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!😩

Packing cubes, roll everything, travel.sized toiletries (or buy there and leave behind)...or if you really can't then see if you can add hold luggage to.your booking now.

I am bazonked by people that take hair tools and robes when 'traveling light'.

I frequently do three/four night trips.

A dress that I will wear with a blazer and casual shoes to travel.

Another pair of shoes to glam it up a bit.

5 pairs of knickers.

Depending on where I'm going ONE alternative outfit, it's completely destination dependent.

A smaller handbag/ clutch.

Another pair of shoes that go with all outfit combos.

Small makeup and skincare pouch.

Electric toothbrush.

Charger/adapter.

Passport.

One payment card.

Phone.

Scent minis.

Belf/scarf.

Swimwear if needed.

That's all one needs.

Really!

Let hair dry naturally and ditch the hairdryer, ditch makeup entirely - no one actually needs it! Ditto jewellery, although it won't save space really. No need for perfume - no one can tell!
I know, I know, everyone will jump on to say how awful their hair/skin is and how they cannot live without hairdryer/straighteners/foundation, but it's honestly the only way to pack light.

I'm in Italy for two weeks on a 10kg checked bag. Now, it's boiling, so the clothes are less bulky than winter clothes, but I have a pair of shorts, a pair of linen culottes and a pair of wide legged trousers, five linen tops, underwear, a swimsuit, one tiny sports towel in case of doing water sports (behave), a pair of trainers (wore on plane) and one pair of comfy sandals. Two bras, one to wear, one to wash. No toiletries other than my own toothbrush and suncream I like, oh, and hayfever tablets (took sleeve of pills out of box) - they have everything in supermarkets and often enough left in various apartments we are renting. Have not had to buy shampoo, soap or conditioner yet! Did buy deodorant and toothpaste though. Plug adapters x 2 with multiple USB ports, so just charging cables not the plugs.

Only item I haven't yet used is a light shawl, which I will need in Rome in case we visit churches and I have bare shoulders. Also useful on trains/plane if air con is fierce.

PJs can be nothing (best) or pants/t shirt from the day, if needed.

Also helps that we are not ones for big nights out - often we cook/eat cold food from supermarket in our apartment. Not a beach holiday, so one swimsuit is plenty.

Went to Florida for two weeks, took 7 dresses and two pairs of sandals. Wore warm stuff and trainers to travel in.

I use packing cubes, but I think I don't have the most compressive ones - I just bought random ones from Amazon.

What are people's tips for best brands?

As for Grand Prix packing: wear trainers, jeans & T-shirt to travel both ways, plus carry jacket.

Then pack
2 team shirts (but, really??? )
4 pairs of pants
3 pairs of socks
basic toiletries
pyjamas
Dress for evening
second pair of shoes - get a pair that pack very flat.

That'll go in an EasyJet carry on easily.

I packed for 2 weeks for in Santa Cruz in an EasyJet carry-on size suitcase & I was working so needed relatively formal looking clothes and shoes.

Here for the tips. I’m a very light packer but I am extremely low maintenance and find the hassle of carrying around extra stuff and needing to sort it out when I get back home worse than putting up with not having everything with me.

• Always book somewhere with a washing machine where possible and only wash things when they are dirty
• Use hairdryer and toiletries supplied
• Simplify skincare just for the short time you are away, you can go back to lots of products when you get home
• Instead of pjs take loungewear or gym wear as this is more versatile
• Fold things in the shape of the spaces in your bag - there’s often a column taken up by the pull handle that you can fill in.
• Have a smaller bag ready with just the things you need for the flight. Squash it in your bag to get on the flight and take it out when boarded.
• A scarf or something like that has many uses.

Wear jeans, day shoes, socks, shirt, light scarf, light jacket. Carry a small handbag suitable for evenings.

Pack 2 sets underpants, 2 pairs socks, 2 shirts, 2 team shirts, one block colour wrap skirt, one scarf, one lightweight convertible evening dress, one pair shorts, bathers, any medication, one lipstick, one combined mini concealer/foundation, travel sized skin product (decant into 10 ml container if necessary), one pair evening shoes, phone, passport, charger cable, lightweight folding hat.

