I always take far too much as well. What you should do is sort the stuff you have already got inot two piles and just take one pile

But what goes in what pile

step one PRINT THE HOLIDAY TRUTHS PACKING LIST

step two use it to work out what you want

step three separate the clothes into three heaps first one essentials knickers etc] second needs [swim ware day ware etc] third wants [45 pair of shoes 14 evening outfits etc] then check the first two heaps and weigh it then select from the wants list to make up your weight...

i know its difficult for you as most women don't know the difference between essential and want

wizard

HI, there's a similar topic to this here Not sure whether the mods want to merge the two topics or let them both run.

This year I have to deside first how much do I want to pay for my suitcase allownace...ryanair

£20 for 15kg allowance, or £30 for 20kg allowance, think I might be going with the 15 kg allowance this year, so going to need to workout what I leave behind

Last year took, 12 t-shirts, 8 shirts, 3 shorts, so might cut back to 9 tshirts,6 shirts, 2 shorts, by a beach towel at the resort, try and put things into hand lugguage

Love holidaying, loathe packing: Try to take less rather than more, but give myself a very stressful time sorting out which are the most useful items.
I find it's easiest to pack for summer holidays as you are pretty confident what the weather will be like & I just hand wash things which can then dry quickly...but any other time of year: nightmare

I think we take alot of clothing for style, not because its a t-shirt

Just been looking round the shops, and it happens all the time, you see t-shirts, shirts and shorts, which you want to buy, but you already have stuff at home, so I will probably buy some more

I love packing, it's the most exciting part of the holiday for me
I limit myself to 7 bikinis, 7 day outfits (normally 3 cover up dresses, 4 tshirts 2 skirts 2 pairs of shorts) 7 evening outfits and 7 sets of underwear for a 14 week holiday, then wash everything through once and wear again the 2nd week.

For every item I add to the case, I have to take something out

usually straightforward for us...dive gear and not alot else....especially on a liveaboard.

it's hard to decide as you don't want to have to do washing on your hols, underwear and tops always get washed, other items may get aired and worn again. we cut down the amount we took last year and i am hoping to do the same this year BUT i will have to stop buying new things as i always want to take them with me lol. xphx

I have just come back from Cuba. I took 5 saresses, 5 bikinis, 2 pairs shorts, 4 vest tops, 4 long dresses, 2 long skirts, 1 pair linen trousers, 1 blouse, 1 'pretty' top, 2 cover ups for evenings, 3 pairs shoes and matching handbags, 3 bras, 7 pairs knickers. 2 vests and 1 pair shorts for the gym. Plus trainers, flip flops, sun hat.
Dresses, skirts and linen trousers got worn twice. Everything bar beach wear (and shoes/handbags ) went to laundry between wears.

I lay everything out on the bed and then remove stuff that I dont really need or that I wont realistically wear (do I actually need a pair of jeans or that pair of wedge shoes that only get worn once ). I then see what im left with. If its still too much then will do another sweep and get rid of more. I always take too much and after a holiday where I only had 15kg luggage allowance it was apparent that I had to be ruthless. I managed with no problem with half my usual stuff so now always pack on the basis of 15kg for whatever duration of holiday (it also gives me space on the way home for any goodies that I want to buy ).

I do wear dresses more than once whilst im away so in my head they count as double (ie if I take 3 dresses that enough for 6 days!). I mix and match too so (eg) a pair of navy cropped trousers has 2 tops that will go with it (2 days wear). Already, with my examples, I have 8 days' worth of clothes with just 6 items. The only person that does get clean clothes for everyday is my 7 year old, kids can be so messy so I cant rely on her able to wear something twice. One thing im adamant about however, is I always take enough clean underwear for EVERY day, cant be doing with washing knickers on holiday but if you buy new, its all packed into a nice little pouch and doesnt take up that much room

One thing im adamant about however, is I always take enough clean underwear for EVERY day, cant be doing with washing knickers on holiday

I'm the exact opposite - can't stand the thought of it lying around unwashed for all that time! So I take 3 sets and wash it as I go. Plus on trips to Cuba which are at least 2 and sometimes 3 weeks long and where I just have to have a clean set on in the morning and another clean set after the post-dance class shower (just too horribly sweaty to contemplate putting them back on again!) and possibly another set before going out of an evening, I'd need to find space for in the region of 40+ pairs of knickers plus bras

Years of family youth hostelling holidays taught me to travel light - if you have to carry it on your back you soon learn to be ruthless. So even now I work around taking no more than 3 of anything and mix and match between the separates and keep the footwear simple too - 1 pr each of walking sandals, dressy sandals, flipflops, ballet flats, trainers with then just one small handbag and a beach bag/tote.

SM

Would it not be cheaper just to buy your under wear, in the resort, and once finished just leave them behind

I've just pulled out my suitcase of 'maybes' and pulled quite a bit out of it- unheard of. I have to travel light as I've only paid for 18kgs between two of us. Most of my and hubby's stuff is in now temporarily but most will have to come out again for ironing a few days before we go. I haven't sorted out the suncare/toiletries yet or put any shoes or bags in so I'm hoping the weight will be under the allowance.

joeseptuk wrote:

Would it not be cheaper just to buy your under wear, in the resort, and once finished just leave them behind

Ooh no. Am very particular about my knickers

over the years i always took enough outfits for a different one each night and those that might be just in case, and shoes and jewellery to match , now i half it and wear the same outfit twice something i would not do at home, same with underwear i always wash out rather than take loads

Would it not be cheaper just to buy your under wear, in the resort, and once finished just leave them behind

You've obviously never seen what's on offer in Cuba!

SM

You've obviously never seen what's on offer in Cuba!

SM

SM
I definitely agree with that comment!