Overwhelmed by packing

[GettingStuffed]

I'm off to the Caribbean on Thursday for 15 nights and Im finding packing really different. So far all I've packed 3 pairs of shoes/ sandals evening ones, day ones and water shoes., 3 swimming costumes and a couple of beach coverups..

DH doesn't like spending ages by the pool/ beach so for the first 4 days he has outings planned. We also have 2 cricket matches and a further day out already booked. Days out are usually a morning trip.

I feel I'm over packed for beach/ pool but some trips will go to beaches.

I'm totally not sure how many shorts to pack . I think I have 5 available, I have enough skirts / trousers to cover a month away. I'm think I'm going to be short of t-shirts as I'll need to change at least once a day. And then there's dresses for the evening , I can only count on one nightwear for each as I have big boobs and nearly always drop food .

Could anyo count up what I'll need to pack

I have a track record in under packing one thing and over packing another

Sorry it's so long

you can get clothes laundered out there.

you sound as though you have got yourself in a real tizz about this

Make yourself a tea, get out a pen and paper

And make yourself a list divided by day / night and activities booked and what would be good to pack for each

Following on from @idealgift .... Decide on the colours you think will work in the Caribbean for you. Stick to three, no more. Keep things fairly plain and simple, that you can dress up with shoes and jewellery for evenings. I like white, black and blues. Buy some packing cubes from Amazon... four per person so you get all the red ones and your DP gets all the yellow ones. A third colour for cables and tech stuff etc. Stuff the smallest cubes full of underwear and swimwear. Another for shorts and T shirts. One for trousers, skirts and simple shirts. The biggest for dresses. On your return the biggest works for washing. Your hotel will have a laundry service, but it probably will be quite expensive, so best keep to minimal use. Take only the toiletries you can't live without, including something to wash your bras... do not put bras in hotel laundry as they will be trashed. You will be able to find everything quickly, and you can just dump the cubes in the hotel drawers and repack at the end. Have a great holiday.

And pack two days underwear, T shirts, cossies and some basic toiletries in your hand luggage in case the airline send your bags to Antarctica by mistake.

Do you have some simple day dresses? They are great for over swimsuit, going into town, and probably the cricket matches. I get good use out of a simple black tank dress, and a navy linen loose dress.

Like Papyrophile said, plan out a typical day, with outfits. 3 shorts will probably do. You will probably like sleeveless tops over t-shirts, save that for travel, with a cardigan. Don't forget a nice beach/straw bag, it can hold quite a bit while out on excursion. See if you can find one that zips up, or carry a little pouch inside that closes.

Have fun!

Look up the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method. It will really help you make choices. On one site they say 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes and dresses, 2 pairs of bathers, 1 of each accessory.

You can launder your clothes easily

Would it feel less overwhelming to make a start on just your hand luggage?

For me, this would be

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/291774053 (plus mini toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and spf)

flight socks
sunglasses
lightweight fleece (fierce air con, cold evenings etc)
pen
mini anti-bac wipes (for tray table)
mini first aid kit (with paracetamol, anti diarrhoea tablets etc)
travel guide/book/magazine
empty water bottle (I fill this during the flight)

For your main bag

lightweight jeans, cotton trousers, linen trousers, shorts, sun hat, swimwear x4, beach coverup/tunic, leggings, cardigan, vest tops, flip flops, smart pumps/sandals, trainers, maxi/midi dress x 3

main toiletry bag + toiletries, spf, makeup
first aid kit (with any meds)

I also like to take some earrings and a lightweight scarf to brighten up an outfit.

Enjoy your trip!

Ended up with a day to pack. I may be short of t-shirts but they're easily available

Everywhere I’ve been in the Caribbean has been very low-key. You don’t need really glitzy stuff for evenings, for example. I went in the spring and took several midi dresses that could be worn a couple of times in the evening, and then over a bikini for the beach. I would find tshirts and shorts too hot- simple dresses are more comfortable.

It'll be scorching. I tend to wear cover ups over swimwear the majority of the time during the day. Flip flops or Birkenstock Madrid sandals. Bikinis which double as bra tops with extra pairs of bottoms.

A few sleeveless tops and shorts or skirts for trips out. A couple of lightweight t shirts to keep shoulders covered in the middle of the day.

Simple day dresses which can do evenings with a bit of jewellery and some metallic sandals. A long dress or two.

Floppy hat, baseball cap, sunglasses. Beach bag, water bottle. One of those lightweight beach towels.

I never take jeans on hot holidays. Only the lightest of linen crop trousers and a couple of linen or cotton cardigans in case of fierce air con. A cagoule in case of rainy days.

You will not need as much as you think. Overpack vest tops but nothing else is my advice!

Just realised you'll be there now. Enjoy!