How much do you pack for holiday? | Mumsnet (2024)

7 day dresses.

7 evening dresses.

Done

Far. Too. Much.

I’m getting better though. It helps if you go somewhere reliably warm, so you can wash and dry stuff within a quick turnaround time (and of course you need fewer layers).

I’ve realised that I only ever wear the thin-strapped tops as if I’m in the sun, I don’t like getting whacking great tan lines. I also rarely bother wearing the nice maxi dress and dressy dress that I’ve taken for a evening out/restaurant.

It’s much easier if you’re going somewhere you’ve been before, or if you know reliably what the weather will be like.

I’m a really smart packer. I always take hand luggage only on the plane (a wheelie suitcase that goes into the hold). That wound last me for 10 days.

I take:
2 pairs of sandals (I travel in one pair)
Pair of flip flops
3 pairs of shorts
3 vest tops
Bikini
2 dresses
2 skirts
2 evening tops
2 bras (I wear one)
Pair of pants for everyday
2 pieces of jewellery to dress tops / dresses up in the evening
A beach style bag
1 one evening bag
Travel size the toiletries
A cardigan (which I travel in)

You don’t need much in warm weather so even I over pack. Be ruthless!

I like to take dresses that can be worn in the evening once or twice, and then be a day dress later in the holiday.

Dresses are much easier than separates.

For a week's beach holiday, I'd want:
2 bikinis
2 beach dresses/cover ups
2 pairs of shorts and 4 tops
3 or 4 dresses which can be worn day or evening
1 cardigan
Flip flops / walking sandals / pretty flat sandals

I’d take 6 day outfits like shorts/t-shirts or casual dresses, 7 evening outfits. A warmer outfit to wear for the plane home. Flip-flops for the beach, smarter sandals, maybe trainers in case of walking. 1 or 2 cardigans for the evening (usually travel in 1). 2 sets of swimwear to be worn alternately, I hand wash in the evening. 14 pairs of knickers so clean for each morning and evening, 7 bras. Nightwear. One evening bag, one beach bag.

I can’t rewear stuff, especially not in a hot climate.

"2 pairs of sandals (I travel in one pair)"

So you have 3 pairs of sandals? What for? I only own one pair at a time!

Seems that everyone goes for a beach holiday. It's more complicated if you're going on a city break in the summer in northern Europe where it could be anything between 20 and 30 degrees. I have to take cool and hot clothes with me.

"I see people with huge bags on holiday and feel sorry for them."

Well, unless the cases are really huge, I don't think it makes much difference to have a suitcase that needs to be wheeled around whether it's small or average. Once you have anything over a handbag there's the issue of where to put it on your last day, etc.

I’m pondering this very thing at the moment

I’ve decided to pack the travel wash this year and only take favourite things

For both DC and me

Two weeks, guaranteed Med sunshine I’m thinking

Two swim costumes, 1 bikini
4 beach dresses
2 beach or evening dresses
4 skirts
7 tops
2 pairs sandals
A few necklaces & earrings

Plus travel in a pair of trousers and a cardi

Too much. & I find it stressful.

This year I went to the Caribbean and purposely brought a smaller case with me. It was so liberating not dragging a huge heavy overstuffed case. & I still didn't wear all the clothes Id brought.

We just don't need to take a huge case & loads of clothes/stuff on holiday. Unless it's essential medication, so what if you forget something? & wearing a top or skirt twice is no big deal.

My thing was thinking I had to take several outfits, oh I may want to change in evening, different outfit for each day etc. All so
unnecessary. I will never travel 'heavy' again

I am currently packing for a 2 week cruise so need a complete mixture of clothes with no laundry facilities unless I pay an arm and a leg. I have packed:

3 shorts
5 tops
7 dresses
1 skirt
1 pair cropped trousers
2 swimsuits and coverups
A waterproof jacket
An evening bag and shoes
A beach bag
A cardigan and a wrap
Underwear
Toiletries

I'll be wearing my sandals and another skirt and top to travel in.

I've managed to get everything for DH, DS and I into 1 large and 1 medium sized suitcase plus a suit carrier for our posh stuff.

Next week I will sort out my clothes (10 days in Turkey) , not decided exactly what yet , but I'm aiming that each item of clothes (unless its a dress) must go with at least 2 other things.
That should help me whittle it down.

No jacket , but I have a nice drapey scarf for evening.

DD will be try to take her entire wardrobe she doesn't do travel light , but she doesn't wear everything she takes. I'll make her leave space though because she'll want to buy stuff.

I've just got back from Spain and packed;

6 dresses for the evening
2 bikinis
1 pair of shorts and 2 vest tops
2 pairs of flip flops and 1 pair of sandals
2 beach dresses/kaftans

(We spend most of our days by the pool, so we mainly need evening clothes).

Our main motivation for packing lightly is to limit the mountain of laundry we have to do when we get back.

I don't do dressing up, specially on holiday, and I hate dragging loads of stuff, plus I'm small, so carrying a large weight is impossible. I only ever take a rucksack that counts as hand luggage for flights, containing something like:

Small towel
Spare trousers (I'll wear one other pair)
Two or three t-shirts (wearing one)
Hairbrush and hair bands
Penknife if not flying
Three spare pairs of knickers
Three spare pairs of socks
Swimming costume if I have one (currently don't)
Fleece or jacket, usually wearing it to travel
No spare shoes, I'll use the ones I'm already wearing.
Small first aid kit
Er, that's it!

But then I'm a skan*er who goes on very basic holidays and I don't care what I look like, I care about having a good and interesting time.