Drop by a chemist as soon as you get to your destination and get some paracetamol, san pro and travel sized toiletries (incl hair products, mouthwash, soap, comb or travel brush, tiny toothpaste, toothbrush, skin cream, deodorant, sunscreen), buy plastic poncho if it rains, do not take hair dryer/curler/books/perfume/bulk makeup/bulk skincare or large bottles of hair products.

If there longer than 2 days, pack 3 laundry sheets. If no laundry in Airbnb, then find laundromat and wash and dry every third day - pop into a nearby cafe if you can and have coffee while the laundry runs.

You'll have to make some sacrifices, you can't take everything you'll want. But reassure yourself that if you forget something essential, you can always buy it at your destination and, if necessary, buy another suitcase at the airport on the way home for your extra things.

Pay for an extra bag, it's a lot less stressful, and you can do it any time.

Well yes… anyone can pack light if they don’t care too much about style. Saying to someone who is very obviously into clothes / style “ just don’t wear make up and let your hair dry naturally and why not get some walking trousers that zip off at the knee” isn’t really going to cut it. I can pack on hand luggage ok but I have to spend time working it out. Im going to Italy on hand luggage in a month but I’m already planning the clothes on Stylebook. I see it as a style challenge rather than a deprivation. It sounds like your days will be long so something comfortable for wearing with the shirts . ( shorts / trousers ) What’s happening in the evening? Out for dinner or something else? I’d probably pick items that consistently feel nice to wear. I have a T shirt dress from Cos and some Teva sandals that are so comfortable and I love so I’d would happily wear them all the time. Those are my must haves so I’d probably start from there. I have short hair and I need straighteners but I have mini ones. If you have long hair and you feel nice with it tied back do that - it’s chic. I don’t need much make up - My must haves are concealer, mascara and a lip colour. I’ve got some products from Nudistix & a small palette from Jones Road but lots of products do double duty. If it’s hot a light fragrance is nice — a tester or small bottle - Stories do little perfume oils with a roller but I did buy a collection of small spray bottles from Amazon that are useful for liquids. I don’t wear tons of jewellery usually so it’s a nice to have for me not a must have. Sunglasses make a big difference for me so I’d say a pair is a must have. Practical bag is a must have but you only need one. Jacket is a must have but can be worn for the flight. ( choose one with pockets). Hat may be a must have or nice to have depending on the weather forecast but again wear it there. Underwear…. Well obviously only you know if that’s a must have. I’d take a tiny nightie or sleep in the buff. Really your main style decisions will be evening time and that comes down to how creative you can be with the smallest amount of items.

Each to their own then but I do makeup and dry my hair first (not exactly sitting around!), getting dressed is the last thing I do.

Can you post a list of what you are currently planning to take so we have help you cut it down? I am finding it hard to imagine how with BA’s generous cabin baggage allowance and you only going for 4 days that you are struggling to make this work. Not criticising you at all, just wondering what you are planning to take that is taking up all the room in your suitcase.

So wear the dressing gown the hotel provides.

Packing list so far is as follows

2 x team shirts
2 x normal tops, for the Friday & flying home
2 x shorts, I will be on my period towards the end of the trip so I don’t know if I'll want to wear my denim shorts or not so taking a back up pair of cycling shorts
8 x pants - I know it seems excessive but like I said I'll be due on my period and my dad won't enjoy seeing my pants washed and dried in the apartment!
4 x socks
1 x sandals for if we do go out of an evening
1 or 2 dresses for the evening
A spare pair of trainers if I have the room

Toiletries:
Face wash
Moisturiser
Retinol
SPF
Deodorant
Tiny shampoo & conditioner - I have extensions so can't just grab a cheap bottle in the supermarket
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Makeup - concealer, foundation, brow gel & mascara

Others:
Book (or 2)
Phone & charger
Portable charger & charger
Watch & charger
Radio & headphones for the race
First aid etc

Another tip for travelling light is to go with a bloke.

