Multi-destination holiday packing - HELP!

[LooseInTheCity]

First world problem, I know, but we are going on a multi destination trip to the USA next month and I am the world’s shittest packer. Always bring too much stuff and don’t wear half of it. Often bring the wrong clothes/shoes for what I’ll be doing.

What would you pack if you were me?

A few days in NYC (likely to be hot and humid and we’ll be busy sightseeing and walking lots)

A few days in Miami (staying somewhere quite glamorous and at least one night out at a very fancy restaurant and bar + will spend time on the beach)

A couple of weeks staying in hot, southern state cities. No beach. Some outdoorsy activities + nights out, eating out etc.

I’ll have facilities to wash and dry clothes midway through the holiday (about 10 days in).

I can’t bring my usual enormous case, (packed full of every outfit I own and too heavy to lift!) because of internal flight weight limits and fitting cases in boots of hire cars.

I feel anxious just considering it.

Help (please)!

I'd start with shoes and work upwards.
For me, that would be a nice pair of flip flops for beach/pool/ use as slippers/ substitute sandals. A pair of trainers, maybe 2, one in white leather and another coloured lightweight pair. Birkenstocks or similar sandals for walking. And something to wear for your posh outing- for me that would probably be silver sandals, for you possibly with heels.
I'd pack 2 swimming costumes or bikinis, and some sort of coverup.
Then something loose and cool to walk around NY, I'd wear a dress and chub rub shorts, and I'd pack a few midi/maxi dresses as you could wear them in most places. I don't wear shorts but most people would pack a pair and a vest top plus shirt to wear with them. I'd make sure my clothes are dark/patterned- white jeans/shirts look cool, but you'd only be able to wear them once before they need washing. You'd need a light jacket/cardigan for the plane and cooler evenings, a sun hat, and some sort of lounging gear- harem pants/ thin joggers/ light T-shirt dress- for relaxing in after busy days out. And lots of underwear so you can have frequent changes if it's going to be hot and humid.
Don't forget a universal plug, hair straighteners if you use them( everywhere supplies a hairdryer so you won't need that) and sunglasses! Also a cross body bag and a bigger one ( tote or backpack)' and a hammam towel for the beach- takes much less space than a normal one.

On a similar holiday I took a skirt and three or so t shirts for daytime sightseeing, a cardigan, trainers and reasonably pretty fitflops .I took a couple of nicer dresses for city meals out. I don't wear shorts but they would be useful with beach style t shirts for very casual days , I substituted these with a couple of t shirt dresses. Swimming costume ,underwear,a rainproof jacket ,a necklace ..that was about it.

I've done a few multi destination holidays and my top tip is to "Marie Kondo" your case so that your clothes are packed like files in a filing cabinet (I hope that makes sense), that way you can see everything and easily take things out without rummaging. Many people also recommend packing cubes

It's not the prettiest item of clothing but I always take a lightweight fleece (plane, cool evenings, fierce air con etc).

I also bring earrings (definitely not your favourite pair, but something cheap and cheerful to dress up an outfit). A lightweight scarf could also do that job.

Jeans are a staple too, as well as cotton trousers e.g.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/tencel-rich-wide-leg-trousers-with-linen/p/clp60624019

Other bits: sun hat, sunglasses, bikini, tankini (for less confident days), beach coverup/tunic, leggings, cardigan, vest tops, havaianas, smart pumps/sandals, trainers (or hiking trainers)

This might be overkill but on big trips I take this first aid kit (I'd add extras like ibuprofen, paracetemol, anti-diarrhoea tablets, rehydration sachets, hayfever tablets etc):

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/lifesystems-solo-traveller-first-aid-kit?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=GoogleShop%22&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpOHUxaSJgAMVnj8GAB2_VQr9EAQYAiABEgKyKfD_BwE

and this for my plane toiletry bag (adding mini toothbrush, toothpaste and floss)

Forgot to include shorts in that list and perhaps a nice midi dress that you could dress up or down

This is amazing! Already feeling a bit calmer. THANKYOU!

Going to start making a list tonight.

Glad you're feeling better OP! This is more a checklist when you're roughing it, but it might be useful:

https://www.the-backpacking-site.com/backpacking-travel-advice/backpacking/

I did a similar trip last year and fit everything into a cabin size suitcase.

Keep shoes to a minimum as they will only take up space in your suitcase. I’d wear a pair of trainers on the flight that you know are comfortable to walk for miles in NY. A pair of flip-flops for the beach and a flat pair of tan sandals that you can wear with anything.

Dresses will be your friend - Cotton or linen dresses for the city break parts, three or four dresses would be plenty (excluding Miami part of trip). Plain colours are the best imo and unless white, you will get two or three wears out of the dresses before they need washing. If you get chub rub, throw in a few pairs of chub run shorts to wear under the dresses.

Two bikinis and one cover-up for Miami and one or two dresses for the evening and two shorter more sun type dresses. I have a cropped linen denim style jacket that I always bring with me to wear on chilly evenings/indoors with air-conditioning. A white linen shirt can be useful to wear with sleeveless dresses if sun gets too hot/you feel your skin might burn.

Then just underwear and to keep it simple, stick to nude colour.

PS a pair of shorts and two tops might be useful for any activities you’ll be doing.