Help! I need advice re packing for an 8 day trip...

Thanks for popping back ClareAB
Have a good trip!

Not a plight mac, ClareAB

I'm sure you know I meant a light mac!

Thank you very much for all the helpful tips, advice and well wishes.
To the one lady who put a less than kind remark up, I'd love to know why you felt the need? I'm a lover not a fighter, and believe that we are part of this community to help one another, not tear them down. Why go low when you can go high and be kind?
Once again thank you everyone, I appreciate it.

Just went to the Isle of Skye for a week by bus, train and ferry
I packed everything, lifted my case, decided it was too heavy, emptied it. Found very small case, discarded at least half my stuff.
I still didn't wear everything including waterproof trousers!
I did buy and wear a new top and a bottle of whisky so had to take home one small carrier bag extra

In past years I have travelled to NZ for a month with just carry on luggage. Vacuum bag etc. It was ok but I bought a bag out there to carry souvenirs home.

My cousin, who loves to travel light and goes to southern Europe says all you need is a dress and a bikini.

Finland is more like Scotland weatherwise so I would make sure I had a warm woolly!

Old knickers - throw away daily.
I adopt that approach, sometimes, certainly the ones I've travelled in!

I would take a smart trouser suit and wear it with a dressy blouse for the naming ceremony. I would then pair the jacket with jeans and T-shirt/jumper 2 other days and the trousers with casual tops two other days. So 1 trouser suit, 1 jeans, 1 very smart blouse, up to 4 t-shirts/tops. 1 pair comfortable shoes, maybe 1 dressier pair, a scarf, undies, pajamas.

I limit myself to mostly navy and white, small bits of other blue. Everything works together, less packing. Old knickers - throw away daily.

'Just don't forget to pack any knickers'

I always make a list when we are going away. This doesn't always include specific items but more like 'tops x 5'.

I also make a list of all the paperwork I will need - if we are going abroad - and toiletries etc.

I cross them off as I am packing and rarely forget anything these days.

If I have a 20kg allowance, I always pack up to about 18kg. I figure that I have that weight allowance, I might as well use it. I always leave a couple of kilos spare in case I buy something whilst I am away.

I like notspaghetti’s advice. Take half of what you think you’ll need, but ensure what you do take is mix and match.

I had a similar experience in Scotland earlier this year. I had to take off my waterproof coat and pack it away in my rucksack when walking along the front in Oban it was so warm- and it didn't rain. Only a few days but I think that was the summer!

and it was hot in July
Not July this year, this was years ago but Finland can experience hot spells in summer.

And always, always, for northern climes, a good, warm, coat and jumper/cardigan

We packed warm clothes and macs for Finland and it was hot in July. 85⁰F! However, I think the forecast is for rain next week.

The 'layered look' is best, catering for all eventualities, with a sweater/cardigan and plight mac.

Don't forget the insect repellent.

Witzend

Just don’t forget to pack any knickers - as I once did when visiting the Czech Rep. for an extended family wedding. I’ve never been so pleased in my life to see an M&S, as I did the morning after we arrived, in Prague’s Wenceslas Square.

Other than that, I’d say tops and bottoms that mostly go with each other, inc. some that can be ‘dressed up’. And always, always, for northern climes, a good, warm, coat and jumper/cardigan.

I knew my mum was starting to forget things but only realised how bad it was when we went on holiday and she didn't pack any pyjamas! I lent her a t-shirt and shorts for one night and we ordered new ones for her on-line as we were in the UK. I was so grateful for Amazon! After that I always checked her packing!

Pinterest is your friend.

Just don’t forget to pack any knickers - as I once did when visiting the Czech Rep. for an extended family wedding. I’ve never been so pleased in my life to see an M&S, as I did the morning after we arrived, in Prague’s Wenceslas Square.

Other than that, I’d say tops and bottoms that mostly go with each other, inc. some that can be ‘dressed up’. And always, always, for northern climes, a good, warm, coat and jumper/cardigan.

Sounds a lovely and different trip. I always travel in a trench coat, layered underneath and travel back in exactly the same outfit. I never bother washing anything when I’m away, particularly for a week.
Jane MacDonald advises a black and white wardrobe or brown and cream, everything matches. A little black dress is a good idea.
JackyB why would you take your slippers? A pair of socks will do.

I recently went on an island hopping holiday to Greece - 14 days of moving around so we kept our suitcases to about 18kg. I always pack quite a lot of stuff for a normal hol so I panicked it bit! But it worked well. I bought packing cubes (cheaply) off Amazon and had one for underwear, one for tops etc. I took only two pairs of shorts (trousers in Finland I imagine!) one a week. And enough t shifts for about ten days (we did washes by hand) 2 dresses for evening and a pair of nice trousers. With a washing machine you should be fine. I then bought some cheap clear toiletry bags from Amazon and used them to organise make up, medicines, hair stuff. Having very little ‘loose’ in the case seemed to make more room. As mentioned, pare down all toiletries to the smallest possible or decant. Don’t overdo shoes. Just one day pair and a nice pair for the event. Then relax and have a wonderful time.

On the return, I make a note of what I did wear leave in case for next trip, so I don't over pack.
Also what you wear travelling in, you can wash ASAP so you can wear out as an additional outfit.
Have a fabulous time

Claire AB - how exciting! It sounds a wonderful trip!

For any trip the planning of what to wear is part of the excitement for me, so I draw myself a Table and then plan how many outfits I can get out of the minimum number of pieces. Having access to a washing machine will be a big help.

I would normally aim to try and get everything into hand luggage but I appreciate 8kg isn't much when you're wanting to take presents too.

As others have said, there are lots of capsule wardrobe suggestions online, which are fun to look at, and Marie Kondo has some good packing suggestions too. 🌸

One of our cases was lost on our trip a couple of weeks ago,will always separate clothes and meds in future, it really spoiled my first few days away.
Lesson learned.

ClareAB, really? Anyone who needs 'advice' packing for a short trip - maybe shouldn't be going? I travel with just hand luggage (can't wait around for suitcases) and manage just fine - including formal wear. Try it sometime!

Thanks for the compliments on my post above. All that YouTube watching has finally paid off! If you start looking at videos with packing tips, you get recommended more and more of them, and even though I hardly travel these days. I still watch them!

Compression packing cubes don't all work with the vacuum cleaner method. Usually they have a second zip which you can zip up all round once you have packed the cube. This reduces the volume considerably. If you really want to get these, it is worth getting good quality because that second zip is under quite a bit of strain.

As Nanna8 says, always pack your hand luggage as though it's all you're taking, i.e. pack overnight requirements and a change of underwear. There is no guarantee your checked-in case will arrive with you.

You have a washing machine. Try the old- one in the wash, one clean, one on. So you need three reasonable outfits and maybe something smarter for the ceremony. I always go for trousers, top and overshirt for everyday. Add a couple of cardigans or fleeces for if it's cold. Comfortable shoes/trainers for travelling/everyday, smart for the ceremony, sandals if you wear them.
I did meet someone who put everything into those storage bags and sucked all the air out, so they took up less space. I did wonder how she managed on the return journey! But if you are taking presents it might give you more space. I haven't tried it.
Another friend goes minimal she says it doesn't matter what you wear, no one notices you anyway!

Don’t forget that you are only going to Finland, so plenty of shops to buy anything you forgot or can’t take with you.

Leave enough room to bring back gifts! These days I always pack a change of clothes in my carry on baggage as well as all medications required because they lose your cases with alarming regularity! Wear heavy coats if you need them and wear your heaviest shoes to avoid packing them.