Have I packed too many clothes?

[OtherCoraline]

Going away on Tuesday to France until Sunday. I would love to know if I’ve overpacked as I have a tendency to, but the weather is unpredictable and forecast keeps changing. I’ve packed:

For me:

1 x pair of leggings
4 x t shirts
3x dresses
Will wear jeans and hoodie to airport so will have those too

DD (8):

1x princess dress (going to Disney)
2x leggings
1x skirt
1x shorts
5 x tops
1x hoodie
1x dungaree dress
Will wear jeans and hoodie to airport too

DS (6):
6x t shirts
1x jeans
1x joggers
1x jumper
1x shorts
1x trousers
Will wear jeans and hoodie to airport too

And all have underwear/socks for length of trip. DD particularly is a one wear child, she always manages to get stuff on her clothes! DH is selecting his own stuff but we’re all sharing 1x suitcase so I don’t want to take more than necessary. What do you think? I really don’t want to have to buy clothes there.

Sounds perfect to me .better to take it and not need it than need it and not have it

You could just pack a small bottle of clothes wash if you're worried you might need to wash something? Would be better than buying extra clothes while away.

@countrysidedeficitwere staying at a Disney hotel so I don’t think that’s possible. Great idea for others though!

I used to have to travel a lot for work and I also did used to take a small bottle of clothes soap and just hand wash things. Drying is the fiddly bit, but might be okay at this time of year because it will either be warm out or the heating will be on. Alternatively you could schedule a trip to a laundrette mid week if there is one.

It's okay in a hotel. You just wash things in the bathroom sink. Or the hotel might do laudry service if you ask.

I think it’s probably okay for the kids but I’d want at least one more pair of trousers for me.

I think you need another pair of trousers or leggings. (You can always wear leggings with the dresses if it's cold too.)
We are on same length break and I came in leggings, dress and jeans jacket. Also bought 2 long dresses (1 is going home clean) 2 pairs trousers, 2 shirts, 1 hoodie, and 2 long sleeve tops. 1 long sleeve top going home clean and 1 pair trousers only worn this morning for a few hours. I also bought a waterproof I haven't needed.

@mynameiscalypsoyes, I did have a skirt but took it out. Think it’s going back in!

No rain jackets?

When my son was small I used to send our luggage by courier in a big box. It cost £30 each way from east anglia to scotland and made life so much easier. I'm not sure what the cost would be to Europe and whether the hotel would acommodate that.

I just checked and DPD will send 30kg to France for £18. The box would be 60cm cube. That might make things easier.

This is the page. It's DPD classic.
https://www.dpd.com/de/en/sending/parcel-shipping/

@Dox9yes, will be wearing them to airport ☺️

Wow @MaryPoppinsAtAll, that is a good deal!

Thanks, yes, it was an absolute lifesaver when my DS was tiny. I had relatives in two different countries, who I used to go to when DH was away. Travelling with the big bugaboo pram was hard enough without all the suitcases and stuff. The whole postal luggage thing really made my day every time.

You can buy house moving boxes like these. They are really strong and resuable multiple times.

https://tinyurl.com/nhf3x727

Dont think you need to courier luggage ahead for a short break to France! A carry on is plenty.
OP my first thought was another pair of trousers etc so glad you are going with extra skirt. I always find Disney parks quite grimy work walking round all day so nice to have a fresh top to change into on the odd evening if you are inclined to go back and do that anytime.

Change of shoes/trainers? Disney is hard on your feet, I’d want another pair just to give them a rest.

We are (and were, when DC were younger) light packers, so if I was looking at that list and space/weight was limited I would be thinking:

• DS does not need jeans and joggers (I assume that's jogging bottoms) and shorts and trousers, unless he has frequent "accidents". I would drop at least one and probably two of those. Certainly shorts for mid-April in Paris seems optimistic (ditto for DD), even without the unimpressive weather forecast.
• Both DC can probably survive with fewer tops. Tuesday to Sunday is 5 nights, so DS doesn't need 6 t-shirts (plus the one he's wearing for the flight out). It won't kill them to wear the same one twice.

Also, while you may not be planning to shop while there, the Disney merch is amazing quality. Expensive, but it lasts for ever. So leave room for one or two souvenirs, which can be proudly worn on the plane home.

Unless there is a problem with accidents, I would reduce the amount of trousers. Even with some stains, they can be worn again.

Does you DD really need a skirt and a dress? Unless it suddenly says it will be boiling I would leave the shorts at home.

Honestly, take a raincoat and some fleeces. The forecast for the week isn’t great. It’s currently chucking it down in southern France.

It’s tricky in spring or autumn, you do need to pack more as you can’t predict the weather! I’d also go for one more pair of trousers or jeans, just in case the others get dirty, and maybe one fewer dress.

You haven't included pyjamas on your list, although I expect they'll have their eyes on a Disney set in any case. And ridiculous slippers.

Another pair of trainers each would make sense in case of a torrential downpour or them finding somewhere with water to splash in.

I know this sounds snobby, but unless you're exclusively going to be in Disney I wouldn't wear leggings in France as an adult. It's just not really the clothing to fit in.

@NeverDropYourMooncupnot wasting space with slippers, didn’t even think to! Each have a pair of pyjamas, one Disney one not. Everyone is taking a pair of trainers in their carry on.

@RollerSkateLikePeggytotally get what you mean but I think it will be exclusively Disney ☺️