Top tips for holiday capsule wardrobe?

[Viewofthehills]

All you expert clothes people out there!

Going to Australia for three weeks at Easter and getting a bit bogged down in my piles of shabby summer clothes. What should I get if buying new? Doing a mix of city and beach resort.

Typically for me I have the kids sorted and a plan for the DH ( only snag is that it involves him having to go into a shop and trying on).

Others will be able to advise on what to wear in Oz but in terms of packing I have a failsafe routine. I list out the days I'm away & where I'll be / if it's a beach/visiting etc day. Then I go through my wardrobe and try stuff on and write it down next to a day. If it is uncomfy at home there is no point taking it as you won't wear it. It makes it very easy to then match shoes and bags to each outfit. I take far less since I've been packing like this - with the right shoes, belt & bag one dress can be great for beach, evening and sightseeing. I love a list It makes packing for the next holiday a lot easier of you keep your list for next time.

Stick to a colour palette -- like 3 colours that will go so you can pack fewer shoes & use necklaces and scarves to accessory.

Where in Oz are you going? Easter can be cold depending how far south you are. Also depending on the city you are going to you might want different things. I'd pack slightly different clothes if I was spending three weeks in Sydney (slightly more stylish fashionable) to three weeks in Melbourne(A bit more understated and funky).

But here goes
1 -2 trousers
1 -2 skirts
1 pretty jersey dress ( which can be day or night and doesn't need to be irons)
2- 4 short sleeve tops
2-4 vest tops
1-2 long sleeve tops
1 nice jacket/blazer (where on plane)
several pairs of earnings
several necklaces
2-3 pretty scarves

swimmers/bathers
exersize clothes and trainers (if that's your thing)
comfortable but pretty sandals
covered shoes/boots (can wear on the plane)
If you are going south pack a bit more warm stuff if your up north a bit more cooler stuff
Towel (I never travel without one!)

Also i tend to wear a black jersey dress with black yoga pants on the plane. It's a comfy outfit looks smartish and then covers part of my exersize clothes (yoga pants) and doubles as a outfit.

Take some proper shoes or sandals. Flip flops (thongs) are not allowed in pubs, bars etc in a lot of Oz, certainly the places I've been.

They have some nicest dresses in mantaray in Debenhams

Thank you all so much-you've all made me feel quite inspired.
Hazchem, I'm going to print out your list! And will think accessories- I usually forget.
Going to Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin and finishing up on the Barrier Reef.
I lived in Adelaide for a year where I learned to my cost for example that summer clothes are NOT what you wear to a Christmas do. (more little black dress sort of thing) and that 'resort wear' is really it's own genre

Gosh what an amazing trip!
Adelaide is a strange place
I've not been to Darwin but I'd probably add a pair of shorts into the mix also.

Yes,def shorts for Darwin- going on a 4WD tour for 2 days. DD already worrying about crocs. No prob with those sorts of clothes tho', that's easy.

How do you think Adelaide is strange? Loved living there, but we mostly made friends with other transients like us who were only there for a short time. Made friends with people from Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Latvia, UK. But now I think about it none who actually were just from Adelaide ,which was a bit odd, but then I guess maybe they already had their friends!

This is kind of our holiday of the decade- will be spent out for quite some time, but can't wait! :)