Help me pack for a long trip

[cherrypiepie]

Going away for 16 nights next Saturday Madrid for 4 night (6c low (night)and 20 high) and California (low 15 - 22 high) we are on a cruise around California and LA for 3 nights. I want to pack light and can do a wash load on the cruise.

I'm very confused! I need
Clothes for Madrid day and evening
Travel clothes Madrid to LA
LA clothes (universal and one day sightseeing)
Cruise clothes -7 nights exploring and relaxing and dining. (I don’t dress up just maybe a skirts and top or a day dress)
Shoes?
Coats??
bag?
underwear/ nightwear / swimwear

all help appreciated!

Those temps are not far off each other to be fair.
i would do a capsule with layers
so
bottoms I would do
3 short- one black/navy, one denim, one white
2 skirts- one black, one pattern
2 dresses- one long, one mid/short etc
2 pairs of jeans - one black, one denim
1 pair of leggings/joggers

tops
T-shirts-one black/navy, one white one striped, one patterned.
dressy tops x3
1x white shirt
1 x plain cardigan
1 x jumper
1 x denim jacket

shoes
1 x trainers
1 x day sandal
1/2 pair night sandals/heels

2 bags max- one casual and one dressy

enough underwear for 8-9 days and then wash them on the cruise.

swimwear- one suit and one bikini

Start with the shoes you need to take and build your outfits from there.

Will you really change into evening clothes in Madrid? We usually go out all day and stay out in to the evening.

Take leggings and vests maybe to wear under the dresses to act as a layer in the evenings in Madrid if you are changing for the evenings.

8 day outfits 8 night outfits - wash clothes on the last day of the cruise

8 days underwear if you’re washing clothes on the cruise.

Nightwear x 3

Day cross body bag, evening bag, tote bag for travel

oh wow this is great thanks so much. @Upsetbettygreat list!

@Rina66i had to think about why i put evening- I won't have different evening clothes but it will be 6c and I’m worried I will be cold!! And what coat to take not sure a denim jacket is warm enough.

I do like to go back mid afternoon for a rest though I can no longer power through!

For chillier evenings- I would take jeans, leggings to wear under skirts/dresses and one of those Uniqlo ultralight gilets to wear under a denim jacket, also a scarf. I would pack more dresses as I love the ease of a dress. Neutral so you can dress up/down. How dressy is the cruise?

Just to add to the other lists, unless you sleep naked have one or two things you can wear in the day but sleep in, so joggers / leggings and / or T-shirt.

A denim jacket should be fine, you could pack a pashmina or similar to use in the evening and also to use like a blanket on the flight.

I have this in black and it’s great for travel - doesn’t crease and can be dressed up or down. https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E474063-000/00

Cruise isn’t dressy or not for me - just jeans/day dress/ or skirt/trousers and top/

will be warm enough for summer dresses and sandals? I’m considering taking my down!!

Down packs down so small I’d take it! I hate being cold!🥶