Sunday 24 April 2016

24 April : Packing


Before we get to Granada can we pull into a lay-by, take some quick photos of the wild flowers, and have a heart to heart about holiday packing? I thought I was good at packing but I quickly realised that I had taken far too many clothes. I think it was partly because I have become used to taking cabin-sized luggage for weekend breaks and this time we had large suitcases for a longer holiday.


The other factor was that, miraculously, I have become a convert to the concept of the capsule wardrobe and after a year of planning my clothes (using help from un-fancy.com) wearing simple pieces in different combinations has become automatic. I have also noticed that my style has become more clearly defined and I think that this is because I no longer have a distinction between work and home clothes.


When I got home I made a list of all the things that I wore which I will use as a blueprint for subsequent holidays because dragging a heavy suitcase full of unnecessary clothes is no fun. Of course, MissM knew this years ago - is there anything more humbling than finally catching up with your children?

13 comments:

  1. Please share your wisdom. We could all do with holiday packing tips.

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    1. Write a list of what you need, find out what the weather is actually going to be like, don't go mad buying special holiday clothes, don't take things 'just in case'. You will be surprised how little you need.

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  2. We always go by car so just throw things into the back of it, in case we need it. I am now very undisciplined as regards packing so will be unable to fly anywhere in future.

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    1. Did you know you can go by car to Spain via Santander? Just saying.

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  3. I have a capsule wardrobe. I wear the same pair of jeans every day (I do wash them!) until they disintegrate and then I buy another pair. what do you mean that is slobbish not capsule? bother......

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    1. It is called a uniform - which is very on trend in the Minimalist Dressing posse.

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  4. When I used to travel for work I had a recurring (anxiety) dream when I had to leave in a hurry and I hadn't packed. I think it kept me on my toes as I had a good system for packing and unpacking. I travelled around Europe for six months with all my worldly possessions in a sail bag which was good training I think and nowadays I travel lighter than ever as I do not possess many clothes.

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    1. I think that at the back of my mind is the time when I had to go to a black tie event wearing my driving shoes (cold sweat thinking about it)and the time when I had a Bouillabaisse related accident on the first day of a holiday. Hence too many shoes and too many spare t shirts.

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  5. The subject of packing and travelling light has been vexing me lately as all five of us are off for a 3-week trip to the US in the summer. I do not want to be lugging heavy suitcases. Tips? Can I just say, those photos are exceedingly lovely.

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    1. Too kind!

      Very excited for your trip Stateside. I can't really advise on packing but I do know that clothes are very cheap and shopping is part of the fun for teenagers - even boys. Also hot weather and casual dressing (shorts) makes for light suitcases.

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  6. All our large suitcases are being bagged by the world travellers leaving us only the two bijou ones for our forthcoming one week trip. I need further advice. That website seems to be up for sale.

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    1. When they went away to school I bought 4 large suitcases and 2 grips from Sainsburys on special offer for £99 in total. They have survived brutal treatment including numerous trips to Africa and are still going strong, Definitely my best buy ever. (Just checked the link and it seems to work)

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    2. Thank you yes, I didn't realise it was a link and must have entered it incorrectly myself.

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