They take damn all, so you can fit a lot of your stuff in THEIR bag. I do this all the time if not travelling alone. If going alone, it's minimal and I re-wear a lot of clothes. Only you will know, believe me.

Yeah to be fair my dad has been very openly saying he's taking one top and one pair of shorts 🤣 may end up being my solution

For the dressing gown lovers out there, bring a beach cover up, you know, those very light gossamer type things and use that. They fold into nothing.

My clothes and shoes are not that excessive. I just seem to have a lot of 'stuff'.
Hair products
Hairdryer because I never like the hotel ones
Hair brushes to style my hair
Power banks
Sunglasses
Loads of medication

All my 'stuff' takes the space of a bag all by itself

I could buy shampoo and body wash there but I use special shampoo for grey hair and SPF for my face that I can't get in many places. Even if I didn't bring them, the other stuff is still a bag full

This is my issue!! I've decanted 1 wash worth of shampoo and conditioner into tiny bottles but my skincare etc seems like a lot and it feels like I have a lot of liquids

The weather is literally changing everyday so I have no idea what that's gonna be like either!

Part of this depends who you are flying with. Carry on allowances vary greatly, even when bag sizes are similar. For example BA have a max of 23 Kg plus a small handbag/rucksack.

l’m not quite sure why you need to take much extra “bits” for your period. Is the difference not minimal? Remember Tampax etc can be bought locally on arrival.

Tee shirts and tops take up minimal space. You can also wash things through.

Like I said, if I'm bloated etc I'm not going to want to wear denim shorts and then need night pads etc., because we're so active I want to take the pads I can trust

What does going to a Grand Prix actually involve?

Mainly standing/sitting around surely.

In our case a lot of walking (staying an hour's walk from the track), and sitting in possible rain

Several posts including your follow ups landed while l was typing, otherwise l would have added a little more.

Unless you are really staying at the back of beyond, most well known brands should be available locally. Likewise toiletries.

With Shampoos and Conditioners, a different shampoo should make minimal difference . It stays on your head for minutes and is washed away. Conditioner is different because after rinsing, it is designed to remain in your hair.

lf you really think this is going to ruin your trip though, you can add hold luggage to your booking now. Beware though, l’ve had hold luggage lost twice, which is why I prefer to have it in the cabin with me.

I am definitely not a light packer (I am a nightmare for taking stuff "just in case") but I have a Kipling duffle bag that is like a tardis that I can get up to 8 days worth of stuff in and then habe a small backpack with my cosmetics bag and day stuff.

I recently paid more for hold baggage on a 7 day trip to the USA and then saw on the flight that most people's "hand luggage" was bigger than my hold luggage😁

Where I do free up room is shoes - on recent 8 day trip to France I just wore birkenstocks and took no other shoes and for the afrementioned US trip I wore trainers on the flight and just packed a pair of metallic supergas for smarter and light ballet flats for the evening. No heels.

I also don't take a hair drier etc.. and pack v light on the make up and use the soap and body wash provided by the hotel.

I always snigger at the airport when I see people with massive suitcases for a weeks holiday.

Personally I CBA carrying it and then having to unpack it / put it away (unused when you return).

If you are an over packer - ask yourself why?

Is it anxiety? Preparing for the unexpected and the feeling of losing control when leaving home.

Comfort - finding comfort in bringing more than they need.

Coping - overpacking helps people cope with distance from home or emotions from stressful situations.

After years of business travel I always travel very light (hand luggage for a week, I’m off to Asia for a month soon and will travel with just one small medium size check in).

My top tips:

Mini size / decant toiletries into travel bottles and the absolute minimum only. You don’t need shower gel (it’s in the hotel), serums, face masks etc.

You don’t need a hair dryer (it’s in the hotel) or straighteners etc. You can go without for a week.

You don’t need a different outfit every day. Plan plan plan what you are going to wear and make sure you can mix & match things.

Shoes take up a huge amount of room - so be really ruthless.