Your holiday packing list is essential to a smooth sailing holiday!
Your flights are booked, and your itinerary is sorted – now all that’s left to do is pack! While we tend to fall into two different camps: those who meticulously plan for weeks, piling up clothes as they go, and those who wait until the night before, throw everything in and hope for the best, packing doesn’t have to be a chore. If the latter sounds like you, then you’re in luck! We’ve teamed up with leading Manchester alterations specialist Alterations Boutique to create the ultimate holiday packing list. So, let’s get started!
Travel Essentials
From forgetting your passport to making sure you get your travel money well ahead of time, it’s no secret that travelling can be super stressful – but it doesn’t have to be. Having a clear idea of what to bring in your carry-on bag can help to reduce any worries.
What’s most important is the essentials – your passport, money and any insurance documents. Keeping these together in a small travel wallet can help to keep them safe and mean they’re easy to find in your bag. We’d also suggest taking photocopies and storing them elsewhere, in case anything is lost or stolen.
To make your flight that bit comfier, pack a pair of fluffy socks, a travel pillow and a thin scarf or shawl to keep you warm, along with earplugs and an eye mask if you’re planning on getting in some shuteye. We’d also always recommend taking a spare change of clothes, swimwear and underwear in your carry-on, so if your luggage goes missing, you can still head out into the sunshine.
Tech
There’s nothing more frustrating than being halfway through your journey and realising you’ve left your headphones at home or getting to your hotel only to remember that your phone charger is still plugged in next to your bed at home.
With any luck, you’ll be so busy soaking up the sun that you’ll need very little entertainment. However, if you’re someone who gets angsty quickly, investing in a kindle or e-reader is a great way to save weight in your case, and it’s super simple to download enough books to keep you occupied. If reading isn’t your thing, download films or TV shows at home before you go – airport and hotel Wi-Fi is generally very slow, so avoid any meltdowns by preparing yourself before you travel. Whatever gadgets you take, remember to take chargers for them all, as well as plug adaptors to ensure your batteries always stay full.
Just don’t forget to pack that travel adaptor!
Footwear
Comfy footwear is a must whilst on holiday, flip flops or sandals for the beach and by the pool are perfect holiday footwear but if you’re planning on lots of exploring then trainers or comfy shoes are a must. The trouble with these is that in a hot country your feet will sweat, add a pair of socks they’re going to be uncomfortable and smelly after a time. For this reason you need to make sure you have flat socks in your case (or in your shoes) these invisible socks are perfect for holidays and everyday wear. They look like insoles but replace the need for the use of socks in your shoes. They can be washed with your normal washing, they can be cut to your perfect size and they come in many designs.
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, it’s so easy to overpack – after all, we’ve all thrown random pieces into a case, only to find out that none of it actually goes together when we get there. Our best tip? Organise what you think you want to take, and then half it.
You never need as much as you may think. Depending on where you’re going, a few t-shirts, a couple of cardigans, some skirts and shorts and a few pairs of shoes should be enough to see you through a week or so. Make sure to pack the right underwear, too – there’s nothing worse than finding the perfect outfit, and then realising you have VPL, or that your bra straps are awkwardly showing.
While we all love a good pre-holiday shopping trip, the temptation to chuck it all in, tags and all, is huge. Make sure you try everything on before you go to ensure it fits. If you’ve bought the perfect outfit, but it’s not the ideal fit, why not head to a ladies alterations expert? Not only will they be able to resize pieces of clothing, but they’ll also be able to alter the hem, sleeves or buttons – so you can recycle that old summer dress to suit your current style!
Stick to a relatively simple capsule wardrobe – a few colours and everyday pieces and items that will work for both day and night. That way, you’ll have more space in your case for those all-important souvenirs!
Toiletries
Unless you’re travelling to the middle of the jungle, chances are you’ll be able to buy anything you may need when you reach your destination. Even if you have an entire cupboard dedicated to beauty back home, when it comes to holiday toiletries, less is always more. If you can’t live without certain lotions and potions, try taking only as much as you’re likely to use. Decanting toiletries into smaller containers – either bottles or even contact lens cases can help to save both weight and space inside your suitcase. Similarly, packing multi-purpose items, such as a BB cream with SPF, or a tint that can be used for both lips and cheeks, can further minimise your kit.
SOS
We’ve all been there, packed that new pair of shoes, only for them to inflict horrific blisters on the first night that last the entire duration of the trip. But don’t panic! Whether you’re suffering from heat rash or sunburn, have a particularly nasty bite or simply slipped while doing the Macarena and decided to protect your cocktail over your face, we’ve got the lowdown.
Remember the essentials: plasters, painkillers, indigestion tablets, anti-histamines and bite cream, along with any personal medications – just be sure to bring more than you need for emergencies or delays. Similarly, it’s easy to forget the little things, like a pair of scissors or tweezers and a few different sizes of safety pins for any fashion emergencies.
How do you create your holiday packing list?
A holiday packing list is essential to keep organised. If you feel organised, you’ll be stress free throughout the duration of your holiday! Do you create a holiday packing list? What goes on it? Let me know in the comments!