Ten tips for summer holiday packing
Holiday packing is a skill. It’s not just about what to bring and not forgetting anything, but also how you pack and that a holiday isn’t spoilt by lost items if your luggage is lost or not being able to do something as you didn’t bring the right shoes.
Ten tips on how to pack wisely for the summer season…
1. Never put anything you can’t live without in checked luggage
Where possible all medication, contact lenses, glasses, electronics and jewelry should be with you at all times.
2. Make a list of three key outfits
For a summer holiday, start with a beach, evening and day outfit, then plan the rest of your holiday wardrobe around these key items. Most of us can live with only three pairs of shoes on holiday, so be ruthless and think twice about adding any more.
3. Woollens don’t crease
Rather than that second jacket, pack an extra cardigan or jumper instead. They take up less space, are perfect for layering and won’t crease, whether in a suitcase or stuffed in a beach bag for sunset. Our women’s cardigans and men’s cardigans are perfect for day to evening wear when on holiday.
Unisex V Neck Cardigan
Cotton & Cashmere
£30 or 2 for £50
Overall star rating: 4.8
“Comfortable, easy to wear, bought the grey one as well. Wash well and hold shape. Excellent value, as always.”
“I like the appearance of this style and that the cardigan is long. I have wanted a cotton cashmere blend cardi as these are so warm and soft and great for transition weather spring to summer & possibly early autumn in Australia.”
4. Leave some room
Clothes will crease even more if they are very tightly packed. Leave some breathing room and hopefully your clothing will stand a better chance of not needing ironing, when you reach your destination. If they do crease, then hang in a steamy bathroom to let the creases fall out when you arrive.
5. Stuff shoes
Put shoes at the bottom of the suitcase and stuff with socks and underwear, then leave other small items like swimwear to squeeze into gaps at the last minute.
6. Roll clothes
Do you roll or fold? If you have a hard side suitcase then folding can be fine, but if you have a soft side case or holdall, then rolling is better. Roll similar items together and put the more creasable items on the outside.
7. Put shoes and sun cream in bags
Putting shoes and liquids in bags helps prevent any damage to clean clothes, especially for when returning home so you don’t get sand everywhere!
8. Wear any jackets or hats to the airport
There’s a good reason why you often spot the sunhat wearing holidaymaker at the departures lounge, as sunhats don’t pack well, especially the fashionable straw ones. Ideally wear your heaviest jacket and hat to the airport or if you really don’t want to, stuff hats with swimwear and underwear and pack them first to stand the best chance of suitcase survival.
9. Rethink toiletries
Don’t just pack the same toiletries every year and the same bottles of sun factor from your last summer holiday. Think about how much you’ve used them and maybe you only need one bottle of fake tan? Dispense shampoos into smaller bottles, even if you are checking in luggage and remember with most shampoo and SPF creams you can usually buy more. Also, check sell by dates on suncreams, as they don’t last forever.
10. Know your limits
Some airlines are notoriously strict on suitcase weights (normally around 20kg), so weigh your case in advance to avoid having a costly extra price tag at the airport.
All prices correct on date of publish.
