So, you've come back from holiday and unpacked . What did you take that you really didn't need and won't take next year?

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I'm going away in October so I'm not packing (yet) but I have a liited time to buy things I need .

In years gone by the things I didn't use :
Make -Up . I don't wear it at home . I didn't wear it on holiday . I'll take a tinted lip balm.

Sandles/flip flops that I cannot keep on my feet , usually those jewelled ones .

Bikinis that are non supporting (I really need unholstery not bunting)

Heavy denim shorts or skirt (except what I travel in)

Hair dryer

I will make sure I take enough suncare , knickers , and crucially make sure that everything can be worn with at least 2 other things unless its a dress.

Jeans! Packed them “just in case” but never wore them.

Just back from 10 days in Devon, weather was a mixed bag but mostly warm and sunny, if a little bit breezy. Basically lived in a wetsuit, swimming costume, denim shorts, flip flops, Birkenstock's, 2 t shirts and one jumper. Wore jeans twice in 10 days.
Didn't wear trainers, multiple tops, loose cropped trousers or the 2 dresses I packed.

I hate packing for a summer holiday in the uk. You have to pack for all eventualities. Heatwave, snow, rain everything. Then only wear half of it but. Like some of the summer stuff, some of the rain gear. And all bets are off if you’re going way for a bit and a wedding is involved as well.

Most of my clothes. We were in an apartment with a washing machine and during our 2 week stay I wore 4 dresses, 1 jumpsuit, 2 bikinis, flip flops and 1 sarong.

I didn’t need shorts, t shorts, gym gear (!!) socks, trainers, cardigan, summer trousers (x2).

Most of my makeup could also have stayed at home. Next year I’ll take mascara, lipgloss and a liquid blusher only.

Just come back from a cruise. Their website said to pack evening gowns/dresses for their black tie and gala evenings. Few others bothered so I just wore my usual "smart casual" evening wear.

Great idea for a thread

Polyester dresses and heels. I took 3 to Ibiza and couldn't face wearing any of them in the hot evenings. Cotton, linen and flats every day.

I always pack too much so this year I’m going to be ruthless!

Week long beach holiday in Zante, will be taking 4 Next linen dresses for evenings, 3 bikinis, 3 daytime sun dresses, 1 pair shorts, 2 t shirts.
Footwear - flip flops, 2 pairs flat sandals
Plus jeans, trainers etc that I’ll be travelling in.

I took but didn't wear lots of tops and shorts. Turkey was too hot for that, I stuck to slip on dresses, knee length, midi and maxi. Next time I will try and avoid viscose materials as they definitely felt less breathable and sweatier than cotton and linen. I wished I had brought some long skirts and more flowy dresses. Also some wedge heels for the evening, I had only packed flat sandals.

For our holiday in the Med I took 3 pairs of shorts, 1 skirt, 5 tops, 4 daytime dresses and 5 evening ones. 3 pairs of flat sandals + flipflops. One cardi for travelling. 4 bikinis. Pool cover-up. Minimal make-up. Suncream.

Next year I'll take one more pool cover-up, and fewer shorts/t-shirts because dresses are cooler and comfier.

I packed two pairs of heels and lugged them around for five weeks in my luggage and didn't wear them once.

I also brought denim shorts and only wore them once as they were just too thick and heavy in the heat.

I should have packed more nude pants as my favorite holiday items ended up being thin cotton/linen white dresses/skirts.

I also saw a cheap travel aroma diffuser in Muji at the beginning of our holiday and spent much of the latter part of our trip regretting not buying it.

Once insisted dh find a chemist en route to our holiday destination (uk) as I had forgotten to bring cuticle remover....
Who the hell was I kidding?
Brain had forgotten (blanked out maybe?) that we had remembered to 'pack' 6 x dc and there was zero chance I would be doing my bloody nails anyway....

I came home with 3 dresses and a jumpsuit unworn. also took too many shorts as seen to have "favourites". We rented a villa and didn't eat out nearly as much as I thought we would in the evenings. Also I wore no heels/wedges even though I took 3 pairs 😂

Hairdryer
High heels
Hair straighteners - holiday is the only time i go 'fluffy'
Too many toys for my daughter, she barely touched anything other than colouring books and lived in the pool!

Scrambled I was in Ibiza and whilst on the beach noticed lots of Spanish people had what looked like a fine, almost gauze beach "mat" often in amazing colours, is that the kind of thing you're referring to? We didn't take towels as our hotel did a beach towel for a refundable deposit which helped our packing. However once you've been for a dip and sat on your towel it's then wet till the sun dries so something to use to lie on would be great next year, especially if it's lightweight.

Things I've learned from MN which I now take -

One of those small bottles of super concentrated squash. I drink gallons of water but after a while it gets v boring.

A camping washing line and pegs as there's never enough drying space on the balcony.

Use a strip of plain washi tape on the back of our passports then put name on with a sharpie. So much easier to put correct one with boarding pass in a hurry.

Our own corkscrew

tellmewhenthespaceship They’re also known as Hammam towels or fouta. I’ve got one that looks like this - sorbetltd.co.uk/products/strawberries-and-cream-pink-striped-travel-towel. Mine was just a cheap french supermarket purchase but I love it.

We were so impressed we bought some from Amazon when we got home - I think it was £12 for 3 which was pretty much a bargain price They dry very quickly and and sand doesn’t stick to them like with beach towels.

They sound perfect, I'll have a look at those, thank you.

This is so, so useful. Love the passport trick.
Thank you ladies!