Do you overdo it?

I lay out jeans, trousers etc on the bed then put a couple of tops with them to mix and match a bit, for day and evening wear. Always roll things up and I do have some bits that are meant to be crinkly. I did forget my underwear a few years ago when my daughter lived in Greece ! She is only a tiny size 10, so I had to go out and buy some knickers !

I pack the used clothes neatly in the case when I take them off so when it's time to go, half the packing is already done. And used clothes should be folded or rolled just as unused ones. Takes up less space.

Do those packing cubes really save space? I can't see how.

I take 3 of everything - shorts, crops, suntops, t-shirts, smart tops, dresses. Several knickers & bras. I do washing whilst I'm away so it gives me plenty of room in my case for souvenirs and brandy! DH and I had a 2 week holiday chez his brother in Cyprus and just took hand luggage, it worked out really well. Only problem with that is, you can't take large bottles of toiletries.

One thing I'm sure helps is rolling the clothes to pack, not folding, I swear you can get more clothes in. I also leave the clothes rolled when we arrive on holiday so I don't have to hang everything up and packing to come home is a doddle.

I've got quite good at travelling light. If I'm going away for 7 nights I start by laying out 3 pairs of trousers/jeans (depending on season), I then lay 2 tops on each pair. That covers the six days I'm there and then I travel home in what I wore to travel there. If i need to change for the evening I'll add a pair of black linen trousers and 3 dressy tops. Sorted.

I’m leaving today on my first trip ever to St Petersburg and Russia. I’m ready packed for the fabulous sights and the ballet, but locals are also taking me on that best-loved local experience, mushrooming in the forest. ... not like a European forest ... a cross between a bog and a swamp ... Even with wellies borrowed when I arrive, packing a medium sized suitcase for this trip is troublesome!

Don't go on holiday - the last time was long haul 4 years ago but like some others I plan for each day, lay the clothes out on the bed and use packing cubes which are brilliant.

I make a list - and try and stick to it, ha ha!

An outfit per day, several knickers, toiletries, meds that's me done

Our upcoming holiday is an escorted tour staying in 3 different places, 3 days, 2 days, 2 days. So i plan to try to pack one suitcase for 3 days and the other for 4 days to save me constantly repacking. Will have to open both as stuff like hair straightners, toiletries etc. will be needed for whole holiday. For daytime I tend to pack a selection of good leggings with tunic tops and cropped trousers and t shirts. They don't take a lot of space and don't crease much.

Currently on holiday and my case came in at 19kgs for 2 weeks but I’m sure there will still be items unworn! ( Hopefully my Pacamac) ?

Think a lot of people have a case each, but I've found it helpful to split my and my husbands clothes between two cases, so that if one case were to go missing, the remaining case still has stuff for us both. Hope this helps. Have a good day, all.

Blinko you and I pack exactly the same.

I'm off to Bahrain next ... and since there are World Heritage sites to be seen, I spent yesterday afternoon looking for a couple of full length flowing dresses so the sight of my aged bod doesn't send anyone mad with lust

Found a couple of corkers.Hurrah !

I'll be able to wear when I return. I'm nothing if not frugal !!

Yep, Coolgran, that's me. I aim for a co-ordinated 'capsule wardrobe'. Sometimes I actually achieve it

Wow! I keep things very simple and just take hand luggage and travel wash. No hanging about waiting for suitcases at the airport for me. I do take my own pillowcases though - allergies!

I do it just like you op.

I solved that problem years ago - I just don't go on holiday - simple

I do the same as Blinko.

Put out everything that 'might'go.
Stick to basic colours i.e. navy, pale grey, taupe, white.
Make sure that everything goes with everything else.
All trousers except linens are ankle grazers.
Then pop in a few odds in a bright colour like, for example, fuschia linen trousers, pink linen peg trousers. A pink scarf and a different shade pink pashmina.
Couple of maxi dresses, with sleeves, that will do day or evening.
Sun hat and sun glasses etc.

Let it all sit/hang for a day or two.
Then.... if there are two similar items decide which one, or maybe you want both. Do this with each item.

I try every item on and don't skip on this. Make sure I'm satisfied it looks ok, it fits ok, it is comfortable. If not, don't take it. I don't want anythng that is not earning its space in the suitcase. I want to be able to pick up any item and know without doubt that it is wearable.

Shoes...
Clarks velcro comfy walking sandals - 1 pair dark pink that go with everything, and 1 pair pale grey that go with everything.
Pair shiny pewter leather FitFlops which go with everything.
Later on if I have room I may add white lace up plimsolls and/or a pair of flat navy leather comfies.

Roll each item up and pack. I don't worry cos I will probably unpack and pack again at least once. Check everything fits into my case and weigh it. Luggage weighing scales are worth their weight in gold and I take them on holiday with me so I can check that my case is not overweight for the flight home.

Now, if I have space in my case and am under baggage allowance, I'll have a look and anything I might take 'just in case' but often I don't add anything. I still have to add toiletries etc.

It is quite liberating to know that I don't have masses of clothes with me, but do know that every item will work with most other items.

By this time the sweat is blinding me, I feel confused so close the door and go to bed. Next time I look at it is with a fresh mind, it has all fallen into place. When everything is spread out on the bed or hanging around the room there is nothing that is lonely, that doesn't have several friends.

It's worth taking time and it gets easier, I can do this so much more easily that the first time.

As I once turned up in Majorca with eleven tops for a week's holiday, it would be fair to say that I sometimes overdo my packing!

I count on my fingers how many days I shall be staying. If it's under 6, I take a set of clothes for every day, maybe just 2 pairs of trousers. If it's more than 6, I still don't take any more than that, but wash whilst there.

I only wear plain colours (hate prints) and decide on a basic spectrum depending on the season. (My favourite is olive/cream in case anyone's interested. I like to add the odd bit of bright red or turquoise and then there's the indispensable black.)

Count out knickers, bras, socks and don't forget a nightie! I pack the night before I leave, or in the morning if departure is lunchtime or later. Toiletries go in the case - each in a small plastic bag, not in a sponge bag (too bulky) - as I use them the morning before, so nothing from the morning routine gets forgotten.

One pair of shoes other than the ones I'm travelling in. No slippers - go barefoot or wear socks. Exception: Plastic flip flops and 2 swimsuits if a pool is involved.

Toothbrush, comb, phone charger and spare knickers I always have in my handbag anyway. Thin windcheater and/or cardigan rolled up in a sock at the bottom of my backpack. Oh - and a small hand towel.

Gone are the days when I needed a list. Way back, when camping with 3 young children, I had a list. It was about 4 pages of A4!

Anyone counted how many threads we've had on this subject? There have been a lot of great tips along the way, some of which I have taken on board.

I am with Grannyknot on this. I also do a list weeks before and plan what I am going to take usually things that can be mixed and matched and worn more than once. I find this works for me but then I do lists about everything! Sad or what?

Absolutely hate packing!! Book a holiday and look forward to going. Then when we need to pack I always say 'whose idea was it to go on holiday?!

I thought it was a thread about doing too much too! I'm always doing too much.

I find it impossible to imagine what a different temperature to the one I am currently experiencing will be like. So I find it difficult to pack appropriate clothes for a holiday and often end up buying things while I am away (that can be fun of course but annoys my DH!)

So I pack lots of 'maybe' clothes and I especially do that if I'm holidaying in the UK.

Oh, I was expecting this thread to be about doing to much, not packing!

On packing, I usually have a list and aim to take as little as possible.

BBbevan, I knew I'd forgotten something ??

We even have to take special tooth filer and glue. In case our teeth or fillings fall out !!!!!!