How do you decide what to pack?

[PlainJane007]

Whether for a weekend break or a 2 week holiday, do you lob in a few things that go together and hope for the best, or do you plan an outfit for each day/night? I always start off thinking I'll do the outfit thing, and end up with extra things 'just in case' and inevitably come back home having only worn half the items and wishing I'd brought different things. Just interested in how other people do it ... and hoping to pick up some useful gems that will transform my packing ability!

Probably stating the obvious but I check weather forecast of wherever I'm going as that usually dictates clothing to a certain extent, at least as far as boots/flats and coat/cardigans.

Then just think about the activities I'll be doing and work from there? So for a 3 day a city break I would probably pack 1 pair blue jeans 1 pair black jeans and 3 shirts/tops/jumpers for sight seeing plus 2 dresses or leather trousers plus blouse for evenings.

Plus scarves/vest for layering if weather looked uncertain ie vest could be worn under an open shirt.

HTH. I know what you mean about packers remorse though- after a city break to Edinburgh with super stylish friends when I felt so dowdy as I had literally thrown a load of non coordinating items in a suitcase 10 minutes before we left I vowed to be more organised.

I think you've nailed my problem @Acunningruse - I like to feel stylish if at all possible, and don't feel comfortable when I'm just dressed for practicality. I like the idea of vests and scarves though ... ways to change an outfit that don't require much space.

If it's a hot weather holiday, I just wear beach dresses and bikinis in the day time (these are fine for wandering around cities, having lunch, museums etc too) so I have 3 or 4 of these that I only really wear on holiday and store in the suitcase anyway. I got the more casual ones from Gap, but also got a slightly smarter one from M&S.

In the evening, I have some dresses that I wear at home and just take a couple of them, and also have things like cropped dark skinny jeans that I wear with a vest and little cardigan, but would also look good with a scarf. That's fine for the sorts of restaurants we go to.

To remind me of what to pack, I have packing lists saved on my laptop, honed over multiple trips, customised for different types, eg summer beachy holiday, city break, work trip, winter sun holiday where I might need warmer clothes for a cloudy day or cooler evening etc.

Also make use of the clothes you travel in. The right trousers/jeans, jacket and shoes can also be worn on holiday, and also save on weight in your luggage.

I wouldn't take a new outfit for every evening or every day either. If you're only wearing something for a few hours on an evening and can usually not throw food all over yourself (even I can usually manage this) then you can wear it at least two or three times.

Same for daywear, most things when only worn for part of a day can be worn 2 or 3 days. If you're going to the beach etc, you don't need clothes to be spotless anyway and if you're going somewhere warm, it's easy to rinse things in the shower and dry overnight on the balcony or terrace.

Taking cabin luggage only focuses the mind wonderfully. For up to a week away I now take only sufficient underwear, two or three tops, a spare pair of jeans/trousers, a spare pair of light shoes and a jumper or cardigan. You can go almost anywhere in a pair of linen trousers, a black long sleeved T shirt and flats. Clothes can be rinsed and dried overnight if necessary.

I took hand luggage for a 3 week holiday, it was wonderful, all I did was get it all washed twice. So liberating!

I take clothes that are made of material that doesn't wrinkle. Clothes that are of matching or contrasting colours. I pack lightly, so that if I see something I can buy it and bring it back. For cold countries, I wear all the heavy items like shoes, jumper, coat. For hot countries can hand wash or find a local launderette. I take a big, light scarf that can double as a skirt or shawl

Part of the enjoyment of a holiday is wearing nice clothes, often things you wouldn't get chance to wear at home. Just having one outfit that you have to wash out sounds grim.
I'm like BarbaraofSevillle I have packing lists for every type of holiday and I usually expect an outfit to get 2 or 3 wears.

It depends where you're going but I would look at YouTube and Pinterest for ideas. I would write a list. And, I would look at the laundry to see what I've worn over the last week as that's what I'm comfortable in and need, generally speaking.

I find taking nice clothes a waste of time as I tend to wear my normal summer clothes on holiday and my nice clothes and shoes never get worn, but my holidays involve a lot of walking, and I always need a big bag/back pack daily. I tend to pack tunic dresses, 1 pair of flip flops 1 pair of trainers, and I wear my jeans and jumper for the flight.

Travelled round hot Asia for a month, took 13 kg of clothes. Washed everything once, it dried the same day, half way through the holiday. Under wear can be hand washed daily in hot countries. I bought a couple of pairs of light trousers & tops from markets. Dont want to travel round with a really heavy bag.

Also you don't need to wash them yourself, I always take mine to a laundry place.

I prefer to have a nice range of things that I will enjoy wearing and look good in. Otherwise, what’s the point?! But I do stick to a couple of colour families so that everything coordinates.

I also find that the small things take way longer to assemble and pack than the clothes, but can make or break the experience. It is so annoying to get somewhere and have to start traipsing around looking for medicine, contact lenses, hair accessories or something to read.

Reading these replies it's obvious that different kinds of holidays require different wardrobes.
I hadn't considered hiking on holiday with a backpack, so obviously a wildly different experience than flopping on a beach all day and going out to nice restaurants in the evening.
Also travelling is a little different to a weekend break or fortnight holiday.

To me a holiday is a chance to wear things I never would at home (as I never go out anywhere). I am not limited to a budget so I don't have to limit luggage. I don't want to have to go shopping either at the airport or on arrival so I pack everything but the kitchen sink all necessary toiletries. I do as MaybeDoctor says try to make sure things go together.

I read a tip on here. I downloaded a list app on my phone then review it after each trip.
Prevents me taking evening sandals on a beach holiday when I just wear flip flops. And taking a winter coat for the car when we land.

My holidays usually involve a fair bit if traveling so I don't bother with evening wear or makeup as I just don't get a chance to wear them. I take about 5 day dresses, jeans/cut off shorts, 3 t shirts:tops, sandals/flip flops and trainers.

I have found that taking nicer/ co ordinating clothes makes it easier to cover all the bases.
I do layers and separates rather than my normal dresses except for a beach dress. Those thin slouchy slightly see through tops with vests underneath - because it helps look the right temperature

Always take: a couple of big scarves for jazzing up plain outfits/head rest for beach
Leather ( pvc because I’m poor) trousers. Dress up or down.
My thin black cotton harem jumpsuit
3 pairs of shoes one of which will be boots - converse in the summer , suede flats in the winter.

Thank you all for the tips and sorry for slow reply... I've been away! I was skiing which nobody's mentioned here, but managed to pack the right things this time. I guess it just takes a bit of thought beforehand rather than my usual 'night before' rush.