Holiday Capsule Packing

Want to finally learn how not to take the kitchen sink with you on holiday, but don’t want to feel boring and that you ‘look like a tourist’. This is how I travelled with one bag, for one month, with no repeat outfits!

I had June in the UK and Paris. I wanted to feel good (stylish). I needed to be able to put my bag overhead on trains. So, that meant carry on-sized bag only.

To challenge my stylist skills I also set myself the goal of not repeating an outfit (a very ‘me’ thing to do my friends would tell you!)!

So, how did I do it? What will I repeat on my winter trip to London and Madrid?!! And what did I learn that will be useful for you?

What did I take?

• 5 tops (1 shirt, 2 nice tops, 2 singlets) (+ t shirt on the ✈️ I had forgotten about until brought it all together again for this photo!)

• 4 bottoms (2 jeans, 1 skirt, 1 shorts)

• 3 ‘layers’ (blazer, cardigan, shirt dress)

• 3 shoes (wedge, white sneaker, ballet)

• 2 dresses (1 nice, one beach)

• 1 Uniqlo puffer gilet, 1 hat, 1 large cotton wrap, 1 bikini

• 1 activewear tights and 2 sports bras, 2 bras and 8 undies

• Selection of earrings and bangles, and toiletries and makeup

This all fitted nicely in my carry on-sized bag, with a little room for a couple of extras on the way home. It weighed 10kg – very easily carry-able up and down stairs in stations and to lift overhead.

Lessons learnt:

#1 it was more than enough!

#2 colour theme is the key to success

#3 and the colours don’t have to be neutrals!

#4 accessories maketh the outfit

#5 carry on is enough even when the weather is unpredictable

Other thoughts:

Although different shape jeans have different purposes at home, you probably don’t need more than one pair on hols – so there would have been space for something else, or more purchases.

Having a little extra space made me much more intentional about what I did buy, that meant I was considered and the pieces are really good and really meaningful as ‘souvenirs’ – the chocolate leather coat from a thrift store in Paris looks great but, almost more importantly, is an amazing memory.

Accessories take up no space and were truly the answer to feeling stylish!

Some clothes got worn more rather than less given the hot weather, but it was good to have layers in case.

One colour-themed bag = one wash when you get home!!!

Only my bikini bottoms and a sports bra were unworn! How many times have you gotten home and half the bag never saw the light of day?

Want to look fabulous on your holidays, but pack light?!!!

DM me for help with your holiday packing!!!

Check out my ‘25 Paris & UK highlights for outfits. And carry on watching to see what I take on my January trip to London,France and Madrid!!!!!