Help struggling to pack

[50notout]

First world problems but on Saturday we’re off to America on our delayed honeymoon. 5 nights on NYC, then Miami for 4 nights and then a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas.
Im a ridiculous over packer and I’m already running out of room.
Anyone done a winter weather then sunshine trip? Can you help me?
This is stupid but I’m so stressed! This os meant to be exciting.

www.dangerous-business.com/whats-in-my-backpack-summer-and-winter-in-one-trip/

And just wanted to add, please remember that even if you forget something, say socks, you can always buy them, won't be the end of the world

New York’s not looking too bad. I was expecting it to be much colder than that. What coat were you planning on taking? Honeymoon is a bit special and you obviously want some pretty outfits for the evening…. So you have anything that you could also wear with a layer that would work for the other two stages ? Perhaps you could tell us what you have planned so far.

I would pack dresses and sun wear and just go to the airport in warmer clothes and a coat. As others have said - other countries do sell clothes. So - sunglasses - swimsuits - dresses perhaps a wrap thing / nice cardigan & dress for colder weather to go to the airport.

Put what doesn't fit in your suitcase in your dh suitcase, that's what I do, he had to pay an excess luggage charge, he couldn't understand why as apparently he only had 6 pairs of shorts, 6 shirts and 6 tshirts in his case 😂

Thanks you!
So I’ve packed summer bits such as floaty dresses, a couple of pairs of shorts and 2 bikinis.
2 pairs of flat sandals, 1 pairs of wedges, 2 heels (for cruise).
Winter stuff
4 jumpers but in need to cut this down to 2 and wear one to fly out
what I’m struggling with is daytime bottoms- jeans or maybe leather leggings?
plus a couple of ‘dressy’. Bits for the evening, we probably won’t get changed every evening in NY. Plus I need layers because I get boiling hot (menopause 😂).. So T-shirts
also need trainers, converse & chunky boots!
plus of course underwear, hats etc!
coat wise- I have a big puffer that folds really small and I will fly out in my leather biker but this won’t be warm enough once we’re in NY or should I wear a jumper over a dress to fly out with a leather gilet?

I don’t actually own a cardigan! Well I do, I’d call it a ‘Covid’ cardigan- I wear it WFH rather than put the heating on! But it’s def not for leaving the house! 😂

Ha ha, I’ve already been eyeing his case up. I’m thinking I’ve can take my straighteners/hair dryer. I might have to risk the hotel dryers!

First thing that springs out is so many shoes!

Why 2 pairs of flat sandals, 1 pairs of wedges, 2 heels (for cruise)? That's a lot for 8 nights! Are the 2 sandals and 2 heels necessary and if it's because of colour then you need to simplify your colour palette for packing.

Equally trainers, converse & chunky boots - which ones are you wearing on the flight out? Do you need trainers and converse? I'd argue trainers for so much walking so ditch the converse.

If you lost the converse, one pair of flat sandals and either one pair of heels or the wedges, you'd have loads more room.

Don't pack toiletries. Buy them airside and stuff in your coat pockets

Ok if it was me for NY I’d take
1 pair of jeans - not too tight so I could layer thermals underneath
1 pair of other trousers
2 x cashmere sweaters - one polo neck and one crew neck
2 x long sleeved thermal tops
1 x pair thermal leggings
I x pair flat ankle boots
1 x pair trainers.
Maybe 1 x short jacket…. I have a quilted jacket from Cos…. You have a biker but might need to ditch it. ( possibly useful for layering)
1 x midi / long dress - I have a fine knitted one
I x fancy top ( for trousers / jeans)
potentially 1 x fancy shoes / boots. ( I have silver ankle boots.) although not if you’re happy in the flats.
I large fine knit scarf… I have a yaks wool one.
you’re wearing the jacket and coat on the plane with boots. Sorry about that. You’ll also need one daytime bag ( crossbody???) and one evening bag.( to use on cruise too) Do not take tons of toiletries because NY drugstores are great fun. Any you do take decant into mini silicone travel bottles… I got mine from Amazon. No hairdryer just the straighteners. Could you ship the coat / thermals back afterwards and just keep the biker with the scarf for onward travel…. Or buy a cheap bag there and pay the excess?? Summer clothes are not really my thing but I guess 2 bikinis / swimsuits with 2 co-ordinating beach dresses. 2 x pairs of shorts with x number of t shirts / tops… one pair flip flops, one pair flat sandals for sightseeing, one fancy pair shoes. X number of fancy dresses for evening… 4???
it’s not easy with the winter aspect but NY in January can be brutally cold with a really harsh wind so don’t be complacent about that.

