Summer hols travelling light my a***e! Tips please

[amaygdala58]

Every year I always promise to travel light and never do.

I always take 5 pairs of shoes and only wear 2 take too much of everything only to return with items unworn because I really did look crap in it or it did not suit destination weather etc etc.

Same goes for toiletries and make up but I need all this I’m no spring chicken post menopausal and need all my stuff just to look human. Tips required on how too streamline my packing.

I’ll start, use old contact lense cases to carry stuff required on a long haul flight or as I did fill with foundation, held enough for a 2 week break as did not want to travel with original glass bottle.

One thing I can’t cut down is underwear must have clean pair of pants everyday and I’m not taking three pairs and washing out in the sink I’m on holiday!

Plus if you are holidaying in a hot destination surely one needs sweat free clothing everyday.
Can anyone suggest products that might double up but still work?

I never skimp in suncream because I always find to very expensive in resort too.

Start with shoes. Build outfits from that. Two pairs: if reliably hot and no walking then one beach pair, one dressier pair is fine. Add in trainer/ walking shoe if thats what you're doing.
Keep day stuff simple and interchangeable. Evening depends on lifestyle. Im quite minimalist and use accessories and make up to give impression of different outfit even though I pack very little. I hate taking huge amounts if stuff on holiday. Love buying the odd item of clothing on holiday as it reminds me of my holidays when wearing ut back home. Undies for each day dont take up much space its all the other crap you don't avtuslly need unless you really want to wear a totally different outfit each night. Silk is my other tip. Silk dress or t shirt folds down to nothing and feels luxurious. Denim is great too - versatile, goes with anything, you can wear denim shirt as jacket, shirt, knotted over a dress. Also wear your day to night dress early on holiday in evening, then rewear as day dress once its worn. Or is that gross?? Anyway those are my tips

And try everything on beforehand and dont take clothes you feel you look crap in. Ideally chuck them out entirely why wear at home if they do you no favours?

Great advice lasttimeround I think I have a load of not so good summer stuff because of rubbish summers in uk don’t have a constant changing summer wardrobe time for a declutter I think.

Work out how many outfits you need for each occasion (beach, sightseeing, evening etc) and plan from there. 2/3 pairs of shoes maximum (again sightseeing, beach and evening). Think versatility of colours and styles so you can mix and match.

If you’re on a beach/pool holiday then you really don’t need more than 2 swimming costumers. Whenever I take more than that they come home unworn. Possibly 3 kaftans/cover ups which will roll up small in your case.

Go for travel sized toiletries or decant into travel bottles wherever possible.

I try and wear trousers 2-3 days but will change tops every day. Underwear... I usually buy cheap kickers and throw them away same with socks if I do a lot of walking. Making a little space in the process. I don't use make-up so no help there. I use a soap bar & shampoo bar as it takes up very little space and lasts longer. (No problem with liquids either!)
Otherwise, as already mentioned, build your outfits around the shoes trousers / skirts you take.

For one week hot holiday

Shoes: 1 pair trainers so I can work out (wear these to travel so don't take up space)
1 pair Birkies
1 pair nicer sandals

2 day dresses
1 evening dress (v v rare for us to do anything 'posh' when on family holiday)
3 pairs shorts
4 Ts/vests
1 pair jeans and long sleeved shirt/jumper to travel and if cool.
Gym kit x 1 (maybe a couple pairs of gym socks)
3 bikinis / swimmers and 1 cover up
2 pairs PJs

Toiletries:
Shampoo and conditioner usually buy there and between the 4 of us, likely to be finished by the time we leave.
Deodorant
Perfume x 1
Pared down make-up
Tester sized moisturiser and make up remover/cleansers

And that would still be too much.

-choose a colour palate- one main colour and several things which will blend in.

• 3 pairs shoes, one to walk in, one for beach, one nicer pair that can be worn at night /dressed up

-loads of knickers-I wash mine in shower and dry them in room. Ditto for bras. -a big tote bag and smaller handbag

• decant cleanser/shampoo and conditioner/ moisturiser smaller bottles

-I use those multi -pill bottles for pills.

Just come back from a week away
Trainers to travel in Birkenstock and glitter ball fit flops
Two light weight trousers
Two pairs shorts
Dress
Numerous tops
7 pants
4 bikinis
2 beach wear play suits
3 bras
3 sets of gym wear
3 sets of sleep wear which are camisole top and shorts
Toiletries are decanted into small bottles
Make up only take lipstick. Eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner as foundation isn’t worth buying when I’m tanned.perfume I’ve got travel size mini ones
Beach towel and one for pool micro fibre ones nice and light.
When I travel for longer stays I add in extra shorts, tops, gym wear