Tips for holiday packing

[sortingmyselfoutslowly]

Things I have discovered:
Only take clothes you really like.
Roll dresses to pack.
Make sure separates eg tops and shorts actually go together.
Check dress code for evening if going on a cruise or all inclusive resort.
Take more sun cream than you think you need.
Any more?

Try everything on before you go, try the full outfit with accessories and shoes
I do this in full length mirror before I go , then I know that everything looks good and coordinates
I feel more confident in knowing that I can just pull full outfits together

Try to stick to one colour of costume Jewellery / sandals - I take one pair of nice gold leather evening flat sandals and all my costume Jewellery will be gold tone so that everything matches

I take cheap £1 flip flops to wear at beach / water park then if they get lost or ruined It's no big deal

Pack about ten empty carrier bags
Use these for various things : hanging on back of bathroom door to pop in worn underwear / keep in bag for beach for putting in wet items / one in day bag for trips in case kids are travel sick etc etc

Try to stick to a colour theme for the kids i.e. Blue and white and navy then everything matches and co ordinates and not left with any random unworn items

If somewhere with a washing machine, you only really need 3 outfits. (I still haven't learnt this yet)
Take a big blue IKEA bag for the beach.

Put all your toiletries in said carrier bags, so if they leak, ur whole case doesn't get ruined

I try and plan a few additional outfits for the evenings and lay everything out and then half it....never wear everything I pack anyway. I don't pack heels because my feet swell up in the heat and jewelled flip flops look great day and evening. I roll everything up including towels and have never had to use an iron in the last 30 odd years I have travelled.
I buy sun lotion at the airport or on arrival as it's cheaper and put any lotions, shampoo etc in a toiletry bag and double bag it and tie at the top....learnt the hard way when I opened my case my clothes were covered in body lotion!!

Take all your clothes in a colour scheme, eg black and white with perhaps just one or two tops of a contrasting colour such as jade.
Or
Select say a multi coloured skirt and take three or four different coloured tops that will go with that single skirt.
This will depend on what is available in your wardrobe of course.

Before you pack, lay everything you plan to take out on the bed, and select about a third of it to put back in the wardrobe!

Don't take many pairs of shoes.

Take travel size shampoo etc etc Don't forget a small first aid kit.

I can't close my case! I have 4 bikinis / swimsuits, 5 evening outfits, 5 day outfits and 3 day dresses plus 3 sandals (flip flops, birkenstocks and smart sandals). Pjs and loads of pants! Light dressing gown, sarong; hotel slippers; 2 evening bags and beach bag, beach towel, toiletries as I hate buying them abroad. Books, workout gear and tablet plus chargers. No makeup as getting lashes and brows done tonight! Going to put some stuff in kid's bags!

Too much stuff unless you're going for a month- I'm assuming a week/10 days which I do hand luggage only.

2 lots of swimwear, not 4. One day dress and a coverup. Don't need slippers in the hotel, can wear your Birkies or flip flops. Sarong doubles as bathrobe. 1 evening bag. Most hotels hire beach towels these days for a couple of euros. An evening dress and a couple of bottoms with 3 or 4 tops you can mix and match. Buy toiletries like toothpaste shower gel at airport. 3 pairs of pants unless you sleep in them in which case 4- they take 5 mins to wash out while you're in the shower and dry in no time.

That sounds like a lot. How long for? I'd ditch the dressing gown, one evening bag, and at least 2 outfits.

2 weeks with no washing machine- hotel with extortionate laundry service and beach towel hire, not much around so doubt there is a laundrette. I have taken out a few bits.

Bloody hell! We are really light packers, we are away for 2 weeks, 5 of us with one suitcase and 2 hand luggage!
Makes a difference where you're going though, we are in sunny territory so clothes are light, not hundreds of layers and jeans.
I pack the bare minimum of toiletries and buy what I need when I get there. I'm also very low maintenance regarding appearance, no makeup/cleanser/moisturiser/potions etc.
Kindle for books, dds put their reading books in the hand luggage.
Really depends on how minimalist you are, I prefer to take less, less to pack/cart abroad/unpack/keep tidy when away/re-pack/cart home/unpack/wash.
Less is key for me!