Please help me create a capsule wardrobe for Australia trip! And advice for plane skincare...

[ChefsKisser]

Hello!
Going to Aus in June for 3 weeks- Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns
I have half a 25kg suitcase and am really keen to pack light (staying with friends/family so will have washing facilities) but also look stylish and not wearing the same thing every day....
Someone whos great at packing any suggestions of a capsule wardobe I can take for the trip? We will be sight seeing and doing child friendly activites, maybe one or two meals out but won't be going super fancy places!
I have also never done long haul and would love some advice on skincare on the plane. Again I'll be wrangling two kids so need to be realistic but how do you stop drying out and start the holiday feeling good!
Thanks!

Updated to say I've been told M & S can be cold that time of year and wet, B & C more likely to be warmer but probably not hot which is why I'm struggling!

The skin of a commercial airplane is aluminium and aluminum alloys and is generally washed with a non-alkaline soap and a high pressure water jet.

But you won"t need to do that, cleaning the airplane skin is the responsibility of the airline.

Being on a long flight is like being in some kind of desiccating machine- moisturise, moisturise, moisturise!

I’d take classic things 4 pairs of shorts in white, navy, khaki, black. Loads of white / navy Tshirts and vests. Vests in loads of colours. 2 pairs of jeans. Black linen trousers, white linen trousers. Few floral dresses. Few plain dresses. Black Sandals, gold sandals, white trainers, flip flops. A going out dress.

🤣 You never know these days, so much of which used to be included is now an extra 🫢.

Seriously though, you are going for mid winter so you will need to dress like a cool summer’s day in the UK, and expect cooler nights.

I would pack as if you are going for a week, maybe less if you have access to washing machines.

For the flight, the dress code is comfortable (l travel regularly to Singapore and my go to is a teeshirt dress and a cardigan, but it’s always hot the other end), then clean top, leggings and clean knix in your cabin bag. I have mastered the art of tipping half my dinner down myself on flights 😀. Enjoy your trip.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream. It's actually more of a greasy balm, but it does everything. Skin, hands, lips, feet - it's perfect for dehydrated skin (and sunburn). https://www.elizabetharden.co.uk/products/eight-hour-cream-skin-protectant

Neals Yard Wild Rose beauty balm
www.nealsyardremedies.com/products/wild-rose-beauty-balm-50g www.nealsyardremedies.com/products/wild-rose-beauty-balm-50g]]]]
It’s a miracle in a jar, and smells utterly amazing (unlike 8 hour Cream from Elizabeth Arden imo)

I’m hopeless at capsule wardrobes but I’ve been to Sydney and Brisbane a few times and I’d say take mostly casual things. Sydney can be very wet so a light waterproof is a must, definitely take jeans, leggings and T-shirts, light jumper/cardi and sweatshirt. Brisbane and Cairns will be more humid so more summery clothes for there but not overly dressy, take a couple of pairs of shorts and a cotton/linen shift type dress. Don’t make the mistake I made and take any maxi dresses, mine never saw the light of day! You can always buy stuff there if you find you’re short of anything, the shops are great! Have a great time!

The only skincare I do on flights is hand gel, toothbrush and toothpaste. If I have a connecting flight, I’ll also take a face wash so I can freshen up. I don’t use face moisturiser in the day but would take a small one if I were to wash my face.

In half a suitcase?

We went in August a good few years ago and it was cold. I wore a fleece the entire time. Cairns was warmer but still not Med hot. I'd take the same as @Pegsmum

Thanks all!

Im thinking so far:
Jeans
Cropped navy trousers
Denim shorts
Leggings, oversize tea and hoody (wear on plane) with trainers
1 zip up sweatshirt
1 jumper
2 vests
1 t shirt
linen shirt
denim shirt
1 pair sandals
1 paid slip on/flip flops

I would add:

a down packable jacket, probably a vest for the possibly warmer weather you describe. uniqlo for value and cut or tog 24 for quality, warmth and performance (and the fact they used to do one that ¹packs into its own pocket not a separate bag). Personally I'd take both because they are both so small and handy, especially in airports (pillow anyone)(night time shuttle bus transfers) and airplanes.

A genuine performance waterproof pac a mac (eg Peter storm, mountain warehouse, tog 24). If you want to be a bit more stylish I'd grab a uniqlo trench (no hood) or mac but they don't pack so small or neatly into a pocket/bag. Should be Roomy so you can wear it over hoodie and/or down jacket as required. Between a hoodie, down jacket and water proof you Will cover pretty much every weather/temperature combo down to 11°c ish. Colder if you include thermals wooly hat gloves, but I'm thinking from your description you don't need that cold

If you have space: 1-2 extra short sleeve top/t-shirt, 1 (maybe 2 extra bottom half), and one dress or outfit that can be used if you want something smart. Work on the basis for longer haul you want 5 tops (vest tops pack so small they don't count), 5 bottoms, 3 jumpers (one zip up, one fleece one smarter) one "smarter" outfit.
Smart outfit can be included in the above if seperates.

I'd also consider taking some proper walking boots depending what activities you'll be needing. Swimming costume?

I'd pick a zip up hoodie/fleece for the airplane so you can just undo the zip for those in between temperature times or when you just can't be bothered taking it all the way off or your hot but your shoulders are cold.

Take a regular water bottle AND a large 2l water bottle to fill after security (althoughare they allowing water through these days. I used to have a Fantastic hydroflask(??? I think)l foldable one, although with hindsight any old bottle would have done.

Foldable holdall or backpack (depending on if your handluggage double as a backpack). Surprisingly handy. From putting coats in one bag at cloakrooms, to shopping, to swimming bags, to extra bags coming home. Since always packing at least one (even small hand luggage only) there hasn't been a holiday I haven't made use of it!!

I’d stick in another few t-shirts if spending much time in Cairns as it will be mid-high 20’s. Not hot for us, but judging by comments on this forum seems many people think they would melt. I worked in the UK for a number of years and would be in long sleeves and wrapped up while everyone else was in t-shirts and shorts🤣.

Your problem is going to be the vast weather difference between Melbourne (10-15) and Cairns (25-30) at that time of year.

Edited to add - chuck in swimmers for Cairns maybe.

Also just to clarify The extra trouser should be a trouser that can cover colder (so not shorts or cropped unless you would wear those autumn/mild winter here) possibly another pair of jeans or versatile fabric trousers (both if you take 2 extras) or maybe long denim/satin skirt as they are currently so fashionable and could count towards your smart outfit.

as a general rule of travelling light as a minimum you always want to be able to "wear one, wash one, dry one" (+spare one if possible). You have that for you warmer weather bottoms:shorts, leggings, cropped trousers (+jeans if you have the right pair). You don't have that for your colder wear bottoms (jeans, leggings....), your short one pair if not two. If your packing shorts and cropped trousers, they don't cross over into colder weather so the minimum you can do this with is 5 bottoms total.