Capsule holiday wardrobe - one sunny week

[Glowlamp]

Help! I've not been away for so long I don't know what to pack!
I'm also trying for cabin only baggage (may fail!)
I'd love your ideas please... Turns out I have more summer clothes than I thought.

We're off on holiday tomorrow, a week in Turkey at a 5* AI (due to DH being made redundant in July then getting a new job last week so I booked a very last minute deal because I booked my leave in April and was desperate to go on holiday!)

I have 3 bikinis, 1 dress, 1 pair of shorts, 2 skirts and 7 vest tops plus underwear for the week with a pair of flip-flops and sandals. We have 6kg each - Thomas Cook are so generous I'm just on 6kg so hoping my scales are slightly off!

If going to a sunny destination we always just take hand luggage.
Something like:
2 bikinis
3 dresses
Flip flops
Sandals
Shorts
Skirt
T shirts/vest tops
Underwear

Travel in a jacket that you can wear at night.

Ooh thank you! This is very useful. I have 10k x 4 (2 adults 2 kids). Easy to take very little for the kids and hubby. It's my packing I'm terrible at. Have 2 super lightweight cases - pray for me
My dilemma is putting kiddy booster seats in the luggage, they are pretty small tho and saves getting them there.
Also planning suncream etc on arrival but have diddy bottles for emergency!
Hope you have a lovely time in Turkey.

Bananajam - you must be a super packer - I'm in awe.

Please can I ask why you would want to take cabin baggage only? I have a professional bugbear against any unnecessary cabin baggage - I work on aeroplanes and watched in horror as people left the Vegas flight last week towing their wheelie bags away from a burning plane. It causes problems for airline staff you would not believe when everyone turns up with their maximum entitlement.

Wrt packing light: you can get away with very little in a hot place if you are prepared to accessorise. As I said, I work on the planes, and often go to hot places. I take a couple of little black jersey dresses that can be thrown on over a bikini with a pair of flip flops, or dressed up with a belt and necklace with a pair of wedge heels. Decant all your toiletries down, or buy them when you get there. Clothes take up very little space. It tends to be shoes, bags, and wash bags that take up the space. Don't take anything bulky like straighteners or a hairdryer.

Why don't you pay for some hold luggage?

I did this with cabin baggage of 5kg.
2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of very lightweight palazzo pants
2 tankini/swimsuits
1 dress
6 lightweight or vest tops
Lightweight trainers & sandals
Underwear.

I bought toiletry miniatures from the airport.

Try to pack things that all work off the same colour palette, so for example, I would choose navy, grey and khaki (with a splash of neon pink for accessories e.g. a clutch, tassel necklace). That way, everything is interchangeable. One pair of sandals (preferably a bit sparkly/metallic so that they work in the evening too) and one pair of pumps.

Re why I am doing it. I want to be out of the airport quick if possible. Some driving to do after.... Also it stops me from packing the kitchen sink!
There is no way I would be hanging about to grab my suitcase from a burning plane!!! My DP is a fireman - he was shocked by that too.
Hopefully I won't be using all of my allowance. I know it causes problems as it leaves very little space in overhead lockers, people having to travel with items at their feet etc. I guess it's just a result of airline pricing policy? But I'm no expert.

Very grateful for all of the packing tips. I'm sticking to similar colours and cheap jewellery. Like the neon pink idea!