorry, no tips from me!

Dressing gown and slippers? I don’t even have those at home!

I'm going away at the weekend. Four nights. I'll bring

One pair linen trousers
Three tee-shirts
One bra
Five pants / chaff shorts
Birkenstocks
One dress (maybe two)
Two skirts (maybe one)
Babyliss big hair
One pair trainers (maybe)
One swimsuit
Small make up bag - shadow stick, mascara, eyeliner, light foundation, powder and puff
Toothpaste/ brush / comb / lens stuff / glasses

Will wear - linen trousers, tee shirt, trainers, jacket

We went away recently and I brought 21kg! Way overpacked. Didn't wear some stuff.

If you're flying with BA you get a proper carry on suitcase. That will have plenty of space.

Also why would a Grand Prix be stinky? Genuinely asking. You're going to be sitting down / walking around.

Presumably the AirBnB has a hairdryer straighteners are unnecessary. Travel size shampoo & shower gel, toothbrush & paste, and deodorant - all fit in a v small make up bag. Absolutely don't need a dressing gown! I do like slippers but, if not provided by hotel, the very thin travel ones are fine to stop you skidding on wet floors. One spare pair of shoes (stick to trainers or Converse, as they go with everything). As everyone says, few basic colours, so you can mix and match.
Check weather forecast carefully before you go, so you don't take unnecessary jumpers and coats.

Oops forgot pyjamas!

Dressing gown and slippers?? Do you really need those?

No one needs to take a dressing gown!

This is my problem!!! Obviously taking study/comfy shoes for the race but then don't want to put them back on if we go out of an evening!

I wear multiple layers of clothes on the plane, and make sure they have pockets. And I generally am prepared to do some hand washing.

I take just shampoo not shampoo and shower gel. I reason that for a few days I can use shampoo as shower gel. It doesn't work the other way round. Little things like that can save space.

Agree about travelling in trainers and packing sandals, but you can fit a weeks worth of undies, rolled up, in one trainer! So if you have to pack them, use them as in-case storage.

And I travel back in what I travelled out in. I hang the top up, in side out, when I get to my destination, and spray it liberally with deodorant. It's fine for the journey back, so one less thing to pack.

You're only going to the GP for 4 nights. We only took a back pack each when we went and came home with clean clothes.
For a week k only take a cabin case, I wouldn't know what to take to fill a big one

I can travel light.

Mostly I choose not to.

What helps:

Going somewhere there is a washing machine and dryer or line outside (much much fewer clothes)

No toiletries (buy there)
No make up (don't use)

Hot countries easier to pack light - the clothes are not as bulky.

Kindle not books.

As others have said:

Plan outfits in a very limited colour way eg, navy, white, tan, gold.

Two pair of shoes only:

1. A pair of white trainers to travel in and walk around in
2. A pair of pretty but comfortable flat gold sandals that dress things up.

Wear a bumbag to travel with and run around with by day
Pack a small, flat gold crossbody bag to dress things up

Toiletries:
Decant anything vital (your own face wash, moisturiser, face spf, foundation, perfume) into tiny bottles from Muji.
Pick up simple wipes, mini deodorant, mini shampoo and conditioner, mini body spf if you need it - and a bar of soap once you're airside.

Use the hotel's hairdryer and take a couple of hair elastics and scrunchies so you can put your hair on a ponytail if it's being a nightmare.

Muji packing cubes.

Again, we're going to a Grand Prix so no capsule wardrobe - it's team shirts for the two days of the race that we're there

If I am going away for a week, I wear dresses or jumpsuits that can be dressed up and down, one pair of sparkly sandals for going at night, one pair or trainers, one pair of flip flops, I wear the same jewellery all week, all my essential toiletries I can pack into one toiletry bag (think about what skin care products etc you can last without just fire for a week - you won't turn into a hag!), books on kindle for travelling, music on phone. In winter, pretty much the same except I wear a pair of smart boots suitable for walking in all day and pack a pair of heels for the evening, two pairs of jeans, four nice tops and three day-to-night dresses (one of which I will be wearing to travel). A pretty knock out coat is essential to pull it all together. I used to travel a lot for work (journalist) and I can pack in half an hour.

Sorry, just saw your update. Cheap t-shirts from the supermarket are great for wearing under team shirts to keep them clean. Easily rolled up and take up very little room.

BA carry on allowance is pretty generous compared with other airlines and you can take a backpack for under the seat. You will manage fine.

How are you packing, what's your approach to putting stuff in the case?

I've just flown with BA - we're away for two week trip. I've got 8 pairs pants/socks, 2 bras, 5 bikinis, 3 beach cover ups, 4 long dresses, 4 pairs trousers, 2 pairs shorts, 5 skirts, 2 cardis, about 8 tshirts/blouses, 4 pairs shoes (inc 1 pair sandals) and a jumper. One wash bag and one make up bag. Couple of books etc. All in a carry on suitcase and under seat bag with space to spare.

You need to roll tightly lengthways, don't fold! Lots of long thin sausages wedged together. Stuff things inside other things (undies/hairbrushes in shoes, for eg), fill every little gap. Decant your fave toiletries and buy stuff like toothpaste when you get there. Wear the bulkiest stuff on the plane if you need to.

Granted the weather for this trip should be consistent and it's much harder if you're taking jumpers etc but just 4 days in a standard carry on is so doable!