Ditch the leather trousers as they won't keep you warm in NY and they'll be too hot for Miami/Cruise. It's too hot for a biker ( or any) jacket in Miami at the moment -take a thin cotton jacket at absolute most for cooler nights on ship.
If you're canny a big cotton scarf will do as a scarf, a sarong and a pashmina.

You'll be walking a lot in NY I imagine so just one pair of flat boots and one pair trainers. It's only 5 nights. Do not - repeat DO NOT take shoes you are not confident you can walk in for long periods of time.

One pair blue jeans
One pair black jeans
Silk thermal layers
Warm coat ( wear on plane)
Gloves/scarf/hat
Thin cashmere jumpers x2
Thin jacket/
Long sleeve t shirts
Dressy top x2
Pair heels to dress up jeans if necessary
Sandals/ flip flops
Shorts x2
Dresses x2
Short sleeve T-shirt x3
Bikini x2
Cover up x2
Underwear/ socks
Jewellery

You can wash pants/ socks etc as you go and take advantage of hotel laundry

Hey

Thanks for all your ideas and input and thank you in particular for those giving me strong advice! ( I will wear a jacket and coat to fly in 😂)..

Ok so flying out:
black wide leg trousers
Breton style Tee
Cashmere cardigan (which I’ve had to order)!
Black trainers
ill leave the Biker at home as you’re right it’s not warm enough for NYC & is too warm for MIA. So I’ll wear my big puffer (my football manager coat as OH likes to call it)!

2 pairs of jeans
thermals for underneath
2 tee shirts (plus one from flight)
2 jumpers
boots for daytime
2 nice/dressy tops
Need to decide on shoes for evenings… have healed ankle boots but if I’m only taking 1 x heels it won’t be these!

Sunny part
2 bikinis
2 cover ups
4 floaty dresses which can be for day or evening ( convinced this is inadequate)
2 pairs of shorts
2 vests for shorts
sandals ( one chunky gladiator good for walking in, one pretty for evening)
wedges if possible
1 pair of heels if space
1 dress for formal night on cruise (plan to buy while there)! Hence need for heels…

underwear
jewellery
toiletries in travel sizes or I will decant

This is actually really helpful so thank you! And as many have said worst case I can buy a few bits but I’m sure I’ll be fine!

xx

Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound quite so dictatorial. ( but I’m right about the coat 😘). Sounds pretty good to me…. Hope you have a wonderful trip.

I'd recommend paring it down to one pair of jeans for NY, and throwing in a couple more lightweight tops for the cruise/Miami.

No, no don’t apologise it was just what I needed. Thank you for your helpful advice! I’m ready now 😊

Unless your hairdryer and straighteners are dual voltage they won't work in the US.

I’ve been to the states before and haven’t had an issue? Both are GHD?

GHD are universal so they will be fine!

Hello!

id thought I’d update because one day someone else might search for this same subject!

Thanks again for all your help and advice.
So by far the best advice was to take a cashmere cardi, which I had buy but i wore it to death & I will wear lots! I took 2 quite thick jumpers and was often too warm in them. Lighter jumpers is def the way to go.

2 pairs of jeans was enough, 3 T-shirts, one maxi dress worn on last night and 1 one dressy top worn with jeans.

thermals definitely

i took chunky ankle boots, trainers and low heeled boots. Could’ve coped without the heels but I did wear on last night.

it was cold but boiling inside so layers definitely.

for Miami/Bahamas i spent all of my time in floaty dresses and flats. I took heels and wedges- wore both but changed for flats after an hour! Won’t bother next time, they take up a lot of room. I took 2 bikinis and one swimsuit.

hope this helps! x